The Melbourne International Comedy Festival's 2026 edition features a massive program of First Nations comedians spanning stand-up, circus, family shows and emerging talent showcases.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is rolling out one of its biggest First Nations comedy programs to date.
Running from 25 March to 19 April, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 2026 edition is packed with First Nations performers spread across stand-up, circus, family shows and talent showcases. The program covers veteran acts and fresh voices, with solo shows digging into everything from grief and body image to tropical fruit and unfiltered camp energy.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- When: 25 March – 19 April
- Where: Various venues across Melbourne
- Tickets: On sale now at comedyfestival.com.au
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Families have plenty to get amongst. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars for Kids lands on 18 April with an all-ages show packed with singalongs, dance and laughs from some of the country’s top First Nations comedians. Dale Woodbridge-Brown’s Camp Culture also rolls through on 11 and 12 April, delivering a circus-meets-comedy experience for younger audiences built on flips, bold self-expression and big energy.
The grown-up program runs deep. Aboriginal Comedy Allstars returns with its powerhouse stand-up showcase, joined by a stacked roster of solo shows. Dane Simpson brings 100% Hits, Dave Woodhead performs Weight and Height, and Elaine Crombie presents Grief, Love and Lead Balloons. Jay Wymarra Is A Tropical Fruit, Kevin Kropinyeri’s Funny Comes First, Leon Filewood’s Holding Space, Rosie Girl’s No Pulse? No Problem!, Steph Tisdell’s Fat and Tarsh Jago’s Cherub all feature across the festival run. First Nations Headliners rounds things out as a standalone showcase celebrating some of the country’s leading Indigenous comedy voices.
The program also features Deadly Funny, the nationwide search for emerging First Nations comedy talent. After running 20 heats across the country, the final qualifying round hits Comedy Republic on 24 March, hosted by Janty Blair and Tarsh Jago. It’s the last opportunity for new comedians to earn their spot before national finalists are selected. Those finalists then perform at the Deadly Funny National Grand Final on 11 April, a showcase built to spotlight the next wave of First Nations comedy.
Tickets across the full First Nations program are on sale now.
For more information, head here.
