Riyadh Comedy Festival

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The Riyadh Comedy Festival (Arabic: مهرجان الرياض للكوميديا) was a Saudi Arabian government–sponsored comedy festival held from 26 September to 9 October 2025, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The festival featured many high-profile comedians and a variety of comedy styles, such as stand-up, satire, sketch and improv. The event was announced on 23 July 2025, by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. It was part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy to position the country as a destination for international cultural and artistic events. The event drew criticism due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, as well as the censorship rules contractually imposed on the performers. Several comedians who were invited to perform declined and spoke out against it. Human rights organizations urged performers to speak out against any human rights abuses and not be complicit in any whitewashing of such abuses.

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