San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival
This November, Astronaut City proudly launches the first-ever San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival — a multi-day celebration of laughter, community, and rising comedic talent. Each night, audiences will experience a fresh lineup featuring up-and-coming comics and established stars, all sharing the stage in an intimate, high-energy setting right in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. From sharp observational humor to bold experimental sets, the festival brings together a diverse mix of voices that reflect the humor, grit, and heart of our local scene.
What makes the SGV Comedy Festival unique is its interactive competition — where audiences help shape the outcome. Each show, spectators cast votes for their favorite performer, while a panel of guest judges selects their top pick of the night. At the festival’s finale, two champions will be crowned: the Audience Favorite and the Judges’ Choice — with the chance for one exceptional comic to win both titles with a grand prize of $2,000. Whether you’re discovering the next big name in comedy or just coming for the laughs, the San Gabriel Valley Comedy Festival is your ticket to be part of local comedy history.
COMEDY CONTEST RULES - 2025
Entry & Participation
The contest’s first round will take place, Friday November 14 to Friday November 21, 2025. There will be eight shows, with 10 comedians each show. Each comic will get 6 minutes to perform comedy. Participants can be at all levels, from open micers to professionals.
Judge’s Favorite (chosen by the judges) 1st place will advance to next round.
Audience Favorite (determined by audience vote) 1st place & 2nd place will advance to next round.
If there is overlap between the Judge’s and Audience Favorite, the next place in the Audience vote will advance to ensure three unique contestants per show advance to the next round.
Quarter-Finals
Twenty-four unique winning comics will advance to the quarter-finals, which take place November 22-23, 2025. There will be 2 shows with 12 comics each. Each comic will be given 7 minutes to perform.
Judge’s Favorite (chosen by the judges) 1st & 2nd place will advance to next round.
·Audience Favorite (determined by audience vote) 1st & 2nd place will advance to next round.
If there is overlap between the Judge’s and Audience Favorite, the next place in the Audience vote will advance to ensure four unique contestants per show advance to the next round.
Semi-Finals
Eight unique winning comics will advance to the semi-finals, which take place November 24, 2025. Each comic will be given 10 minutes to perform.
Judge’s Favorite (chosen by the judges) 1st & 2nd place will advance to next round.
·Audience Favorite (determined by audience vote) 1st & 2nd place will advance to next round.
If there is overlap between the Judge’s and Audience Favorite, the next place in the Audience vote will advance to ensure four unique contestants advance to the next round.
Finals
Four unique winning comics will advance to the finals, which take place November 25, 2025. Each comic will be given 15 minutes to perform.
Judges favorite (chosen by the judges) will win $1,000.
Audience Favorite (determined by audience vote) will will $1,000.
The same comic can win both prizes, equaling $2,000 total.
**Rules, show format, and scheduling are subject to change at the discretion of the organizers. While adjustments may occur, we are committed to maintaining the integrity, fairness, and spirit of the competition throughout.