Just for Laughs

Just for Laughs is a comedy extravaganza scheduled each year for the month of August in Montreal, Canada. Also known by its French title, Juste Pour Rire, Just for Laughs is quite justifiably considered the largest comedy festival in the world, attracting literally millions of visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the A-list cast of comedians that descend on the city each year and to enjoy endless forms of humor for a full month. Just for Laughs is also known as Juste pour rire.

History

In 1983, a two-day French comedy event was first held in Montreal, organized by Gilbert Rozon. Two years later, a new name - Andrew Nulman - joined the festival's staff list and the idea to create an English version of Just for Laughs was born. Nulman eventually expanded the Just for Laughs festival to a full month, accommodating French comedy in the first two weeks of the show under the Juste Pour Rire title, and the Just for Laughs English line up in the second half. Since then, Just for Laughs is considered the number one comedy festival anywhere in the world, drawing huge names from Hollywood and other entertainment capitals who arrive to perform or sign up new talent.

Things to do at Just for Laughs Festival

The Festival is generally scattered throughout the city of Montreal, with a significant concentration of shows and performances in the artsy Latin Quarter. Street performers thrill the crowd during the day, and at night the city's pubs, theaters and other live venues are filled to capacity to hear the world's top comedians perform their acts. This is the perfect opportunity for young and rising talent to be 'discovered' and visitors can be assured of razor-edge wit and brilliant humor as comedians try and impress talent scouts and agents.

Previous years have seen delightful activities during the month long Just for Laughs Festival, including a carnival with spectacular floats. In 2008, the event attracted two million visitors to its outdoor site over the course of 11 days. 350 artists from ten different countries around the globe took part in 1,200 shows, beating all previous records and ensuring that the festival remains high above the rest when it comes to comedy events.

The Comedia Film Festival

Not only live comedy is present at the Just for Laughs Festival. Visitors can enjoy a the Comedia – a comedy film festival, first introduced in 1996, which pays tribute to funny short films, feature films and documentaries.

Famous Participants

The Just for Laughs festival has attracted, and will continue to attract, some of the industry’s top names in comedy. These include:

• Jerry Seinfeld
• Tim Allen
• Bill Cosby
• John Cleese
• Rowan Atkinson
• Jerry Springer

Just for Laughs

For lovers of comedy, there seems to be no other festival in the world that supports this art as much as the annual Just for Laughs event does. Visitors are kept regaled with laughter as act surpasses act with true genius, wit and humor. For anyone planning a visit to Montreal in the summer, this is an absolute must on any itinerary.

Location:
Just for Laughs
2101 St-Laurent Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Phone: (514) 845-3155
Box Office: (514) 845-2322

Click here to visit Just for Laughs official website.