You know the song in the musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” that goes “tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight”? Well, this is all about comedy tomorrow. Or more specifically, comedy weeks and months from now.
That’s OK, though. Good comedy is worth waiting for, whether it’s a powerful punch line with a long lead-in or a bunch of bona fide performers who’ll be coming to Vermont between early winter and the precipice of autumn.
We’ve chosen 13 comedy shows — a dozen in Burlington and one in Essex Junction — that your humerus might find humorous. (As in, they could tickle your funny bone.) Some names are instantly recognizable. Others might make you furrow your brow and go, “Who?”
All could help you put aside your little personal tragedies until tomorrow so you can enjoy yourself eventually with some comedy tonight.
A night with Michael Blaustein
7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, comedian-podcaster Michael Blaustein hits the stage at the Flynn, Burlington. $37-$100.50. flynnvt.org
Comedy showcase at Radio Bean
7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, the monthly comedy showcase “Live, Laugh, Lava” is hosted by Alex St. Louis and welcomes local and touring comedians on the third Thursday of every month to Radio Bean, Burlington. $5. radiobean.com
Chloe Radcliffe takes five in Burlington
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31, New York comic Chloe Radcliffe — “the girl with the birthmark,” as she says in one of her routines — stays for five shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com
The Flynn welcomes Kathy Griffin
7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, comedian and actor Kathy Griffin brings her tour to the Flynn, Burlington. $47-$89.25. flynnvt.org
‘Dreamboat’ Stavros Halkias docks Burlington
8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, Netflix star and podcaster Stavros Halkias includes a stop on “The Dreamboat Tour” in a show presented by Higher Ground at the Flynn, Burlington. $42.50-$63.50. highergroundmusic.com or flynnvt.org
Follow Fortune Feimster to the Flynn
7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, stand-up comic and actor Fortune Feimster makes up for her postponed October 2025 appearance when she and her “Takin’ Care of Biscuits” tour arrive at the Flynn, Burlington. $48.25-$79.75. flynnvt.org
Midwestern humor in the Northeast from Charlie Berens
7 p.m., Thursday, March 12, comedian and New York Times bestselling author of “The Midwest Survival Guide” Charlie Berens hits the Flynn, Burlington. $50-$107.50. flynnvt.org
Three days with Sam Jay
6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21; 8:30 p.m., Friday, March 20 through Saturday, March 21, HBO and Peacock series star Sam Jay does five shows in three nights at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com
Kelsey Cook books Burlington shows
7 p.m., Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18; 9 p.m., Friday, April 17 through Saturday, April 18, Hulu and YouTube comedy-special star (and top-notch foosball player) Kelsey Cook visits the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $30. vermontcomedyclub.com
Nick Offerman turns two
4 and 7 p.m., Sunday, April 19, comedian, author and TV star Nick Offerman — he portrays Vermont-born President Chester Arthur on the Netflix series “Death by Lightning” — returns to Vermont for two shows presented by Higher Ground at the Flynn, Burlington. $39-$74.50. (7 p.m. show is sold out). highergroundmusic.com or flynnvt.org
Josh Blue comedy in Burlington
7 p.m., Thursday, May 28, through Saturday, May 30, and 9 p.m., Saturday, May 30, he had his breakthrough on “Last Comic Standing,” and Josh Blue will be standing on stage for four shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $35. vermontcomedyclub.com
Getting weird with Al Yankovic
7:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, he fits in multiple genres — you’ll also find this show in our list of live music to look forward to in 2026 — but comedy definitely rules with “Weird Al” Yankovic, who’ll be presented with Puddles Pity Party by Higher Ground on the midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $69.50; free general-admission tickets for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
‘Tall Tales’ by Brad Williams
7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, Brad Williams — on X (formerly known as Twitter) he calls himself “father/husband/comedian/part-time dwarf” — brings his “Tall Tales” tour to the Flynn, Burlington. $32-$72. flynnvt.org
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at [email protected].
