The Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns next month with more than 680 shows and a feast of special events.
Beyond the regular program, comedy lovers can immerse themselves in curated showcases, film screenings, talks, club nights and radio broadcasts celebrating the art form in all its iterations. The second annual Asian Allstars Gala hosted by Taskmaster star Takashi Wakasugi headlines a diverse lineup of special events that spans cultural celebrations, gaming discussions, and late-night shenanigans.
The Festival Club at Max Watt’s remains the beating heart of after-hours comedy, running Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival period with a rotating lineup of themed shows and surprise appearances from festival headliners.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025
- Running from 26 March to 20 April 2025
- From stand-up and sketch to improv and musical comedy, line-up shows and special events
- Over its 39 years, the Festival has become a cultural icon in Melbourne
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Asian Allstars Gala
• Saturday 5 April, 8.30pm at Melbourne Town Hall
The two-hour epic showcase features extraordinary talent from across Asia including Urooj Ashfaq (India), Anirban Dasgupta (India), Fadzri Rashid (Singapore), Jin Hao Li (Singapore/UK), and Rizal van Geyzal (Malaysia).
Conversations about Comedy: Cheat Codes
• Saturday 5 April, 4.45pm at ACMI
Host Harry Jun explores the evolution of humour in games with comedians Demi Lardner and Maddy Weeks, joined by game developers Matthew Jackson (Toot Games) and Jo Jo Zhou (Massive Monster).
Upfront
• Tuesday 8 April, 7pm at Melbourne Town Hall
Hosted by Becky Lucas, this showcase of female and non-binary comedians features Amy Annette (UK), Chanel Ali (USA), Charlene Kaye (USA), Emma Holland, Frankie McNair, Kirsty Webeck, Mel & Sam, Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Olga Koch (UK), Robyn Reynolds, Sara Pascoe (UK), Scout Boxall, Tarsh Jago, and Urooj Ashfaq (India).
Aboriginal Comedy Allstars
• Saturday 12 April, 8.15pm at The Capitol
Australia’s premier First Nations comedians Andy Saunders, Elaine Crombie, Janty Blair, Jay Wymarra, Kevin Kropinyeri and Sean Choolburra deliver a huge night of laughs from the heart of the wide brown land.
Problemista Screening
• Sunday 13 April, 2.30pm at ACMI
Hit absurdist comedy Problemista returns for a one-off screening and discussion with its star and director, award-winning comedian and Saturday Night Live alumni Julio Torres, hosted by Alexei Toliopoulos.
Festival Club at Max Watt’s
• Tuesday to Sunday throughout the Festival
The late-night hub features Comedy Bonanza every Friday and Saturday with the festival’s biggest names, plus specialty events including:
• Lip Sync Battle: Every Friday (hosted by Alex Hines and Lou Wall)
• Do Go On: The Quiz Show: Wednesday 2 April (hosted by Dave Warneke)
• TOD Talks: Sunday 6 April (hosted by Owen Merriman)
• Roast Beef: Wednesday 9 April (hosted by Henry Yan and William Wang)
• Instructions For Life: Wednesday 16 April (hosted by Mark Watson)
Additional Festival Club highlights include Character Bonanza, Backyard Stories, Haus Party!, Down To Clown, 10 Comedians For 10 Bucks Tuesdays, and Comedians On Stage Auditioning For Musicals.
ABC and Austereo
In partnership with ABC Radio Melbourne, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival will host Comedy Bites with ABC Radio Melbourne’s David Astle and Jacinta Parsons. A live broadcast featuring the finest of bite-sized comedy chunks from the Festival on the eve of its opening on Tuesday 25 March.
And this year they’re excited to add TGIF! hosted by Charlie Pickering at the Melbourne Town Hall on Friday 4 April – with a line-up of special Festival guests who will recap the week’s events.
In the festival’s second year collaborating with Southern Cross Austereo, it’s also bringing a range of events to the Festival including Carrie & Tommy’s The Roast of Carrie Bickmore.
With zero filters and maximum burns an all-star lineup of comedians, famous friends, and surprise guests will take down Carrie Bickmore in the ultimate comedy showdown. Tune into Carrie & Tommy weekdays from 3pm on 101.9 The Fox to score an exclusive invite.
Plus Brekky in the Burbs will host a special Festival edition and Triple M’s Happy Hour will be a daily taste of some of the best comedians at the Festival.
The 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 26 March to 20 April. For more information and tickets, visit comedyfestival.com.au.
