Lil Rhody Laugh Riot Brings Comedy’s Biggest Names to Providence

Laughter is the best medicine, and this March, Providence gets a double dose. The inaugural Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, a four-day comedy festival, runs from March 27-30, bringing a blockbuster lineup of comedians to the Ocean State. Headliners Kevin Hart, Leslie Jones, and Aziz Ansari will transform Rhode Island into the comedy capital of the Northeast.

With a homebase of The VETS, the festival also unfolds at other venues, like the Providence Performing Arts Center and RI Comedy Connection, promising nonstop hilarity. Whether you’re a fan of comic legends or rising stars like Chris Distefano and Hannah Berner, the event guarantees laughs for every sense of humor.

“The idea for the festival emerged during the pandemic,” explains Michael Gravison, marketing director of The VETS. “After COVID, we saw how much people enjoyed coming together to laugh. This event is about creating new experiences, fostering togetherness, and establishing Rhode Island as a comedy destination for the entire region.”

The timing couldn’t be better. Alongside Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, Providence will debut the Providence Culinary Collective, a weekend-long celebration of the city’s vibrant food scene. Featuring food truck events, wine pairings, and cooking classes led by Johnson & Wales chefs, the culinary festival offers a feast of activities. 

“Providence thrives on creativity, culture, and connection,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “Pairing a comedy festival with a culinary celebration perfectly highlights the best of what our city offers.” For more information or to purchase tickets, visit LilRhodyLaughRiot.com, or Follow Lil Rhody Laugh Riot on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.

Comedy Lineup:

• Des Bishop: Thursday March 27,  7:30pm – Comedy Connection
  
• Kevin Hart: Thursday, March 27, 7:30pm – Providence Performing Arts Center
• Matt Rife: Saturday March 29 and Sunday March 30,  7pm – Comedy Connection
• Michael Blaustein: Friday, March 28, 7pm – The VETS
• Crass ‘n Class” - An Evening with Puddy and Peterman  with John O’Hurley & Patrick Warburton: Friday, March 28 at 7pm & 9:30pm – Comedy Connection
• Leslie Jones: Saturday, March 29, 4pm – The VETS
• Aziz Ansari: Saturday, March 29, 7pm – Providence Performing Arts Center
• Jonathan Van Ness: Saturday March 29 , 9:45pm – The VETS
• Ashley Gavin: Saturday March 29, 7pm as part of Triple The Laughs – The VETS
• Hannah Berner: Sunday, March 30, 7pm – The VETS
• Doug Key: Sunday, March 30, 8pm at Alchemy
•   Alex Edelman: Sunday, March 30 at 4pm - The Vets
• Chris Distefano: Sunday, March 30, 9:45pm – The VETS

Additional performers include Josh Johnson, Melissa Villaseñor, Tone Bell, Sophie Buddle, Alec Flynn, and Andy Woodhull with the date and time TBD.

Posted December 12, updated February 12; for updates, visit LilRhodyLaughRiot.com.