Last night marked the grand finale of the 13th annual Moontower Comedy Festival, one of the biggest comedy events in the United States. What began in 2012 as a small local comedy festival has now grown into a national celebration of humor, talent, and live entertainment.
Held in Austin, Texas, this year’s festival brought together over 150 comedians and tens of thousands of fans for nearly two weeks of unforgettable performances.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of stand-up or just enjoy good entertainment, this year’s Moontower Festival proved once again why Central Texas is the place to be for top-tier live events.
From Small Start to Big Stage: How Moontower Grew
Back in 2012, the first-ever Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival featured just 70 comedians across 12 venues in Austin. Well-known names like Steven Wright, Aziz Ansari, Maria Bamford, and Wanda Sykes helped put the event on the map.
Now, 13 years later, Aziz Ansari and Maria Bamford returned to perform again—this time joined by over 150 comedians at 14 venues, including iconic locations like The Paramount Theatre, The Creek and The Cave, and the State Theatre.
A Big Hit: Record Attendance and Economic Impact
According to Jim Ritts, CEO of the Austin Theatre Alliance, the 2025 festival attracted around 65,000 people. In an interview with KXAN, Ritts said the festival made an economic impact of between $7.5 and $10 million—a major boost for the local economy.
This shows how powerful arts and entertainment events can be, not just for fans, but also for businesses and tourism.
On Stage and Behind the Scenes: A Comedian’s View
I had the opportunity to perform at three shows during this year’s festival. Like many up-and-coming comedians, I started out at a smaller venue, Velveeta Room, where I performed alongside nine other comics in front of about 50 people.
The next night was more exciting with two back-to-back showcases, including a unique format show called “Surrounded”—a crowd work performance with the comedian in the middle and the audience all around. These kinds of shows create a fun and unpredictable vibe that keeps both performers and viewers on their toes.
Industry Attention: Big Agencies and TV Scouts Join the Crowd
The Moontower Comedy Festival isn’t just for fans—it’s also a key event for the entertainment industry. This year, agents from top talent firms like UTA and CAA, along with bookers from major shows such as The Tonight Show, attended to scout fresh talent.
For comedians looking to make it big, this is a huge opportunity to be seen by the right people.
Central Texas: The Festival Capital of the South
Moontower is just one of the many exciting events happening in Central Texas. A few weeks ago, I attended the Two Step Inn festival in Georgetown. Coming up next is Yee Yee Fest in May, which will feature Granger Smith’s only live show of the year, along with some thrilling mudbogging.
Later in the year, Temple will host its very first Tanglefoot Festival in the heart of downtown—proving that every corner of Central Texas has something special for fans of live entertainment.