Top 10 comedy festivals around the world

Montreal is hosting its 35th Just for Laughs festival. It draws nearly 2 million people every year. Sydney hosts a roadshow in September.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival is celebrating 70 years this year. It's been a great place to see emerging and established comedy talent. Past winners include Steve Coogan, Lano and Woodley and Dylan Moran.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the world's third largest. It was founded in 1987 by Sir Les Patterson and British funnyman Peter Cook. The festival is a more relaxed showcase than competitive Edinburgh or Montreal events.

Kilkenny cat comedy festival is held in the medieval town of Kilkennys. It's held from June 1-5. The festival features international and national comedy stars and audiences.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is taking place between April 27 and May 21. It's running concurrently with the Perth Comedy festival. Ed Byrne has been visiting NZ for 20 years and he'll perform with Outside Looking In.

Leicester hosted a comedy festival from February 7-25. Johnny Vegas, Stewart Lee, Jimmy Carr and Sue Perkins were among the performers. The festival is held in Leicester, the city where Leicester City won the English Premiership in 2016.

7 MAGNERS INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL, ACROSS ASIA, takes place in Melbourne. The festival features alternative comedians from Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

80% of the 200 performers at the Boston Comedy Festival are women. Headliners include Lily Tomlin and Maria Bamford. Up-and-coming female stand-ups are also performing.

The comedy festival in Cologne is taking place from October 12-28. It features the best in German comedy and awards for newcomers.

Brooklyn Comedy Festival is held August 21-27. There is also a New York Comedy Fest in November.