Melbourne International Comedy Festival's RAW Comedy 2026 kicks off with heats across the country from January
Somewhere out there, a future comedy megastar is workshopping five minutes of material in front of their bathroom mirror. RAW Comedy exists to find them.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s annual talent search returns for its 30th year, with heats taking place across Australia from January. The nationwide competition gives emerging comedians a platform to deliver five minutes of original material, with winners progressing through state finals before the best of the bunch battle it out at the National Grand Final during the festival.
The ultimate winner scores a spot at Edinburgh Festival Fringe to compete in So You Think You’re Funny?, rubbing shoulders with emerging comics from around the world.
RAW Comedy 2026 Melbourne heats
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Heat #1 – Sun 11 Jan, 1pm – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy | Tickets
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Heat #2 – Sun 18 Jan, 1pm – Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda | Tickets
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Heat #3 – Sun 1 Feb, 1pm – The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy | Tickets
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Heat #4 – Sun 8 Feb, 1pm – Basement, Morris House, Melbourne | Tickets
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Heat #5 – Sun 15 Feb, 1pm – Basement, Morris House, Melbourne | Tickets
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Additional heats will take place in Ballarat, Geelong and further Melbourne dates through February, followed by semi-finals in March.
Beyond Victoria, the search spans Adelaide, Brisbane, Bunbury, Byron Bay, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Fremantle, Hobart, Mullumbimby, Newcastle, Parramatta, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Wollongong and more.
RAW Comedy has launched the careers of some of Australia’s biggest names, including Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Anne Edmonds, Bron Lewis, Sam Campbell and Aaron Chen. Each heat offers a mix of hidden gems, wildcard moments and potential breakout stars.
Head to Raw Comedy for the full calendar and tickets. For more information, head here.
