Toronto’s longest-running live comedy festival is back this week, and they’re celebrating their 20th year of laughs with their biggest and best event yet.
Founded in 2005, the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival (TOsketchfest) has grown to become one of the preeminent comedy events of the year in the city — made particularly so thanks to the uncertainty that Just For Laughs has faced over recent years — and they’re gearing up for yet another season of silliness.
“TOsketchfest is truly Toronto’s comedy festival,” their website reads; “of Toronto, by Toronto and for Toronto.”
Running from March 5 through the 16, the festival takes over comedy and performances across the city, with scores of the funniest folks on Toronto’s comedy scene today getting in on the action.
Entirely consisting of sketch performances and workshops, the festival comprises around 100 shows by even more performers, and you can expect to see everything from solo shows to large group extravaganzas — in other words, there’s something for everyone.
While, in my opinion, each and every event at the festival is a guaranteed hot ticket (though I may be showing my bias as a bonafide Toronto comedy groupie), there are a number of particularly exciting showcases to look out for.
The opening night gala, which takes place at the Franco Boni Theatre on West Queen West, provides a taste of what’s to come, including performances from recent Canada’s Got Talent competitors, Carson and Taylor, a solo-revue from Toronto comedian Vivek Srikanthan and Toronto Fringe and WTFestival entrant Santosh Santosh.
For the not-easily-overwhelmed viewer, may I suggest 13 Plays About ADHD All at the Same Time? If you caught yourself thinking “that has to just be the title of the show and not what they’re actually doing,” you’d be wrong. This cast of Second City alumni and DORA winners really are pulling off a feat that’ll leave you feeling like you spent 60 minutes off your meds.
If live performances aren’t really your thing, you can also catch the TOsketchfest Film Festival on March 5, where a selection of “the funniest comedy shorts from Canada and beyond,” are set to screen.
The festival’s run will also include a number of panels featuring film, television and comedy pros, as well as workshops where you can hone your skills on everything from clown work to getting an agent. Just your average, every day-type skills.
You can pick up tickets for shows at TOsketchfest 2025, view the complete performance schedule and learn more about this year’s performers by visiting the festival’s website
