What to See at Melbourne Comedy Festival 2026 | Complete Guide
The world’s biggest AND best comedy festival is back, and it’s better than ever!
Get ready to laugh with your favourite panel show stars, familiar voices from the airwaves, and the freshest talent that’s taking over your social media. There's a show for everyone at this year's festival.
From tales of wellness misadventures and songs about riding the 86 to an intergalactic space mission, this year’s festival promises comedy that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
Book your tickets today and be part of laughs from 25 March - 19 April 2025.
The legendary 25 FOR 25 Melbourne Comedy Festival Sale is back! From midday Tuesday 3 February, you’ll have 25 hours to grab tickets to the hottest shows for just $25. Hurry — limited tickets available for select sessions below. Don’t miss out!
ABBY HOWELLS
The Cave
Melbourne Town Hall
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Welcome to The Cave. What is The Cave? Well, you’ll have to come to find out. Does Abby know what The Cave is? Oh yeah, don’t worry about that
Directed by Carlo Ritchie
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 29 & 31 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
ALEX WARD
Literally Anyone
The Westin, Three
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Alex had an awkward weekend in a painfully generic Airbnb, and she’ll probably tell you about it.
Seen on Have You Been Paying Attention?
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26-29 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
ALEXEI TOLIOPOULOS
VHS
Melbourne Town Hall
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Pop the tape into the VCR and join Alexei as he takes you on an adventure in movie watching.
Directed by Zachary Ruane
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 2, 4, 5, 8 & 9 Apr
BRETT BLAKE
Little Turd
Coopers Inn - Heritage Room
26 - 29 Mar
In 2002 Brett Blake was charged for assaulting a public officer. Is he guilty? You be the judge.
Nominated for best show at the 2025 Melbourne Comedy Festival
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 29 Mar
BRONWYN KUSS
Bronwyn & Sons
ACMI
26 Mar – 19 Apr
A drunk witch told Bronwyn she should have a baby. She didn’t. But she could have. It’s not that hard. Anyway, this is about what happened instead.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26, 29 & 31 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
CELIA PACQUOLA
Gift Horse
Comedy Theatre
26 Mar - 5 Apr
Celia wasn’t planning on doing a show in 2026, then her boyfriend gave her an inflatable kayak for her birthday... So here we are.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 Mar and 2, 3 & 5 Apr
CLAIRE HOOPER
fun show xx
QT Melbourne
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Claire Hooper is gonna discover how to have fun.
Or she’s gonna ruin fun for everyone.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26, 27 & 31 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
DAVE HUGHES
Cooked
Morris House - Basement Comedy Club / Comedy Theatre
26 Mar - 19 Apr
There is no one else that comes close to the phenomenon that is Dave Hughes. Behind that cooked looking facade is a mind that works like no other.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 11 & 18 Apr (Comedy Theatre only)
DAVE THORNTON
More or Less
Victoria Hotel
26 Mar – 19 Apr
A seasoned performer whose shows have been described as ‘devastatingly effective’ (Chortle), Dave is back with a brand-new hour of stand-up
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26, 27 & 29 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
DAVE WOODHEAD
Weight and Height
Coopers Inn
26 Mar - 5 Apr
Dave Woodhead is a big fella. How big, you ask?
Find all the answers to the big questions when Woodhead makes his grand return to the Melbourne Comedy Festival!
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26-29 & 31 Mar and 1-5 Apr
DENISE SCOTT
Tickety Boo
Comedy Theatre
25 Mar – 5 Apr
After more than a decade away from solo performance, beloved Australian comedian Denise Scott is making a triumphant return to the stage.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 25 & 26 Mar and 1-3 Apr
DILRUK JAYASINHA
Gratitude Guy
Victoria Hotel
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Dilruk Jayasinha is the GOAT (gratefullest of all time)!
Dilruk has appeared on Utopia and Celebrity MasterChef Australia and filmed a stand-up special for Amazon Prime.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 31 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
FERGUS NEAL
Boy
Trades Hall
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Fergus brings his sharp wit and warm storytelling to the weird world of boyhood. BOY is a heartfelt hour about finding your way as a man—whatever that means.
$25 FOR 25 available for all sessions
GERALDINE HICKEY
A Weight Off My Chest
Comedy Theatre
7 - 19 Apr
I had breast reduction surgery, but they took them all. I didn't want them. As seen on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Spicks & Specks, The Cheap Seats and Have You Been Paying Attention
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 7-9 & 13-15 Apr
GILLIAN COSGRIFF
Life, Oh Life
Arts Centre Melbourne
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Award-winning musical comedian Gillian Cosgriff is here to talk about life. Not just her life. Not just your life. Life as a concept.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26, 29 & 31 Mar and 2-5, 8 & 9 Apr
HANNAH GADSBY
The Evening Muse
The Malthouse
26 Mar - 19 Apr
The Evening Muse…It’s like a Tonight Show, but it’s hosted by Hannah, so it probably isn’t anything like what you’d expect.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 2-5 Apr
JENNY TIAN
When Life Gives You Oranges
Melbourne Town Hall
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Fresh off touring the United States, Jenny Tian is back in Australia with her brand-new show.
*this show is not about oranges
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 Mar and 1, 2, 5, 8 & 9 Apr
JORDAN BARR
Choir Girl
The Westin Four
26 Mar – 19 Apr
Jordan is unbulliable. This show is about the people who have tried.
Expect embarrassing stories, dark humour, and a weird chick demanding your attention
$25 FOR 25 available for all sessions
JOSH THOMAS
Jiggle Jiggle
Arts Centre Melbourne
26 Mar - 19 Apr
"This year I just want to have fun. Jiggle, jiggle" – Josh Thomas
Creator and star of international sensations Please Like Me and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 31 Mar and 1, 2, 4, 7-9, 15 & 16 Apr
KATH EBBS
Cowboy C*untry with Kath Ebbs
Melbourne Town Hall
Fri 27 Mar
Cowboy Country is a Queer line dancing event...or should I say rodeo, for all!
Hosted by Sydney based actor and content creator Kath Ebbs.
$25 FOR 25 available for all sessions
LANO & WOODLEY
in Space
Comedy Theatre
25 Mar - 5 Apr
Filled with their virtuosic physical routines and hilarious love/hate bickering, Lano & Woodley in Space is side-splitting fun to infinity and beyond.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 1 Apr
LIZZY HOO
Says Hoo?
Melbourne Town Hall
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Says Hoo? is a brand-new hour of stand-up comedy from your fave comedian Lizzy Hoo (now with short hair, yep she's in her bob era).
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 2-5, 8 & 9 Apr
LLOYD LANGFORD
Okay, I Believe You
Victoria Hotel
7 - 19 Apr
A brand-new stand-up comedy show from a man that sounds like a YouTube video played at half speed.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 8, 9, 15 & 16 Apr
LOU WALL
Where Are All The Tall Grandmas?
The Malthouse
26 Mar - 19 Apr
In this hilariously unhinged hour, Wall dives into the disappearance of tall old women everywhere.
“Wall is a comedy whirlwind.” New York Times, 2025
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 31 Mar and 1, 2, 7-9, 15 & 16 Apr
MICHAEL HING
Real Human Man
QT Melbourne
26 Mar - 19 Apr
A brand-new hour of jokes and stories from a man who has spent a lot of his life having to convince people he's not a robot.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
NATH VALVO
Home Body
Victoria Hotel
26 Mar - 5 Apr
Nath's been out of the house...the drama of it all! Jokes, gossip and high-kicks at a sensible hour.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 29 Mar and 1 & 2 Apr
NICK WHITE
Nick White's Talent Night
Arts Centre Melbourne
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Nick White craves validation from audiences. This year he is upping the ante by seeking validation through 6 additional personas that live through him.
25 FOR $25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 1-5 Apr
NIKKI BRITTON
Not To Be Dramatic...
QT Melbourne
26 Mar - 5 Apr
Nikki Britton has made being a silly bitch an artform.
Seen on Have You Been Paying Attention, Guy Mont's Spelling Bee and soon, Amazon's Deadloch.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26, 29 & 31 Mar and 1-5, 8, 9,15 & 16 Apr
NOAH SZTO
Med School
Comedy Theatre
Sat 18 Apr
Melbourne Comedy Festival 2025 Directors’ Choice Award Winner — and yes, an actual medical doctor — Noah Szto returns with his award-winning show "Med School"!
PETE & FRANKIE ROWSTHORN
Smooth and Wrinkly
Melbourne Town Hall
7 - 19 Apr
Aussie Comedy Icon Pete Rowsthorn is pairing up with his daughter, triple j’s Frankie Rowsthorn.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 7-9, 12, 15, 16 & 18 Apr
PETE HELLIAR
An International Kerfuffle
ACMI
26 Mar - 19 Apr
In this hilariously true story, Pete Helliar finds himself at the centre of a media firestorm.
Directed by Zoë Coombs Marr
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 8, 9, 15 & 16 Apr
ROVE MCMANUS
Tonight's Guest: Rove McManus (tales from the talk show trenches)
Arts Centre Melbourne
7 - 19 Apr
Rove McManus has had over 25 years of talk show hosting under his belt. That's a lot of talking - so why stop now?
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 8, 9, 12, 15 & 16 Apr
SAM TAUNTON
This Must Be The Place
QT Melbourne
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Join Sam for this 60 minute story, filled with a lifetime of suburban misadventures and nostalgia.
“Serendipitous comedy gold.” The Age
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26-29 Mar and 1-3, 5, 8 & 9 Apr
SEZ
Sorry, What?
Victoria Hotel
26 Mar - 19 Apr
An hour of music, comedy and questionable life choices.
“If you only see one dyslexic, bisexual musical comedian this festival, make it Sez.” ★★★★ The Age, 2025
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26-29 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
THE FAIRBAIRNS
Fair Dinkum
ACMI
7 - 19 Apr
The Fairbairns are bringing an hour of sketch comedy live to the stage for the very first time.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 8, 9, 12, 15 & 16 Apr
TILLY ODDY-BLACK
Tilly Does A Show
Chinese Museum
7 - 19 Apr
Tilly Oddy-Black brings her online world to the stage for the first time.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 7-9, 12, 14, 15 & 16 Apr
TOM BALLARD
Be Funny Challenge (Impossible)
Trades Hall
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Australia’s Special Envoy For Comedy Tom Ballard returns in 2026 with a new show packed with jokes
As seen on Fisk, Deadloch, Tonightly, Guy Mont Spelling Bee.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 1-5, 8 & 9 Apr
TOM GLEESON
Out of Touch
Regent Theatre
9 - 19 Apr
Hard Quiz host. Taskmaster Australia host. Gold Logie winner. 5 times AACTA winner.
Tom Gleeson is completely out of touch. His head is up his arse.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 9, 10, 12, 16, 17 & 19 Apr
TOMMY LITTLE
Namaste The Fuck Away From Me
Comedy Theatre
7 - 19 Apr
After a decade of being fuelled by whiskey and adrenaline Tommy decided it was time to treat his body to some wellness.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 7-9 Mar and 12-16 Apr
WIL ANDERSON
Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout Wil?
Comedy Republic
26 Mar - 19 Apr
After a 2025 sold-out national tour of his completely improvised stand-up show, Wil Anderson is back. Every night a different show for the audience in the room.
WILL GIBB
Condfidence is Key
Melbourne Town Hall
26 Mar - 19 Apr
Comedian Will Gibb takes the audience through his battle with having TOO MUCH condfidence and the situations he's ended up in because of it.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 26 & 29 Mar and 1-5 Apr
ZOË COOMBS MARR
Busy Club (Work In Progress)
The Motley Wherehaus
28 Mar - 19 Apr
Art residency meets comedy concert, as Zoë takes over a venue to custom build her own world from scratch & finally put her sculpture degree to use.
$25 FOR 25 available for sessions: 28 & 29 Mar and 4 & 5 Apr
MOOSHEAD BENEFIT
Melbourne Town Hall
Sun 19 Apr
The finale to the world’s greatest comedy festival. Curated by those in the know, this lineup is always jam-packed with the very best super star headliners.
ASRC Benefit
Stand Up For Refugees
Comedy Theatre
Sun 12 Apr
After three years of total sell-out shows – co-hosts Wil Anderson & Tom Ballard are back with the hottest ticket of the Melbourne Comedy Festival
