The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is celebrating its 40th birthday with a program featuring almost 800 shows across 26 days.
The festival, which has grown from modest origins in 1987 into what’s now the largest dedicated comedy festival on the planet, runs from 25 March to 19 April and takes over stages, bars, theatres and laneways across the city. The 2026 edition leans into the milestone with a mix of anniversary-specific events and the returning traditions that have made it a cultural fixture.
Headlining the birthday celebrations is The Big FOUR-Oh!, a once-in-a-decade gala event hosted by Nath Valvo and Geraldine Hickey at the Regent Theatre. The festival opens with the Comedy Allstars Supershow, hosted by Brett Blake and Bron Lewis, featuring a stacked lineup that includes Celia Pacquola, David O’Doherty, Dilruk Jayasinha, He Huang, Jenny Tian, Josie Long, Lou Wall, Nazeem Hussain, Phil Wang, Reuben Kaye, Tom Cashman and Sam Jay among others.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
- When: 25 March – 19 April
- Where: Various venues across Melbourne
- Tickets: comedyfestival.com.au
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Returning fan favourites include the 36th Annual Great Debate, where six comedians will argue the topic That It Was Better In The Olden Days, and Upfront, hosted by Michelle Brasier, showcasing a lineup of the funniest women and non-binary performers from Australia and abroad including Abby Howells, Cassie Workman, Felicity Ward, Jo Gowda and Sharon Wanjohi.
International favourite Mark Watson, who’s clocking 20 years at the festival, has created a special one-off anniversary event introducing 40 names from the festival’s history — an evening he says won’t be repeated until the 80th anniversary in 2066. The now sold-out How It Started series will see surprise pop-up performances at Melbourne Town Hall, dropping big names into the smallest possible spaces.
Headliners include
- Celia Pacquola
- David O’Doherty
- Dilruk Jayasinha
- He Huang
- Jenny Tian
- Josie Long
- Lou Wall
- Nazeem Hussain
- Phil Wang
- Reuben Kaye
- Tom Cashman
- Sam Jay
- Melanie Bracewell
- Josh Thomas
- Gillian Cosgriff
- Lizzy Hoo
- Ivan Aristeguieta
- Sam Campbell
- Scout Boxall
- Nat Harris
- Wil Anderson
- Lano & Woodley
- Hannah Gadsby
- Denise Scott
- Urzila Carlson
- Cassie Workman
- Matt Okine
- The Umbilical Brothers
- Sammy J
- Sam Nicoresti
- Ian Smith
- Luke McQueen
- Chloe Petts
- Connor Burns
- Daniel Sloss
- Douglas Lim
- Fadzri Rashid
- Schalk Bezuidenhout
- Rich Hall
- Sofie Hagen
- Takashi Wakasugi
- Zainab Johnson
The broader program spans stand-up, sketch, improv, musical comedy, film and everything in between. Names to look out for include Melanie Bracewell, Josh Thomas, Lizzy Hoo, Sam Campbell, Wil Anderson, Lano & Woodley, Hannah Gadsby, Denise Scott, Urzila Carlson, Matt Okine, The Umbilical Brothers and Sammy J. International acts include Edinburgh Fringe Best Show winner Sam Nicoresti, two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Ian Smith, Daniel Sloss, Rich Hall, Sofie Hagen, Takashi Wakasugi and Zainab Johnson.
The festival also continues its commitment to First Nations comedy with a lineup featuring Leon Filewood, Elaine Crombie, Steph Tisdell, Dane Simpson and Kevin Kropinyeri alongside the Aboriginal Comedy Allstars and Aboriginal Comedy Allstars for Kids. Free family-friendly performances run from Good Friday through to the close of the festival at Fed Square and City Square.
For more information, head here.
