No joke, these are 15 best comedy shows coming to Philly this fall

Amid global mayhem and disorder, the comforting distraction of a comedy show is always welcome.

Whether it’s a witty punch line or a well-timed quip, comedy has the power to help us better understand our world or forget about the sadness that exists within it.

Lucky for you, this fall features a lineup of world-class acts and emerging comics who will perform at clubs and theaters in the region.

Here’s a list of the comedy shows we’re most excited about.

There aren’t a lot of things guaranteed in life, but at least three are certain: death, taxes, and a shirtless Bert Kreischer. The Florida-born comedian is bringing his wild, no-holds-barred brand of comedy to the Met Philadelphia for his “Permission to Party World Tour.” He will perform back-to-back nights at the historic venue. ticketmaster.com.

Kathy Griffin, the Emmy-winning comedian and queen of the celebrity D-list, is back in the region for a one-night-only show in Glenside. Catch the fiery redhead in action at the Keswick Theatre. keswicktheatre.com.

Check the Richter scale when comedian Earthquake descends onto Rivers Casino this fall. The veteran comic is bringing his brash, quick-hit humor to the Fishtown venue for a seismic night of laughter. riverscasino.com.

Jim Jeffries, the Australian comic best known for starring in FX’s Legit and heading his own late-night talk show on Comedy Central, returns to the region for his “Son of a Carpenter” tour. axs.com.

Joanne McNally, who’s headlined sold-out shows in her native Ireland and other parts of the world, is bringing her dark, edgy comedy to Philly this fall. She’s stopping by Punch Line in support of her “Pinotphile” show all Halloween weekend. ticketmaster.com.

Comedian and master impressionist Matt Friend, who can embody folks from President Donald Trump to Jeff Goldblum, Andy Cohen, and King Charles III on command, is hitting the stage at Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester. ticketmaster.com.

When comedian Tony Baker isn’t roasting your favorite comic or putting on his film critic cap, he’s gracing the comedy stage. The veteran stand-up is slated for a three-night stint at Punch Line Philly this fall. ticketmaster.com.

Comic Chris D’Elia, who’s notched hit specials, TV shows, and global tours through his nearly 20-year career, will wrap up a string of European shows before dropping into Parx Casino for his “Go For It The Tour.” Catch the stand-up in action this November. axs.com.

Not every social media-based comic can succeed on the stand-up stage, but Chicago’s Mojo Brookzz has made the transition look easy. His compelling stories and impressive crowd work, which draw millions of views online, is why he’s become one of the fastest rising stars in the comedy game. Catch him at the Met Philadelphia for his “Outta Pocket Comedy Tour.” livenation.com.

Anyone who’s tuned into comedian Tim Dillon’s Netflix special, or listens to his hit podcast, knows there are very few boundaries that he won’t cross. The Long Island-born stand-up constantly delivers steaming-hot political and cultural takes, and the crowd at Parx Casino can expect the same blend of bold commentary and observational humor this fall. tix.axs.com.

Don’t be fooled: comedian Craig Robinson, known for roles in The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, and Pineapple Express, is certainly a recognizable face in film and TV. But he made his bones on the comedy stage. He is rolling into Philly to perform at the Helium Comedy Club. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com.

Hershey’s own Michelle Wolf, who racked up writing credits as a contributor for Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah before landing her own Netflix special, is heading to Bensalem’s Parx Casino this December. The Emmy-nominated comic will discuss everything from motherhood to gender roles, politics, and menopause during her “Best Job in the World” tour stop. axs.com.

From her late night stand-up debut on Conan to being added on the New York Times’ “Best Comedy of 2024″ list, it’s safe to say Emily Catalano is drawing national attention. The Los Angeles-based stand-up is dropping into Center City for three nights at Helium Comedy Club. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com.

Emmy-winning comic Jim Gaffigan, whose decades-long career spans TV and film, hits the comedy stage for his “Everything Is Wonderful” tour. The veteran comic will perform all new material, complete with the same sly delivery, across three shows and two nights at Miller Theater. ensembleartsphilly.org.

Tommy Davidson, whose Martin spinoff series, Varnell Hill, premiered this month on Paramount+, is back on the stand-up circuit. The longtime comedian will perform three nights at the Helium Comedy Club to close out this year’s fall lineup. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com.