Get ready for your sides to ache from laughing because the highly anticipated annual Brisbane Comedy Festival is coming back after a record-breaking 2025 season of more than 90,000 attendees and 400+ performances, and promises an even more hilarious 2026 edition from April 24 to May 24, spanning four iconic Brisbane venues: The Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli, The Fortitude Music Hall, and The Princess Theatre.
With over 100 artists and everything from local to international talent, from stand-up to alternative Shakespeare and political comedy, it can be hard to choose what to see!
The Opening Gala will start off the festival on the right foot, with an incredible line-up chock-full of hilarious comedians. And, of course, throughout the whole month there will be solo shows from big names such as Colin Mochrie, The Umbilical Brothers and Joanne McNally.
For those who are looking for a little something different, there will be themed shows such as Infectious, which features nurse-turned-comedian Georgie Carroll’s outrageous healthcare anecdotes and absurdities, and Sh!t-faced Shakespeare, which is exactly what it sounds like: a rowdy, drunken performance of The Bard’s Hamlet that’ll have you rolling.
If you’d rather more straightforward stand-up, after more than a decade away from solo performance, Aussie icon Denise Scott makes a triumphant return to the stage with her new solo show Tickety Boo, blending her observational humour with her most personal work yet. Or feel understood at Melanie Bracewell’s Dilly Dallying, a tight set all about procrastination. You can also witness breakout stars such as Scottish Connor Burns, who will have you rolling with his quick-witted new show Gallus, promising to be equal parts sharp and lightning fast.
Once your cheeks hurt from smiling you can play it cool and go to After Hours, the festival’s late-night variety show with a mix of special acts and top-tier local comedians, with a lineup that will be announced weekly.
Whatever you choose, we advise you to be punctual, as many shows have a lock out policy. Plus, that gives you time to grab a drink and buckle up for some side-splitting fun!
Practical information
Brisbane Comedy Festival will run from April 24 to May 24. The shows will take place at Brisbane Powerhouse, Fortitude Music Hall, The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre.
The full program will drop in March, so keep an eye out for our updates!
Tickets are on sale now and prices vary from show to show. You can see the line-up so far and get your tickets here.