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. Over five days, you'll be able to see Ellen Degeneres, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, Jimmy Fallon, Patrice O'Neal and many others, including local acts.

Why to go: Ellen will be the big draw, of course, but if you can't afford the ticket ($53-$113), consider Bob Odenkirk and David Cross (who collaborated on the cult classic "Mr. Show."). In any case, there's something here for everyone, so take a look at the full schedule (buy tickets here):

Tuesday, June 16
8 p.m.: "Year One" Festival Screening (Music Box)

Wednesday, June 17
7 p.m.: Ellen's Bigger Longer and Wider Show (Chicago Theatre)
7 p.m.: Jon Lajoie: Live As F--- (Lakeshore Theater)
9 p.m.: Homecoming (Lincoln Lodge)
11 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)

Thursday, June 18
7 p.m.: Jon Lajoie: Live As F--- (Lakeshore Theater)
7:30 p.m.: Let Freedom Hum, an evening of comedy hosted by Martin Short (Vic Theatre)
8 p.m.: Comedy Blowout Hits Chi-Town hosted by Mike Epps (Chicago Theatre)
8 p.m.: George Lopez: Tall, Dark and Chicano (Rosemont Theatre)
8 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
8:30 p.m.: Masters of Comedy (Zanies Comedy Club)
8:30 p.m.: The United Bozo Circus Parody: The Original "TV Funhouse" Pilot (Lakeshore Theater)
9 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
9 p.m.: Homecoming (Lincoln Lodge)
9 p.m.: Messing With a Friend (Annoyance Theatre)
9:30 p.m.: The Nasty Show (Vic Theatre)
10 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
10:30 p.m.: Andy Dick (Lakeshore Theater)
10:30 p.m.: Messing With a Friend (Annoyance Theatre)
11 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
11:59 p.m.: Best of the Fest (Lakeshore Theater)
11:59 p.m.: Bob Odenkirk's Best of Sketchfest (iO)

Friday, June 19
7 p.m.: David Alan Grier: Comedy You Can Believe In (Vic Theatre)
7 p.m.: Double Threat: Jim Breuer and Danny Bhoy (Lakeshore Theater)
7 p.m.: Russell Peters hosts an All-Star Comedy Show (Chicago Theatre)
8 p.m.: Alone: Chicago's Best Solo Acts (Playground Theater)
8 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
8 p.m.: George Lopez: Tall, Dark and Chicano (Rosemont Theatre)
8 p.m.: Sodomites! (Annoyance Theatre)
8:30 p.m.: Bob, David and Friends (Lakeshore Theater)
8:30 p.m: The Very Funny Show (Zanies Comedy Club)
9 p.m: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
9 p.m.: Chicago Stand-Up Run-Down (Lincoln Lodge)
9:30 p.m: The Nasty Show (Vic Theatre)
10 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
10 p.m.: Co-Ed Prison Sluts (Annoyance Theatre)
10:30 p.m.: After-Hours Reunion (Playground Theater)
10:30 p.m.: Jim Jefferies: Hammered (Lakeshore Theater)
10:30 p.m.: The Very Funny Show (Zanies Comedy Club)
11 p.m.: Best of Sketchfest (iO)
11:59 p.m.: Best of the Fest (Lakeshore Theater)
11:59 p.m.: Bob Odenkirk's Best of Sketchfest (iO)
11:59 p.m.: Green Room with Paul Provenza (Annoyance Theatre)

Saturday, June 20
7 p.m.: Bill Engvall: Aged and Confused (Vic Theatre)
7 p.m.: Double Threat: Jim Breuer and Danny Bhoy (Lakeshore Theater)
7 p.m.: Lisa Lampanelli (Chicago Theatre)
7 p.m.: The Very Funny Show (Zanies Comedy Club)
8 p.m.: Chicagoland (Annoyance Theatre)
8 p.m.: Don't Spit the Water (Playground Theater)
8 p.m.: George Lopez: Tall, Dark and Chicano (Rosemont Theatre)
8 p.m.: The Improvised Shakespeare Company (iO)
8:30 p.m.: Bob, David and Friends (Lakeshore Theater)
9 p.m.: Chicago Stand-Up Run-Down (Lincoln Lodge)
9:30 p.m.: Jimmy Fallon Live in Concert (Vic Theatre)
9:30 p.m.: Lisa Lampanelli (Chicago Theatre)
10 p.m.: Schadenfreude Rent Party (Annoyance Theatre)
10:30 p.m.: Don't Spit the Water (Playground Theater)
10:30 p.m. Patrice O'Neal: Positivity (Lakeshore Theater)
10:30 p.m.: Whirled News Tonight (iO)
11:59 p.m.: Best of the Fest (Lakeshore Theater)
11:59 p.m.: Green Room with Paul Provenza (Annoyance Theatre)
11:59 p.m.: Late Night Late Show (iO)

Sunday, June 21
1 p.m.: Best Church of God (Annoyance Theatre)
7 p.m.: Michael Showalter (Lakeshore Theater)
8 p.m.: George Lopez: Tall, Dark and Chicano (Rosemont Theatre)