THE NEW YORKER FESTIVAL at various locations (Oct. 5-7). You can get your fill of mind-opening discussions and musical performances at this arts-and-culture-focused festival. But this weekend-long event also features an excellent selection of sit-down sessions with comedians. On Friday, writers and editors at The New Yorker will be talking with Patton Oswalt; on Saturday, with Jim Carrey, Bo Burnham, Mike Birbiglia, Jimmy Fallon, John Mulaney and Bridget Everett. (And though these are the comedy listings, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the activist Janet Mock will be sitting down with Hilton Als.)

festival.newyorker.com

‘THE STEPFATHERS’ at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater Hell’s Kitchen (Oct. 5, 9 p.m.). Every now and then, I have a friend who tells me he or she has never been to a comedy show in New York. That’s usually when I take them to one of U.C.B.’s two locations to see a show like this one. The Stepfathers is a group of comedy veterans — Michael Delaney, Alexandra Dickson, Shannon O’Neill and Connor Ratliff — who are something of a staple at this storied comedy institution.

212-366-9176, hellskitchen.ucbtheatre.com