Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival

The first few weeks of the new year in Chicago are usually cold and dark, so having an excuse to laugh is probably a good thing. You'll find plenty of funny folks onstage at the country's largest sketch comedy festival, where more than 120 shows will be presented over the course of eight days. This year's lineup features Parv and Pudi (featuring Danny Pudi from Community), recent subjects of an HBO documentary Asperger’s Are Us, Los Angeles-based absurdists Billionaire Pity Party and local physical comedy troupe Comedy Dance Chicago. It all takes place at Stage 773, where you can buy a ticket to a single show or snag a pass for an entire evening (or weekend!) of entertainment.