Huge International Names Locked In For 2017 Sydney Comedy Festival

Ready your stomach muscles — Sydney Comedy Festival have announced their first set of international and local names for their 13th event in 2017 and it's another epic group of comedic heroes.

On the international front, you can expect funnies from the likes of Ireland's Jason Byrne and David O'Doherty, UK favourites Stephen K Amos and Jimeoin, American (but honorary Aussie) Arj Barker and New Zealand's Rose Matafeo and Urzila Carlson, among a whole stack of locals you've probably already seen but can't get enough of.

Among these, Matt Okine, fresh from tapping out at triple j Breakfast, Dave Hughes, Joel Creasey, Rove McManus, Nazeem Hussain, Susie Youssef, Becky Lucas, Neel Kolkatkar, Akmal, Aunty Donna and Rhys Nicholson. 

Jorge Menidis, Sydney Comedy Festival's director, says, "We are delighted to announce the return of the biggest comedy event on Sydney's cultural calendar. The 13th Annual Sydney Comedy Festival promises to yet again deliver a festival of mirth that is bigger and better than ever before."

Sydney Comedy Festival will take over a multitude of venues for a side-splitting three weeks from 24 April to 21 May, with special events like Cracker Night and the Festival Gala taking place as usual.