Cost: varies by event

What to expect: As if Chicago wasn't a good enough comedy town already, we're importing some of today's best-known laugh-inducers to venues all around the city.

Why to go: This year's fest includes the return of Ellen DeGeneres (June 16 at the Chicago Theater), plus appearances from Aziz Ansari (Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17 at the Vic Theatre), Patton Oswalt (Saturday, June 19 at the Vic), Rob Corddry (Thursday, June 17 at Park West), Cedric the Entertainer (Friday, June 18 at Chicago Theatre), Russell Peters (Saturday, June 19 at the Rosemont Theatre), a reunion of the 1979 Second City class featuring George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky (Thursday, June 17 at Second City) and more. See the full schedule here.