In a city known for its comedy, Winterlewd aims to offer a different type of comedy festival.

Winterlewd is:

• Unapologetically Queer: Winterlewd disrupts business-as-usual where queer and trans people are seen as punchlines and easy targets for untalented comedy bros (you know who you are)

• Beautifully Bilingue: Winterlewd embraces Franglais. In a city where at least half of residents are bilingual, Winterlewd challenges the needless separation of Montréal’s French and English comedy communities. 

• Multi-format: Winterlewd platforms any and all forms of comedy, whether its stand up, clowning, improv, film, ventriloquism, magic … you name it!

• A breeding (lol) ground for new talent: Winterlewd offers workshops, professional development, and low-barrier production opportunities for new and emerging comedians and producers.

One of Montréal’s most stories and (in)famous neighbourhoods, the festival is set in the Village for multiple reasons:

• Offering inclusive programming: Ironically, the Village is not known to be inclusive to much of the queer community, outside of cis gay men (love you guys, tho). Winterlewd’s programming serves queer community more broadly. 

• Animating the slow season: For many, the Village is a place to be visited during August’s Fierté festival. Winterlewd aims to draw people back to neighbourhood at a time when business is slow. 

• Supporting local economy: real estate speculation and prohibitive commercial rents has displaced many beloved small businesses and community-serving organizations. As much as possible, Winterlewd is committed to supporting locally-owned small business, social entreprises, and non-profits in all facets of procurement. Much of 2025’s programming is located in non-profit venues.

• Buying tickets and festival passes: This is where the majority of our revenue comes from!

• Sponsorship: Otherwise, we are always seeking value-aligned sponsors who appreciate our vision. Get in touch to support this year, or the next!

• Promotion: we are happy to speak with the media and journalists about the festival. Please help us get the word out!

• Volunteering: There are many opportunities for volunteers. Reaching out at the email below to know more!

The festival is a project of Bulge Comedy, a non-profit, who oversees overall direction of the project. The programming is made possible through the contributions of 10 different event producers.

We see accessibility as multifaceted:  physical, financial, and social.

Physical: Most of our programming is located in physically accessible facilities. You can read more about specific venues below:

• Théâtre la Comedie de Montréal

• Théâtre Sainte Catherine

• Robin des Bois

• L’Étage

• Turbo Haus (not wheelchair accessible)

Financial: We aim to offer programming that is affordable to most. In the event you cannot afford the price of a ticket, you may reach out for a no-cost ticket. 

Social: We do not support acts that that perpetuate racist, transphobic, or otherwise oppressive beliefs.

These topics, however, are certainly not off limits. Comedy can grapple with the ugliness of the world, with the unique advantage of comic relief.

Social: Our mission is to create an inclusive comedy festival and we take responsibility for our programming.  If you feel that our programming is harmful or goes against our mission of creating an inclusive comedy space, we welcome your feedback.