From some of the finest international talent to a medley of Aussie newcomers, consider adding one of these six unique shows to your comedy plans for this festival season.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns this autumn with some of the funniest people in the world, here for your pleasure. The only problem? The program boasts hundreds of shows that could easily fill your calendar for weeks.
To save you some hassle, we’ve handpicked six gigs that deserve your undivided attention amidst the comedy chaos. From critically acclaimed international acts fresh off Edinburgh Fringe triumphs to Australia’s most promising new voices, these following performances offer something for every comedy palate.
Explore Melbourne’s latest arts and stage news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Charlene Kaye
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- 27 March – 20 April
- Tickets here
Rocking up to Melbourne with her guitar and a suitcase full of family drama, powerhouse Charlene Kaye unpacks the ultimate immigrant parent conundrum in Tiger Daughter, Or: How I Brought My Immigrant Mother Ultimate Shame.
Fresh off smashing the Edinburgh Fringe and lauded by superstar Margaret Cho, this Succession and SNL alum shreds both guitar strings and emotional boundaries. Kaye’s one-woman show dives headfirst into the messy tangle of maternal expectations versus rockstar dreams, examining the generational chasm with unflinching honesty and unexpected laughs. It’s a hilarious cultural tightrope walk that asks a very profound question: do we need to understand our parents to love them?
Comedy Zone
- 27 March – 20 April
- Tickets here
The comedy industry’s ultimate talent scout celebrates 25 years of launching careers with five fresh faces ready to blow the roof off.
This year’s crop features a deliciously diverse lineup: Nathan Chin, bringing Oxford education to punchlines; Rachael Hornbuckle, whose sweet Queensland persona disguises brilliantly dark material; Darwin’s Omar Gad, combining legal expertise with tropical humidity-induced hysteria; proud Palawa woman Tarsh Jago, whose exploration of queer and First Nations identities comes wrapped in cheeky storytelling; and the enigmatic Stella Kappos, who refuses to explain her architectural jokes because, in her words; she doesn’t know you like that.
Comedy Zone remains the festival’s ultimate crystal ball for spotting tomorrow’s headline acts. We highly recommend checking it out.
Jin Hao Li
- 27 March – 18 April
- Tickets here
Plunge into the gloriously weird mind-pool of Jin Hao Li with Swimming In A Submarine – a show where nightmares about spider transformation sit comfortably alongside yakuza fantasies and military barracks banter.
The Singapore-born, UK-based comedian arrives in Melbourne trailing critical acclaim and a Best Newcomer Edinburgh nod. Li’s unique brand of comedy weaponises vulnerability through mischief, delivering surprising tenderness alongside razor-sharp observations. Described as the cult find of the Fringe, this underwater expedition through Jin’s consciousness promises to be anything but shallow.
New Order
- 27 March – 20 April
- Tickets here
Britain’s comedy revolution annually storms Melbourne with a triple threat of the hottest rising UK stars.
Amy Annette brings the sunshine energy that had Edinburgh punters begging for extra shows, her infectious joy is guaranteed to sweep you into her orbit. From nightclub bouncer to comedy powerhouse, Emmanuel Sonubi flexes both physical and comedic muscles in a meteoric rise that’s seen him conquer Live at the Apollo and earn back-to-back Edinburgh Comedy Award nominations.
Rounding out the trio, Paddy Young arrives with the Chortle Best Newcomer trophy barely cool in his hands and a reputation for making Soho Theatre crowds absolutely lose it. Three distinct styles, one unmissable show – catch them now before they’re selling out arenas back home.
Chloe Petts
- 27 March – 20 April
- Tickets here
Wearing her Head Girl badge with mischievous pride, Chloe Petts serves up brilliantly observed comedy in How You See Me, How You Don’t. This isn’t just stand-up – it’s a masterclass in authentic ladishness from someone who’s faced down trolls, school bullies, and still maintains an excellent relationship with her food tech teacher.
Petts transforms everyday observations – from her beloved Crystal Palace to navigating gender expectations – into comedy gold that hits harder than Palace’s inevitable relegation. Already a Festival Fringe sensation and featured on Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda (Netflix), Petts brings her trademark timing and disarming charm to Melbourne. The UK critics are unanimous: she’s in her championship season.
RAW Comedy National Grand Final
- Sunday 13 April 2025
- Tickets here
Australia’s comedy hunger games will stage its nail-biting finale as the nation’s funniest unknowns battle for stand-up supremacy. After three months of state heats that have seen hundreds of hopefuls test their mettle, only the elite few remain – the brave, the brilliant, the possibly unhinged.
Hosted by the effortlessly hilarious Lizzy Hoo, Melbourne Town Hall will becomes comedy’s thunderdome, where careers are launched and legends begin. RAW’s track record speaks for itself: Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Celia Pacquola and Tom Ballard all cut their teeth on this very stage.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from March 26 – April 20. To peruse the entire program, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
