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We’re celebrating laughter
for the health of it!

About Gilda’s LaughFest

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. This major Midwest festival is based in Grand Rapids and includes events throughout West Michigan. LaughFest has provided the community with opportunities to see up and coming headliners before they made it big such as Nate Bargatze, Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish and more! Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff.

We are serious about our “funny” here. LaughFest brings together a diverse audience of children and adults every March to honor laughter as an essential part of emotional health and wellbeing. And what better time for a laughter festival than when it’s typically cold, icy, and distinctly un-funny outside?

LaughFest is more than just a seriously good time. It also raises funds and awareness for a very important cause – Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a vibrant FREE emotional health support community of children, adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving a death due to any cause. Proceeds from Gilda’s LaughFest and LaughFest’s High Five Campaign benefit Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

About Gilda's Club Grand Rapids

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides free emotional healthcare to children, adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause.

Its comprehensive program, delivered by mental health professionals, meets individuals where they are, when they need it, with a variety of social and emotional support options to choose from, including support groups, educational opportunities as well as healthy lifestyle and social activities.

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids runs entirely on charitable donations and currently provides in-person, virtual and hybrid support options through its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., and community programs in various schools and community centers.

An affiliate of the Cancer Support Community – the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is independently owned and locally operated. At Gilda’s Club no one has to navigate cancer or grief on their own. To learn more about our mission or to get support started please visit gildasclubgr.org.

Learn more about Gilda's Club