The close relationship between the Nashville-based Outback Presents and the Chicago-based Jam Productions dates back to working on the TBS Just for Laughs festival a decade ago when the massive comedy festival touched down in Chicago. Now, the companies are bringing together the might of Zanies, Chicago Improv and Jam to bring Chicagoans the first 312 Comedy Festival.

“It means a lot to me,” said Brian Dorfman, owner of Zanies Nashville and co-owner of Outback Presents. “You’re bringing together a couple legendary institutions in live entertainment, especially comedy in Chicago.”

The festival, which opens Oct. 27 and runs a little more than a week, represents a new step for Outback Presents, which also hosts annual comedy festivals in cities like Charleston and Minneapolis, alongside its hometown Nashville Comedy Festival. Outback Presents vice president Andrew Farwell said they’ve found a successful model for comedy festivals through their work in these other cities and now they’re ready to bring their formula to the larger Chicago stage.

“The Chicagoland area is so great for comedy and there’s so much history there, and now just seemed like the absolute right time to do it,” Farwell said. “It’s just a no-brainer for so many acts to come through and play Chicago, and we’re thrilled to have them all during this great week.”

For Farwell and Outback, bringing the festival to a larger city actually makes things a bit easier on them, mostly because of the sheer number of venue options. The festival spans the Chicago Theatre, the Allstate Arena and Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, the Wintrust Arena, Riviera Theatre, Rialto Square in Joliet, Vic Theatre, Park West, Chicago Improv in Schaumburg and, of course, Zanies Comedy Clubs in both Chicago and Rosemont.

Farwell said it was important to make sure the festival didn’t feel like it was coming into Chicago and trying to tell comedy-savvy Chicagoans who or what they should or shouldn’t be seeing. They wanted to work with Jam Productions to provide a mix of headliners — such as Nate Bargatze, who will have a three-night, six-show stint at the Chicago Theatre — with folks the Chicago community would specifically enjoy.

That’s why you see comedians like Hannibal Buress and Craig Robinson, who both hail from Chicago, with one-night-only performances at the Chicago Theatre (Nov. 2) and Park West (Nov. 4), respectively. That’s also why this hefty comedy lineup includes shows like Roast Battle Chicago (Nov. 2) and two nights of Chicago’s Most Wanted (Nov. 3-4) featuring a variety of local comedians.

“We were really diligent about that,” Farwell said. “With a marquee festival like this, you want to have those tentpole comedians, the big names to build around. Once they all start falling together, everything else falls into place because people want to be a part of activity.”

The hope is that, by bringing together these comedians for a festival like this, a special energy arises. Farwell said he’s seen it happen in Nashville over its 10-year history. Festivals not only provide comedians a chance to hang out with their friends amid busy touring schedules, but they also, the producers hope, provide an opportunity for rare moments. With a number of big names, ranging from Michael Che and Russell Peters to Nicole Byer and Mary Lynn Rajskub, Chicagoans may attend one comedian’s show and see another enjoying the same show. Or, perhaps most excitingly, you may be treated to surprise guests taking the stage.

Looking toward the future, the festival’s producers hope the 312 Comedy Festival only continues to grow.

“You want to create these festival moments where it’s a once-in-a-lifetime show,” Farwell said. “That’s part of the great thing about growing a festival like this, get that one year under your belt and then keep adding things, keep getting more creative.”

If you’re looking at the 29 acts slated to take a festival stage, here are a few notable suggestions to pencil into your calendar:

Hannibal Buress: As recently as this past summer, The New Yorker dubbed Buress a “former standup comic” as they detailed his recent shift into a new trajectory as a rapper and producer. It’s hard to tell what to expect from his stop at the Chicago Theatre — Rap? Comedy? Both? No matter what, you’ll be in good hands with this skilled all-around entertainer. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.

Leslie Liao: This is a chance to catch a rising Los Angeles-based comedian. Liao was selected as one of the New Faces of Comedy at this year’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, and she’s previously brought her honest, introspective comedy on tour with Fortune Feimster. 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St.

Nicole Byer: Actress, comedian and writer Nicole Byer has established a real presence as host of Netflix’s reality baking series “Nailed It!” In fact, it’s earned her two Primetime Emmy nominations. Her other Emmy nomination? Outstanding writing for a variety special for her comedy special “Nicole Byer: BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo).” It’s worth making room to find out what this talented writer and host has ready for Chicago audiences. 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave.

Michael Che and Craig Robinson: The toughest thing about festivals is that there’ll be nights where you just can’t decide. Nov. 4 is shaping up to be one of those difficult nights. There’s no arguing with anyone wanting to go to Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious to see the former “The Office” star and his band at Park West. But the same night, at the same time, “SNL” star Michael Che takes the Riviera stage and Russell Peters in Rosemont. Michael Che, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave. Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.

The Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour: Last year, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!,” the NPR weekly quiz show that regularly tapes in Chicago, launched a stand-up comedy tour featuring panelists from the show. Though the 312 Festival doesn’t list which panelists will be participating, if the radio show is to be believed, there are no bad options. 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave.

The 312 Comedy Festival runs Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 at Chicago and area venues; tickets and more information at 312comedyfestival.com

Jerald Pierce is a freelance writer.