THE Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) has revealed 2024 was a record-breaking year for the event with the highest number of shows in its history. 

Hosting more than 560 shows across 19 days, GICF issued 50,000 tickets to festivalgoers in more than 50 venues across the city. The shows demonstrated the very best of comedy, encompassing traditional stand-up alongside children's shows, drag performances, live podcasts, musical comedy, clowning and more. 

The final shows of the festival took place on Easter Sunday, including homegrown talent Some Laugh Live at the Pavilion Theatre with special guests Greg Hemphill and Raymond Mearns, and a sold-out show at The Stand for Susan Riddell.

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The closing weekend also saw the announcement of Susie McCabe as this year's winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with the comedian receiving a personal message from Sir Billy himself at the GICF Comedy Gala. 

Susie was presented the award by festival director Krista MacDonald, Elaine C Smith and 2023's winner Janey Godley and she received a standing ovation followed by an emotional speech on the King's Theatre stage. 

Organisers have now revealed GICF 2025 will take place from Wednesday, March 12 until Sunday, March 30. 

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Krista said: "As a record-breaking GICF comes to a close, I’d like to extend a huge thanks to everybody who makes Scotland’s largest dedicated comedy event happen; from staff at our incredible venues, audiences who make trips all over the city to see shows, partners, stakeholders, our small in-house team and of course the acts who give so much of themselves on stage - it’s a combined effort to ensure Glasgow can claim its title as the funniest city in the world.

"With over 560 shows and over 50,000 tickets issued, GICF is well on its way to achieving our three-year growth plan within its second year, put in place to ensure Glasgow’s comedy festival can go from strength to strength and continue to support homegrown talent whilst welcoming huge international touring names to the city. 

"At a time when acts and audiences are facing tighter budgets and less disposable income, we saw more people than ever come out to support shows across the festival, proving that with everything going on in the world, there’s always a demand for laughter. 

"With Susie McCabe’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award win this year, we saw Susie’s innate comedic talent celebrated, something which she has widely accredited to the city of Glasgow itself.

"The city’s inherent ability to laugh, and provide laughter, is something we should all be incredibly proud of.

"A huge congratulations to all of this year’s acts and we’re looking forward to building on the success of 2024 for next year."

Bailie Annette Christie, Glasgow Life chair, added: "GICF is one of the city’s most renowned and most popular cultural events, and this year’s 21st edition has been a real triumph. 

"The success of the biggest-ever festival in the history of the event is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of the GICF team.

"They pulled out all the stops to deliver a packed programme offering a wonderfully diverse range of comedy from stand-up to sketches, improv to music and family fun.

"And the superb line-up of established and emerging comedy talent – from Scotland, the UK and overseas – attracted and delighted audiences from near and far.

"GICF24 has, I have no doubt, boosted the festival’s international billing on the worldwide comedy stage, and further enhanced the city’s reputation as a superb destination for first-class entertainment and show-stopping events."