The 2026 Sydney Comedy Festival will feature brand-new events, Australian exclusives, and more than 400 shows, in its biggest programme ever.
The family-friendly outdoor comedy showcase, the ‘Great Laugh In The Park’, will return to Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park following a sell-out first outing last year. It will once again be hosted by Australian comedy legend and ABC Kids’ ‘Giggle And Hoot’ presenter Jimmy Rees OAM. He’ll lead a ferociously funny line-up for all ages, including Bluey and Bingo.
For the big kids at heart there’s Comedy Gala On The Green the following day, showcasing a hilarious selection of great comedy superstars including Tiffany Haddish, and hosted by the one and only Guy Montgomery.
In two Australian exclusives, global superstar Tiffany Haddish is set to bring her fearless stand-up to the State Theatre. . . And then star, creator and writer of Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer’, Richard Gadd, will join the proceedings for a special live, on-stage conversation at Sydney Opera House for one night only.
For the first time ever, get ready to set sail on the Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Cruise, as it undertakes its maiden voyage on an ocean of laughs. You can board the HMS Comedy at Darling Harbour, grab a drink at the shipboard bar, and then settle down to see some of the festival’s funniest comedians all in one place. . . While taking in the beauty of Sydney Harbour.
Another festival favourite, the Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Crawl, will return bigger and better than ever in 2026. This year, there’ll be six crawls across Sydney hotspots, whether it’s beachside rooftops in Manly, historic pubs in The Rocks, craft breweries in Rozelle, or iconic queer clubs in Oxford Street.
This is all on top of the huge list of big names appearing throughout Sydney Comedy Festival already. . . Including Daniel Sloss, Joanne McNally, Reuben Kaye, Celia Pacquola, and the hilarious whodunnit play ‘Cluedo’.
“With almost 400 shows over five massive weeks of comedy, we are please to welcome you to the biggest Sydney Comedy Festival programme ever,” Sydney Comedy Festival General Manager James Declase says. “Get ready to laugh, Sydney, we have many surprises in store for you.”
“The Sydney Comedy Festival is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and is bringing big laughs to the party. It’s their biggest programme yet with global comedy superstars, Australian legends and the best emerging stand-ups, all showcasing why Sydney is the nation’s premier destination for world-class cultural experiences and hilariously fun times,” Minister For Jobs And Tourism Steve Kamper says. “With more than 850 performances across Sydney, this year’s festival will energise the city’s venues and entertainment precincts like never before.”
Sydney Comedy Festival is on from 13 April-17 May.
