Festival
Jon Stewart, Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, SNL’s Mikey Day, Streeter Seidell and more set to appear at National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Aug 7-10
The National Comedy Center, the nation’s museum and cultural institution dedicated to comedy, announced today that Jon Stewart, Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, SNL’s Mikey Day & head writer Streeter Seidell are among the comedic performers to descend on Jamestown, New York for its annual festival.
“An Evening with Jon Stewart” will take place on Saturday, August 9, with Stewart bringing his incisive stand-up comedy to the stage. On Sunday, August 10, a Stand-Up Showcase to be followed by a Rock ‘n’ Blues concert featuring Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers will fill the arena with an evening of comedy and music — a live blues and classic rock performance along with stand-up by some of today’s top talent from around the country.
“Jon Stewart is one of the most influential comedic voices of our time — providing his signature social commentary at a pace responsive to the news cycle, while deeply thoughtful about our shared humanity,” said Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director.
“I’ve said comedy is an iterative business and a grind; and that the best amongst us just keep at it. I’m glad there’s a museum and national archive that strives to honor that, and I look forward to seeing how the National Comedy Center tells the story of this great art form that survives every moment,” said Jon Stewart.
“Bill Murray entered our comedy consciousness in 1977 and never left,” Gunderson added. “Whether you encountered his genius as a sketch comedian on SNL or came to know him through films considered ‘required reading’ in many households including mine, from Caddy Shack to Stripes to Ghostbusters to Groundhog Day to What About Bob and more, he’s left an indelible mark and an incomparable legacy. We’re thrilled to have him headline an incredible evening of music while he shares the spotlight with his phenomenal Blood Brothers band.”
The festival lineup will also feature Saturday Night Live cast member and writer Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidell, who will join the National Comedy Center for an on-stage dialogue curated for comedy’s national archive, offering an inside look at the ground-breaking show as the festival honors SNL’s 50th anniversary and explores its lasting impact on comedy. Seidell and Day’s visit also commemorates the “Washington’s Dream” sketch cue cards being accessioned into the National Comedy Center’s museum.
“It’s an incredible honor to be invited to the National Comedy Center, along with my friend and writing partner, Mikey Day, to talk about the craft of comedy. And an even greater honor to have some of our work preserved in the Center’s archive alongside that of our heroes. That honestly seems like a mistake on the Center’s part but we’re going to roll with it until they realize their error,” stated Streeter Seidell.
Tickets for “An Evening with Jon Stewart” and “Stand-Up Showcase Featuring Music by Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers” will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members Friday, April 25 at 10 am ET through Thursday, May 1. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, May 2 at 10 am ET, at ComedyCenter.org. Both events will take place at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown, NY.
Tickets will also go on sale for the SNL on-stage dialogue event, as well as Late Night comedy shows, Lucy legacy events and more — all part of a festival that celebrates comedy’s contemporary stars and rising talent from across the country, while honoring comedy’s great heritage.
“Our festival will pay tribute to the best of comedy’s past and present with performances from the nation’s best stand-ups, block parties with live music, Lucy celebration events — over 50 live events over four days,” stated Malachi Livermore, Vice President, Programming and Guest Experiences.
To become a National Comedy Center Member in order to gain first access to available seats during the pre-sale ticket window, visit ComedyCenter.org/membership or call the National Comedy Center at 716.484.2222. Memberships start at $75 and provide year-round benefits including a “season pass” for visiting the award-winning National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York.
Jon Stewart is the longtime host and executive producer of The Daily Show, where he redefined political satire and became a trusted voice for a generation, earning over 20 Emmy Awards in the process. Known for his incisive wit, fierce intelligence, and ability to cut through the noise with humor and clarity, Stewart’s influence extends beyond television. As a producer and director, he’s worked on a range of projects, including the acclaimed Irresistible, and as a podcast host, Stewart has continued to engage audiences with thoughtful commentary on the issues that shape our world. After stepping down from The Daily Show in 2015, Stewart made a highly anticipated return in 2024, hosting weekly and resuming his role as executive producer. Recently, Stewart has returned to stand-up comedy, bringing his unfiltered perspective and razor-sharp observations back to the stage. His rare live appearances have been met with sold-out crowds and critical acclaim, demonstrating that his comedic voice is as powerful as ever.
Bill Murray is collaborating with The Blood Brothers — award-winning musicians Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia — and guitarist and longtime Conan O’Brien late night show bandleader Jimmy Vivino, for a truly unique performance that blends his creative energy and love of blues and rock with their powerful, soulful sound. Murray first captivated audiences with his groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live. Known for his unique blend of deadpan humor, irreverent wit, and improvisational genius, Murray quickly became a staple of American comedy. From his iconic roles in Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, and Caddyshack, to his more dramatic performances in Lost in Translation, The Razor’s Edge, and Rushmore, Murray has showcased a remarkable range as an actor. His ability to seamlessly blend absurdity with poignant, heartfelt moments has earned him numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Lost in Translation. Most recently, Murray made memorable appearances in NBC’s acclaimed SNL50: The Anniversary Special and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert. Murray’s musical talents are also a vital part of his creative expression, blending seamlessly with his work across film and comedy.
Mikey Day joined Saturday Night Live as writer in 2013, became a featured player in 2016 and a main cast member in 2018. Streeter Seidell joined the SNL writing staff in 2104 and became head writer in 2022. Together, they have written many of the most acclaimed SNL sketches of the past decade, including the “Washington’s Dream” sketch featuring Nate Bargatze, now regarded as one of the best sketches of all time.
The acclaimed National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum are both welcoming visitors throughout the festival with over 50 interactive experiences providing laughter for all ages —the experience named one of TIME’s “World’s Greatest Places”, USA Today’s “Best New Museum”, and U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways.” Advanced purchase of museum admission is recommended to avoid sellout. Admission tickets may be purchased while purchasing festival event tickets.
The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is presented by the National Comedy Center and embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown, Jamestown, New York, to be a destination for the celebration of the comedic arts and to showcase new comedic talent from around the country. The festival attracts over 15,000 attendees annually from nearly every state in the country, who come together to share laughter while honoring the craft and contributors on stage at dozens of venues throughout Jamestown, including the National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
Now in its 35th year, the festival has featured comedy’s greatest stars and rising young comedians and has welcomed over 300 artists to Jamestown, NY, including Jerry Seinfeld, Lily Tomlin, Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, Taylor Tomlinson, Jeff Foxworthy, Gabriel Iglesias, Jay Leno, Sebastian Maniscalco, Amy Schumer, Nicole Byer, David Spade, Margaret Cho, Brian Regan, Ellen DeGeneres, Lewis Black, W. Kamau Bell, Jim Gaffigan, Kevin Nealon, Paula Poundstone, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers. and more than one hundred other comedic artists.
Check back here for full schedule and tickets – coming soon.
Want First Chance at Tickets for Festival?
Become a Member and receive access to the pre-sale, as well as unlimited admission to the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum for 12 months. Members also get discounts on merchandise and retail items at both museum stores (on-premise and online).
Interested in becoming a Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Sponsor? Contact our Sponsorship Team at [email protected] to explore sponsor packages and benefits.