The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club is preparing for the return of its NY Laughs Festival, with the second annual edition scheduled to run from June 4 to 7 across venues in Lower Manhattan and Union Square.
The event will feature a roster of established comedians including Jeff Ross, Dave Attell, Andrew Dice Clay, Mark Normand, Bret Ernst, Paul Virzi, Rachel Feinstein, Big Jay Oakerson, Matthew Broussard, Joey Dardano, Emma Willmann, Steve Rannazzisi, Caitlin Peluffo, Usama Siddiquee and Alex English, with additional performers to be announced later.
The festival opens on June 4 with Comedy in the Square, a free outdoor performance in Union Square Park running from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Live music will precede the stand-up sets in the park’s North Plaza, building on last year’s edition that attracted more than 1,000 attendees.
NYLaughs, a performing arts nonprofit focused on comedy in public spaces, is partnering with the Union Square Partnership to organize the festival. The goal, according to organizers, is to increase access to live comedy while emphasizing neighborhood connections.
“What we’re building reflects how comedy exists in New York – across different rooms, formats, and audiences,” said NYLaughs founder Suzette Simon. “The goal is to create an experience that feels accessible, dynamic, and rooted in the neighborhood.”
Performances will take place at The Stand and Irving Plaza, with additional shows planned at Joe’s Pub, Pier 57 and St. Marks Comedy Club. The festival will also include a preview of The Stand’s new location opening this summer at Chelsea Market.
The expansion to multiple venues marks a growth from the inaugural event, allowing the festival to reach different audiences across the area while maintaining its focus on accessible programming.
Organizers have described the multi-day schedule as an effort to mirror the varied comedy scene found throughout New York City, with both ticketed indoor shows and the free outdoor kickoff event.
According to the announcement from deadline.com, the festival continues to emphasize public-space performances in partnership with local organizations, a model that proved successful in drawing crowds last year.
Additional stand-up acts are expected to be added to the lineup in the coming weeks, as the event builds toward its June dates.
The festival’s structure includes both headline performances and emerging talent, reflecting a mix of established names and newer comedians such as Funny AF breakout Usama Siddiquee.
Venues like Pier 57 and St. Marks Comedy Club will host separate programs during the four-day period, providing attendees with options across different formats and locations in Lower Manhattan.
Simon noted that the programming aims to feel dynamic while staying connected to the surrounding neighborhoods, an approach that incorporates both free and ticketed elements.
The event is positioned as a way to bring world-class comedy into public and accessible settings, continuing the work of NYLaughs in creating neighborhood-focused experiences.
With the new Chelsea Market location set to open this summer, the festival’s preview events offer an early look at the expansion of The Stand’s presence in the city.