The eighth annual New York Comedy Festival has finally returned to take over the Big Apple, and it’s sure to give the city something to laugh about.

The festival, running from Nov. 9-13, will feature different comedians at various locations throughout the city, including Carnegie Hall, the Beacon Theatre and the Apollo. More than 150 stand-up comedians perform in the festival; most are well-known to the public, like Kathy Griffin, Tracy Morgan from “30 Rock” and Sarah Silverman, who originates from “Saturday Night Live” (SNL).

Other highlights this year include a performance by Louis C.K., star of the FX series “Louie,” and Bill Maher from HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher;” both performing at the Beacon Theatre. Also, SNL veteran Norm Macdonald will perform at Town Hall.

The comedians performing this year are sure to make a hullabaloo about current political issues such as same-sex marriage becoming legal in New York and the Occupy Wall Street protests. Maher is well known for poking fun at U.S. political figures such as Sarah Palin and Christine O’Donnell.

The event is caters to all types of audiences with different tastes and budgets. Tickets can range from $5 for “The Dirty 30,” where 30 up-and-coming comics will perform at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Chelsea, to up to $90 for Kathy Griffin’s show at Carnegie Hall.

The festival made its debut in 2004 and is presented in association with Comedy Central. Past festivals have featured comedians like Robin Williams, Dane Cook, Denis Leary, Conan O’Brien and Regis Philbin. In addition, the festival has held panel discussions with the writers of “The Daily Show,” “The Colbert Report,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” as well as the cast of the sitcom “Scrubs.”

Contests will be held for New York’s Funniest Stand-Up, as well as the WQXR Classical Comedy Contest, which will feature comedians who also possess musical talent.

There will also be a tribute to the late comedian Mike DeStefano, who spent a portion of his life struggling with a heroin addiction. Proceeds from the performance will be donated to the Mike DeStefano Foundation.

For more information on the New York Comedy Festival and how to get tickets, visit nycomedyfestival.com.