There’s plenty of laughs to be had this holiday season in Jacksonville, we’ve studied the landscape and compiled a list of five high-quality comedy gigs happening around town this month. From an independent short film festival to standup comedy shows featuring national and local talent to improv comedy for a good cause, there’s something for all comedic tastes.

Ongoing

The Blue Show at First Coast Comedy
Leave the kids at home for this adults only late night improv comedy show where no topic is too racy. The comedians will take on any suggestion, no matter how crude or provocative, and craft improv gold out of them across a series of fast-paced scenes and games. $15. 10 p.m. 2292 Mayport Rd. Jacksonville, FL; firstcoastcomedy.com // @firstcoastcomedy

12.10

The Naughty or Nice Holiday Film Fest at the San Marco Theatre
This special mini film festival will feature over an hour of holiday themed five-minute short films made by Jacksonville-based filmmakers. Enjoy a slew of well-crafted shorts and plenty of holiday refreshments before celebrity judges select winners and hand out special awards at the after party. Get to know your local film community and catch what are sure to be hilarious, joyful, and spectacular holiday shorts from some of the best up-and-coming creators in town. $12.50. 7 p.m. 1996 San Marco Blvd. Jacksonville, FL; sanmarcotheatre.com // @sanmarcomovietheatre

12.15, 12.16 +12.17

Preacher Lawson at The Comedy Zone
After an unforgettable run on season 12 of “America’s Got Talent,” Preacher Lawson has found a ton of success performing standup and acting all over the place. Alongside appearances on HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” NBC’s “Connecting” and “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” Lawson also has amassed over 3 million TikTok followers and hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers. He recently wrapped up a stint hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas and has since spent a ton of time on the road, performing at clubs all around the country. $25-$35. Multiple times. 3130 Hartley Rd. Jacksonville, FL; comedyzone.com // @comedyzonejax

12.17

Comedy Night at Veterans United Craft Brewing
Happening the third Saturday of every month at Veterans United Craft Brewing, Comedy Night is a free show featuring a variety of local and touring stand up comics performing in their jam packed taproom. Be sure to show up early and hungry to enjoy eats from local food truck The Groovy Ladle. Free. 8 p.m. 8999 Western Way #104 Jacksonville, FL; vubrew.com // @vubrew

12.18

Unscripted Comedy in the Limelight: A Holiday Extravaganza at the Limelight Theatre
Local improv comedy troupe The Adventure Project bring you a holiday themed improv show featuring a special guest appearance from musical improv collective More Cowbell. Expect a fully improvised musical, holiday cheer, and plenty of laughs at this celebration of unscripted comedy. $10; Sunday December 18th at 7:30 p.m.; 11 Old Mission Ave. St Augustine, FL; limelight-theatre.org // @limelightstaug

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