Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns for its 40th year from 25 March to 19 April with international stars and local legends.
Running across four weeks, Melbourne International Comedy Festival marks four decades of comedy with The Big 4-Oh, a one-night spectacular featuring comedians from this year’s program alongside legends from across the festival’s history. Federation Square will host an expanded outdoor program, while Funny Shorts brings back the festival’s comedy short film competition for the digital age.
International performers include Sam Nicoresti from the UK, winner of the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show, plus Edinburgh nominees Ian Smith from the UK and Sam Jay from the US. Other international acts include Daniel Sloss from Scotland, Joanne McNally from Ireland, Phil Wang from the UK and Malaysia, Jason Leong and Douglas Lim from Malaysia, and Fadzri Rashid from Singapore, and Zainab Johnson from the US.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- 25 March to 19 April 2026
- Various venues across Melbourne
- Tickets on sale here
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Australian and New Zealand performers include Kitty Flanagan, Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little, Wil Anderson, Dave Hughes, Nazeem Hussain, Celia Pacquola, Dilruk Jayasinha, Lizzy Hoo, Denise Scott, Lano & Woodley, The Umbilical Brothers, Sammy J, Guy Williams, Melanie Bracewell and Urzila Carlson. First Nations artists Kevin Kropinyeri, Leon Filewood, Steph Tisdell, Tarsh Jago, Kylan Ambrum and Elaine Crombie will perform, with many coming through the Deadly Funny development program.
Festival director Susan Provan said the 40th year celebrates the artists who have delivered four decades of live comedy, from the early days of faxes and websites through to smartphones and social media. Special events include The Gala supporting Oxfam Australia at the Palais Theatre, the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, The 36th Annual Great Debate and Upfront, showcasing female and non-binary comedians. The third annual Asian Allstars Gala featuring performers from India, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong will go on sale soon.
Family entertainment includes Comedy Club for Kids, The Listies, The Tricky Nick Magic Show, Trash Test Dummies and Winni Wizard and Her Magical Smells during the Easter school holidays. Federation Square’s expanded outdoor program promises free entertainment with street performances and surprise pop-ups throughout the festival.
RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny and Class Clowns National Grand Finals will showcase emerging talent from across Australia.
With hundreds of shows across Melbourne venues from intimate bars to packed theatres, plus late-night performances at the Festival Club, the 40th anniversary program covers every corner of the city’s comedy scene.
For more information, head here.
