Ashland Sarcasm Festival

ASHLAND, OR — Get ready for a weekend of razor-sharp wit, bold laughs, and unfiltered fun. Storytown Ashland, in partnership with Epic Ashland, proudly presents the inaugural Ashland Sarcasm Festival (ASF!), a three-day celebration of comedy, satire, and smart irreverence coming to downtown Ashland December 5-7, 2025.

From nationally recognized headliners at the historic Angus Bowmer Theatre to intimate late-night shows at beloved downtown venues, ASF! will transform Ashland into Southern Oregon's premier comedy destination with stand-up, musical comedy, improv, drag performances, live game shows, and an unmatched spirit of comedic mischief.

"This festival is our love letter to Ashland's clever, quirky soul—and to the power of laughter to bring us together," said Matt Hoffman, Creative Director of Storytown Ashland. "ASF! brings a national spotlight to our town, elevates our creative community, and offers a brand-new cultural experience rooted in sharp storytelling that celebrates the irreverent."

Epic Nights of Comedy: Friday & Saturday at Angus Bowmer Theatre

The centerpiece of ASF! features Epic Nights of Comedy—four unforgettable headliner shows at the Angus Bowmer Theatre, presented by Epic Ashland.

Friday, December 5 | 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM

• Headliner: Moshe Kasher — Emmy-nominated comedian, author, and podcast host known for his sharp observational humor and appearances on Conan, The Tonight Show, and Chelsea Lately

• Opener: Amy Miller — Nationally touring comedian and podcast host (Who's Your God?)

• Host: Carl Lee

Saturday, December 6 | 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM

• Headliner: Ron Funches — Beloved comedian and actor known for his uniquely uplifting and hilarious perspective

• Opener: Jared Goldstein — Rising comedian with credits including Comedy Central and tours with top national acts

• Host: Jay Light

Downtown Venues Transform into Comedy Hotspots

Beyond the main stage, ASF! spreads across downtown Ashland with comedy shows at intimate venues:

Friday, December 5

7:00 PM | Music & Comedy at Liquid Lounge - Connor Reese

8:00 PM | WRONG! A F*cked Up Game Show at White Rabbit with host: Jay Light

8:30 PM | Stand-Up Comedy at Resistance Wine Co.- Monica Nevi & Luke Null with Lynette Manning

10:00 PM | Stand-Up Showcase at Local 31 Pub - Sam Miller & Adam Pasi with Julia Corral (Host: Levi Anderson)

Saturday, December 6

12:00-5:00 PM | Sarcasm Hub at White Rabbit: Improv shows, festival merch, family-friendly activities

7:00 PM | Hick to Hamlet at Resistance Wine Co. with Ty Boice

8:00 PM | Dungeons & Drag Queens at Ashland Springs Hotel

8:00 PM | Stand-Up Comedy at Liquid Lounge - Sam Miller, Jared Goldstein & Lynette Manning (Host: Nick Meier)

9:00 PM | Stand-Up Comedy at Brickroom - Luke Null & DJ Sandhu and Julia Corral (Host: Carl Lee)

Sunday, December 7

11:00 AM | Drag Brunch at Bar Juillet - Queen Kylie Mooncakes and Amy Miller

A Festival That Could Only Happen in Ashland

What sets ASF! apart is its commitment to showcasing comedy in all forms—from traditional stand-up to commedia dell'arte, drag performances, live Dungeons & Dragons gameplay, and one-person shows. The festival brings together comedians from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the Pacific Northwest, while partnering with beloved local businesses including Brickroom, White Rabbit, Local 31 Pub, Liquid Lounge, Skout Taphouse, Drift Collective, Columbia Hotel, Resistance Wine Co., Ashland Springs Hotel, Bar Juillet, and Bloomsbury.

"We know what world-class theater looks like in Ashland—it's been here for decades," Hoffman notes. "Now we're creating a world-class comedy festival in a way only Ashland can, with our incredible downtown venues, natural beauty, and the magic of wintertime all woven together. We're not trying to be like every other comedy festival. We're Ashland. We think differently. That's why we're calling it a Sarcasm Festival."

Cultural and Economic Impact

"The Ashland Sarcasm Festival is more than a comedy event—it's a cultural statement," said Jim Fredericks, Board Chair of the Ashland Cultural & Economic Alliance. "We're launching ASF! as a signature Storytown event to drive tourism during the winter season, energize local businesses, and position Ashland as a creative capital for bold new ideas and storytelling year-round."

The festival represents Storytown Ashland's vision to establish the city as a thriving, year-round cultural destination beyond its renowned theater scene. With comedy establishing a foothold in December, the organization aims to grow ASF! annually while continuing to bring diverse, story-driven programming to Ashland throughout the calendar year.

Festival Details

• Dates: Friday-Sunday, December 5-7, 2025

• Primary Venue: Angus Bowmer Theatre (Epic Nights of Comedy)

• Additional Venues: 10+ locations across downtown Ashland

• Programming: Stand-up comedy, improv, musical comedy acts, interactive game shows, drag performances, live D&D gameplay, late-night sets

• Tickets & Information: SarcasmFest.com

• Social Media: @AshlandSarcasmFest on Instagram

About Storytown Ashland

Storytown Ashland, operated by the nonprofit Ashland Cultural & Economic Alliance (ACEA), is dedicated to reimagining Ashland as a thriving, year-round cultural destination. Through curated events and soon to be launched the Storytown App, Storytown plans to bring together locals, tourists, and storytellers from the worlds of film, food, music, art, comedy, and theater to celebrate the stories that define us. Learn more at StorytownAshland.com.

About Epic Ashland

Epic Ashland is a nonprofit organization represented by a group of local business owners dedicated to bringing fun, family-friendly events and experiences to Ashland, and with it fostering thriving community. In the last two years Epic Ashland has organized Summer Sounds music concerts that each has attracted over 2,000 attendees. Epic Nights of Comedy at the Angus Bowmer Theatre are another new project meant to bring locals and visitors together during winter season.

Press Contact

Karolina Lavagnino Head of Marketing & PR Phone: 541-944-0592 Email: Karolina@goWildThyme.com Web: SarcasmFest.com