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A group of people walk outside the Comedy Theatre. Signs for the Melbourne Comedy Festival are up in lights.

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.

Image is of Abby Howells standing in a pink lacy dress. She has blonde short wavy hair and it holding a doll that looks similar to her. She is standing in front of a red curtain.
ABBY HOWELLS
The Cave

The Westin, Three
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

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Image is of Alex Ward. Alex has medium length brown hair and is wearing a off-white sweater. She is standing in front of a light brown backdrop and smiling.
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?

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Alexei Toliopoulos has short brown curly hair and a moustache. He is wearing a yellow un-buttoned shirt, white t-shirt and a gold necklace. The background is white
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

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Brett Blake is waring a black shirt and jacket. He has a brown beard and a mullet. The background is grey.
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

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Bronwyn Kuss is wearing a blue button up shirt. She has red curly hair. Her body and face is turning toward the side and she is looking off camera. The background is beige.
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.

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Celia Pacquola has medium length brown wavy hair. She is wearing a white sweatshirt and large pink hoop earrings. She has a worried look on her face and she is looking out of frame. The background is burnt orange.
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.

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Claire Hooper has short blonde wavy hair. She is wearing a purple patterned dress and is looking into the camera lens and smiling. Claire is holding a bunch of orange roses and is sitting in front of a red background.
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.

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Dave Hughes has short grey hair and is wearing a green and orange checkered shirt. He is standing in front of a blue backdrop and smiling.
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.

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Dave Thornton has short brown hair and a beard. He is wearing a white under shirt and a navy blue buttoned up top. He is sitting in front of a door. The background has been edited to have a blue filter.
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

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Image is of Dave Woodhead. He has long curly light coloured hair which has been pulled into a bun. He has an orange beard and is wearing a denim jacket with a blue and gold trim. He is standing in front of a red background and smiling.
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!

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Denise has short blonde hair. She is wearing a silky and velvet textured top that is green, purple, brown, yellow and pink. There is a floral pattern on her shoulders. She is smiling out of the frame.
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.

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Image is of Dilruk Jayasinha. He is wearing a grey shirt and a black leather jacket. Dilruk has short dark hair and a dark beard. He is smiling into the camera lens.
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.

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Image is Fergus Neal. Fergus has long brown hair and is wearing a dark sweatshirt. He is holding up an iPhone and looking into the screen with a surprised expression on his face. The image has been edited to look like Fergus is a cartoon.
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.

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Image is of Geraldine Hickey standing in front of a yellow background and smiling. She has short grey hair and is wearing a colourful buttoned up shirt.
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

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Image is of Gillian Cosgriff. Gillian has medium light coloured hair and bright blue eyes. She is wearing a grey skirt and a white frilly top. She is stepping through an oval cut out. The background is pink and the oval is blue.
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.

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Image is of Hannah Gadsby standing on a stage and holding a microphone stand. They are wearing a black velvet dinner jacket.
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.

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Image is of Jenny Tian wearing a long sleeve green and white striped shirt and navy blue overalls. She has long black hair and red lipstick. Jenny is holding three oranges and looking into the camera.
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

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Image is of Jordan Barr who has long wavy blonde hair and is wearing a purple zip up jacket. The background is a purple starry galaxy.
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

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Image is of Josh Thomas wearing a green buttoned up shirt. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He is leaning sideways and smiling into the camera. He is standing in front of a orange background.
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.

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Image is of Kath Ebbs standing on stage and holding a microphone. They are wearing a black singlet and have short blonde curly hair.
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.

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Image is Lano (left) and Woodley (Right). They are both wearing blue and red astronaut uniforms and looking into the camera.
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.

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Image is of Lizzy Hoo. She is wearing a green and blue Squiggly shirt. The background is the same pattern as the wallpaper and Lizzy is camouflaging into it. She has short brown hair and glasses.
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).

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Image is of Lloyd Langford wearing a green button up shirt. He is standing in front of a pink background and has a confused expression on his face.
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.

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Lou Wall has long orange hair that has been pulled back into a ponytail. They are wearing a green Adidas jacket and a white Adidas top. The background is purple.
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

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Image is of Michael Hing wearing a grey suit, white shirt and brown reading glasses. He is leaning and looking into the camera. The background is red.
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.

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Image is of Nath Valvo wearing a white and blue patterned shirt. He has short brown hair and is smiling toward the side of the camera. The background is a grey blue.
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.

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Image is of Nick White wearing a stripy blue and white shirt. He has short brown hair, a beard and blue eyes. He is looking into the camera and smiling without teeth.
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.

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Image is of Nikki Britton. Nikki has long blonde hair and blue eyes. Blue fabric is draped over Nikki and the frame of the image. She is cradling a bit of the fabric and looking into the camera.
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.

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Image is of Noah Szto wearing a white button up shirt and reading glasses. He has short wavy hair. The background is grey.
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"!

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Image is of Pete (left) and Frankie (right) Rowsthorn looking into the camera and smiling. Pete is wearing a light blue button up shirt and Frankie is wearing a dark long sleeve shirt.
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.

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Image is of Pete Helliar. He is dressed in the Australian soccer jersey and has a deflated soccer ball on his head like a hat. He is wearing faded green and yellow face paint and looks disheveled. The background is green.
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

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Image is of Rove McManus wearing a blue suit and white shirt. The camera is above Rove and he is reaching up his right hand toward the lens.
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?

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Image is of Sam Taunton. Sam has short brown hair and is earring a navy blue rain jacket. He is looking up to the top left and smiling. The background is light brown.
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

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Image is of Sez. Sez has long brown hair and big blue eyes. She is wearing a blue and white striped shirt and a denim jacket. She is holding an acoustic guitar and looking into the distance.
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

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Image is of The Fairbairns. Jaxon is wearing a black tshirt and Lachlan is wearing a white tshirt. Both have blonde wavy hair. The background is grey.
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.

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Image is of Tilly Oddy-Black. Tilly is wearing a white t-shirt and has long blonde hair. She is looking up and smiling.
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.

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Image is of Tom Ballard standing in a field. He is holding a mic stand in one hand and dangling a microphone in the other. He is wearing black jeans, a pink button shirt and a navy blue jacket.
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.

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Tom Gleeson sits in front of a grey backdrop. He's wearing a black tshirt and smiling.
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.

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Image is of Tommy Little. Tommy is lying on a mustard coloured corduroy pillow and has an incense coming out of his ear. There is smoke surrounding the image. He is smiling.
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.

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Image is of Wil Anderson. Wil has short grey hair and is wearing a dark jacket. He is smiling and looking to his left.
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.

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Image is of Wil Gibb. He is wearing a red and orange crocheted top and is posing toward the camera. Wil has red hair and the background is orange.
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.

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Image is of Wil Anderson and Tom Ballard kneeling on a stage in front of a audience. Both are wearing ASRC Benefit t-shirts.
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

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2026 Mooshead Benefit in bold red text is to the left of the image. A moosehead is to the right of the image and the background is a composite image of previous performers. There is a blue filter on the background.
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.

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More news

Dave Hughes announces 2026 tour!
Lano & Woodley in Space – national tour on sale now!
Wil Anderson Announces 2026 Tour