The 2023 Vail Comedy Festival held Memorial Day Weekend in Vail, CO was shot by talented photographers who captured the big laughs, unadulterated joy, and crazy hijinks that are only possible when a community comes together with 30+ comedians, magic and natural beauty. Thank you to our sponsors DiscoverVail.com, Moe’s BBQ and RocketFizz (Vail) for making this all possible. Nick Holmby of Dude1DK Creative and Jeff Stonic shot these images. The 2024 Vail Comedy Festival will take place May 24-26, 2024 in Vail, Colorado.
Some call it the best festival hang in the nation. Salma Zaky joins new friends Hilary Jiminez, Britt Migs and Matt Benjamin in a green room during a show.
Happy faces in special places. An audience enjoys live stand-up comedy in a beautiful lounge in an iconic hotel steps from the ski slopes.
Festival headliner Carmen Lagala does a surprise drop in spot at The Lodge At Vail.
Peter Wong and Adam Muller face off in a chess match at The Sebastian Hotel.
A free for the community outdoor magic show draws attention outside Rocketfizz Candy store by the Arrabelle.
Festival organizer Mark Masters and festival headliner Carmen Lagala get silly in a green room. Ski-doo!
Festival headliner Dustin Chafin performs to a packed audience.
Brad Sativa and Rob Haze join a live podcast taping with the Hippie Not Hippie podcast at 10th Mountain Whiskey.
Comics from around the nation crack each other up, oustside a show in progress. Pictured left to right – Dvontre Coleman (San Francisco), Jamelle Sirleaf (New York City) and Tiffany Burke (Atlanta).
Joe Stapleton is on fire in front of a capacity crowd at Christiania Hotel.
Standing room only at a live magic show that amazes and delights families during the weekend.
Merch here! Get your merch here! Festival volunteers hawk hoodies and shirts and other merchandise in Vail Village.
Festival Headliner Rob Haze closes out a late night show at Aviator Nation.
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs. Another beautiful day for this festival banner by the iconic covered bridge in Vail.
It is festival tradition to put on a free show on the eve of the festival for the community. Working locals packed Vail Brewing Company to see surprise headliner Derrick Stroup (who later in 2023 came back to Vail to perform for thousands at the Ford Amphitheater with Bert Kreischer) yell about stuff.
A kid friendly magic show helped a full room at Cucina discover joy.
A dozen comedians play peek-a-boo waiting for a show to wrap up.
Festival headliner Leah Bonnema closes out a sold-out show.
Comics, volunteers and VIP’s kick off the festival with an afternoon BBQ by Moe’s Original BBQ and drinks from 10th Mountain Whiskey, Vail Brewing Company and Proud Source water.
Audience members from around the nation take advantage of their all access badges to get some more laughs in.
Photographer Nick Holmby yields his camera for this portrait and enjoys some laughs during a headlining set.
Brad Sativa reps his home state of Tennessee with hoodie and hat while on stage during a showcase.
Nancy Norton was a surprise festival headliner in 2023.
All signs point to an incredible weekend off I-70W in Vail, CO.
Street magic is a signature part of Vail Comedy Festival, and these kids are losing their minds with magician Travis Nye.
Mark Masters reads up on the festival in The Denver Post which used a photograph of Mark and 2022 festival headliner Caitlin Peluffo.
The festival does not happen without herculean effort from a small team of volunteers, who apply to be a part of the best ski-town festival in America every year (mustache not required).