Melbourne's biggest laugh factory is about to hit a milestone birthday, and it's inviting the whole world to the party.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) returns for its 40th edition, running from 25 March to 19 April, with an enormous roster of international talent touching down for what’s shaping up to be one of its strongest programs yet.
Spearheading the overseas contingent is Rich Hall, the deadpan American satirist and Perrier Award winner whose grouchy observations have earned him a devoted global following. He’s joined by returning favourite Josie Long, a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee bringing a brand-new show about extinct megafauna, and Ireland’s David O’Doherty, who’ll be delivering his trademark keyboard-powered whimsy. Phil Wang rounds out the headliners with a fresh stand-up hour, New Yorker Zainab Johnson touches down with tales of charitable dating and unlikely animal friendships, and Mark Watson celebrates 20 years since his MICF debut in 2006 with characteristically chaotic energy.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
- 25 March – 19 April
- Various venues across Melbourne
- Tickets on sale now via comedyfestival.com.au
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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The returning crew doesn’t stop there. Emmanuel Sonubi brings a show about surviving heart failure, Ed Night shares Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated tales of skint adulthood, Lara Ricote delivers surreal oddball musings, and Sarah Keyworth ditches the script entirely for an hour of crowd work. Sam Jay explores identity and nationhood fresh off a best show nomination at Edinburgh Fringe, while Chloe Petts digs into growing up surrounded by lad culture.
Then there’s the debutants. Sam Nicoresti arrives hot off an Edinburgh best show win with an hour about love, insanity and the perfect skirt suit. Luke McQueen brings his maverick energy and plans to record The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast live on stage using AI. Ian Smith, a two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, tackles stress, love and buying a magic spell off Amazon. Ireland’s Mike Rice delivers darkly twisted storytelling, India’s Prashasti Singh makes her festival debut with Divine Feminine (including a special Hindi-language performance), and Denmark-based Abby Wambaugh performs the beginnings of 17 entirely different shows in one hour. A curated showcase called New Order spotlights three rising UK comics: Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Sharon Wanjohi and Thor Stenhaug.
Podcast devotees can also catch Max Rushden and David O’Doherty recording their show What Did You Do Yesterday? live on the festival stage.
With hundreds of shows across the city, the 40th Melbourne International Comedy Festival is lining up to be a proper celebration. Four decades of making Melbourne the comedy capital of the southern hemisphere — not a bad run.
For more information, head here.
