With a week of comedy shows lined up, the WOOtenanny comedy festival will be moving from mid-October to the last week of September.

The festival kicks off its celebration Sept. 24 at Nick’s in Worcester, with a special performance entitled Dear Worcester, and winds up Sept. 30, with an after-party for both comics and ticket-holders alike. This years WOOtenanny is sure to spread the laughter across Worcester, as every night, the festivities occurs at a different venue!

Co-organizer Shaun Connolly is no newcomer to the comedy scene. Every third Wednesday of the month, Connolly hosts The Sort of Late Show at Ralph’s Rock Diner. Drawing inspiration from popular late-night shows such as Fallon, Conan and Kimmel, this comedy show features prominent figures in Worcester and conducts comedic interviews, sketches and much more. In addition, Connolly hosts a monthly show at George’s Coney Island, not-so-surprisingly called Hot Dog, in which the performing comedians have no clue what their set will be until right before the show begins. Comedians literally spin a game-show-esque wheel that decides their fate, and in turn, they must rely heavily on improvisation. Connolly has been doing comedy for nine years, and while he lives in Boston, he continues to perform these gigs in Worcester every few weeks.

Inspired by the popularity of Worcester events such as Pow!Wow!, WOOtenanny aims to create a comedy experience that all can enjoy. “We have been noticing in an uptick in people participating and coming to comedy shows that we’ve been putting on,” Connolly said, “and we were definitely inspired by all the success Pow!Wow! has had, and clearly, there’s a thirst and a hunger for it in the city and so we decided that if they can do it, we can do it, too!”

Of the many talented acts at this year’s festival, one of the most exciting includes a lineup of all female comics, presented by the Boston Comedy Chicks, on Sept. 26 at Nick’s. “I’m really excited about the Boston Comedy Chicks,” Connolly said. “Unfortunately, it’s a thing you don’t see often, and so I’m glad we get to bring it to the city.”

Another interesting show to check out is the secret show presented by SoFar Sounds. Attendees of this event will have no idea where the comedy show will take place, or even who’s performing, until the day of the event. And even then, the show itself won’t be held at a normal venue; SoFar Sounds loves to hold events in unconventional spaces such as offices or apartments. But no matter what WOOtenanny show you decide to attend, you are sure to not be disappointed as the line-up features something for everyone!

For a full line-up and ticket information, visit wootenanny.ticketleap.com.

Owen Meyer