The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is back with a bang, and even more laughs!
Are you a bundle of laughs? The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world and is perfect for comedy lovers everywhere.
Held annually in Melbourne – otherwise known as Australia’s comedy capital – the Melbourne International Comedy Festival features a super exciting combo of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performances, and much more!
The festival plays a key role in bringing together the hottest stars on the comedy scene across Australia, such as Lizzy Hoo, Aaqib Merchant, Michael Hing, Alex Ward, and Charlie Pickering, – as well as stellar international acts from England, Scotland, America, Mexico, India, Singapore, and more.
Each autumn, for three and a half weeks, the Melbourne Town Hall and surrounding precincts transform into a huge and action-packed comedy hub. Throughout the festival, patrons can enjoy a diverse mix of local and international talent, with something for everyone across a wide range of venues.
Where: Melbourne Town Hall and CBD (various venues)
When: 25th March – 19th April 2026
Tickets
Register with a festival account to secure your tickets for all the shows you’ll love!
Highlights
The festival brings the wonderful art of comedy to a wide range of Melbourne locals, interstate travellers, and overseas visitors. Will you join the fun this season?
You can browse all the awesome shows in alphabetical order here. Key highlights include:
- RAW Comedy: Groundbreaking and original, Raw Comedy launched the careers of comedy legends like Aaron Chen and Hannah Gadsby. Don’t miss this roaring good time with up-and-coming talent, raw and unfiltered.
- Deadly Funny: Cheeky and loud, these stellar performances from First Nations artists such as Steph Tisdell, Janty Blair, Dane Simpson, and Elaine Crombie, will have you in stitches. They’re deadly funny and proud of it!
- Class Clowns: Be part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival’s national development program for young people! Don’t miss the youngsters clowning around this season.
- Roadshow: The Roadshow is the festival’s travelling showcase of talent. Don’t miss out on this curated line-up of comedy legends as they journey across Australia, bringing charm wherever they go.
Did you know? Launched in 1987 by comedy legends Barry Humphries and Peter Cook, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has transformed into Australia’s largest ticketed cultural event! Each year, 770,000 attendees flock to Melbourne’s CBD for plenty of laughs, creativity, good company, and great value for money.
Getting there
Train: Flinders Street station is located approx. 200m from the main Melbourne International Comedy Festival venue. Access from Flinders Street to the venue is via Federation Square.
Tram: There are several tram stops located close by. Check out the Public Transport Victoria website for timetable information.
Car: Secure Parking has partnered with the festival, offering ticket holders discounted parking at selected car parks. The closest Secure Parking to the main venue is at 300 Flinders St (approx. 500m away). Check out the Secure Parking website for more details.
‘The Festival values irreverence, inventiveness and creativity, inclusiveness and accessibility, freedom of speech and respect for all.’ – Melbourne International Comedy Festival team
Where to stay
Choose Airport Tourist Village Melbourne (ATVM) as your accommodation partner. Book your stay with ATVM for comfort, cosiness, and easy access to Melbourne’s most side-splitting International Comedy Festival in the heart of the city.
Our Studio Deluxe Cabins are just a hop, skip, and a laugh away from the CBD near Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. The Studio Deluxe Cabins feature a queen bed and are perfect for singles or couples. If you’re flying into Melbourne from interstate, stay with ATVM as a comfy base for all your Melbourne International Comedy Festival needs.
Airport Tourist Village Melbourne (ATVM) is the ideal accommodation for Melbourne event stays. Affordable, accessible, and super comfortable, ATVM offers a range of cabins and facilities to suit the needs of individuals, families, and groups. Located just minutes from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, ATVM really is the top choice for travellers and city-goers wanting to combine convenience with modern comfort.