Dave Chappelle

The Riyadh Comedy Festival was a Saudi Arabian government–sponsored comedy festival held from 26 September to 9 October 2025, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The festival featured many high-profile comedians and a variety of comedy styles, such as stand-up, satire, sketch and improv. The event was announced on 23 July 2025, by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority. It was part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy to position the country as a destination for international cultural and artistic events.

David Khari Webber Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian, actor and former sketch comedian. He debuted his half-hour TV special in 1998 and his hour-long TV special in 2000. He co-created and starred in the sketch comedy series Chappelle's Show (2003–2006) on Comedy Central before quitting in the middle of production of the third season. After a hiatus, Chappelle returned to performing stand-up comedy across the United States. By 2006, Chappelle was called the "comic genius of America" by Esquire magazine and, in 2013, "the best" by a Billboard writer. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 9 in their "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time".