First Highlights Announced For 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Australia’s favourite celebration of laughter – the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – returns from 25 March to 19 April 2026, marking a monumental milestone – 40 years of funny.

Get ready for a month-long celebration packed with longtime Festival icons, exciting new voices, international favourites, family fun and non-stop festivities. From intimate bar gigs to packed theatres and late-night antics at the Festival Club, comedy will take over every corner of Melbourne.

A Major Milestone – 40 Years of Laughs

The Festival’s 40th year will be marked by The Big 4-Oh, a one-night-only spectacular bringing together standout comedians from this year’s program and legends from across the Festival’s four decades; an expanded outdoor program taking place at Fed Square; and the return of the Festival’s much-loved comedy short film competition, rebooted for the digital age as Funny Shorts, blending cinematic storytelling with big laughs.

 

 

Susan Provan AO, Festival Director:

We’re looking forward to celebrating the funny and fearless artists who have bought us four decades of good-times. From what’s-a-website to whatsapp, faxes to iPhones, the constant has been the joy of sitting in a room sharing genius live comedy. Long live the best artform on the planet!”

Here’s a little taste of what’s to come in a program packed with hundreds of shows.

International Stars Touching Down

The Festival’s global reach continues to shine, welcoming a stellar line-up of international performers including Sam Nicoresti (UK) – winner of the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show, and Ian Smith (UK) and Sam Jay (USA) – nominees 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show – plus Abby Govindan (USA), Chloe Petts (UK), Connor Burns (Scotland), Daniel Sloss (Scotland), David O’Doherty (Ireland), Douglas Lim (Singapore), Fadzri Rashid (Singapore), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Joanne McNally (Ireland), Joe Kent-Walters (UK), Larry Dean (Scotland), Luke McQueen (UK), Phil Wang (UK /Malaysia), Schalk Bezuidenhout (Sth Africa), Sofie Hagen (Dnk), Takashi Wakasugi (Japan), Tarang Hardikar (India), Zainab Johnson (US) and heaps more to be announced.

 

 

Local Legends & Rising Stars

The 2026 lineup celebrates the incredible breadth of Australian and New Zealand comedy talent, including: Abby Howells (NZ), Alexandra Hudson, Alex Ward, Alexei Toliopoulos, Anisa Nandaula, Aves Robin, Brett Blake, Bron Lewis, The Burton Brothers, Celia Pacquola, Cassie Workman, Chris Parker (NZ), Circus Oz, Cowboy C*untry featuring Kath Ebbs, Courtney Smith, Damian Callinan, Dan Rath, Daniel Connell, Daniel Muggleton, Dave Hughes, Dave Thornton, Denise Scott, Dilruk Jayasinha, Elouise Eftos, Emily Taheny & Christie Whelan Browne, Emma Holland, Geraldine Hickey, Grace Jarvis, Guy Williams (NZ), Harry Jun, He Huang, Henry Yan, Ivan Aristeguieta, Jack Ansett (NZ), Jenny Tian, Jimeoin, Jordan Barr, Kirsty Webeck, Kitty Flanagan, Lano & Woodley, Lena Moon, Lizzy Hoo, Lou Wall, Luke Heggie, Luke Kidgell, Nick Cody, Meg Jäger, Melanie Bracewell (NZ), Mel McGlensey, Nath Valvo, Nathan Chin, Nazeem Hussain, Pete Helliar, Rapha Manajem, Ray O’Leary (NZ), Reuben Kaye, Rowan Thambar, Sammy J, Sashi Perera, Tom Ballard, Tom Cashman, Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little, The Umbilical Brothers, Urzila Carlson (NZ/Sth Africa), Wil Anderson, Will Gibb and heaps more still to be announced.

 

 

First Nations Comedy Powerhouses

A strong program of shows from First Nations artists will once again take centre stage including Kevin Kropinyeri, Leon Filewood, Steph Tisdell, Tarsh Jago, Kylan Ambrum and Elaine Crombie – many of whom have come through the Deadly Funny development program.

 

 

Family Favourites Return

Little laughers are in for a treat with a huge Easter school holiday program featuring Comedy Club for Kids, The Listies, The Tricky Nick Magic Show, Trash Test Dummies, Winni Wizard and Her Magical Smells, Signor Baffo and more. Plus, an expanded (Very) Big Laugh Out outdoor program at Federation Square promises entertainment for all ages – free fun, street performances, and surprise pop-ups to keep Melbourne buzzing with laughter day and night.

 

 

Special Events

The Festival’s flagship special events return for another year – on sale now and selling fast! The Gala, proudly supporting Oxfam Australia, kicks off 2026 with the cream of the comedy crop at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre.

One week later, the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow officially launches the 40th anniversary celebrations with a star-studded line-up featuring comedy royalty from around the globe. Tickets are now on sale for the comedy throwdown of the year, The 36th Annual Great Debate, and Upfront, a massive showcase of the funniest female and non-binary comedians from Australia and beyond. The third annual Asian Allstars Gala featuring a sensational cast from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and more, will be on sale soon.

 

 

Audiences can get a peek into the future of comedy with the RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny and Class Clowns National Grand Finals, celebrating the boldest and funniest new talent from across the country.

With hundreds of shows lighting up the city, there’s never been a better time to join the party. Whether you’re discovering new talent, reliving Festival memories, or creating fresh ones, the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the place to be.

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Season Details

Venue: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Date: 25 March –  19 April 2026

For more information click HERE

 Photo Credit: MICF Ian Laidlaw