Melbourne International Comedy Festival

If you love stand-up comedy or like to laugh, come to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to witness Australia’s largest comedy festival and the world’s third-largest festival.

Melbourne has hosted the event since 1987, and it runs for 4 weeks each year, beginning at the end of March and running into April.

Melbourne Comedy Festival 2024 Dates, Program Schedule & Lineup

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival hosts hundreds of shows throughout its run, with the list growing yearly – now at over 700 shows. The Comedy Festival includes award-winning performances by famous comedians, debates, comedy performances and an opening night comedy gala.

In previous years, there have been many headliners and seasoned regulars, including Stephen K Amos, Akmal, Wil Anderson, Rich Hall, David O’Doherty, Arj Barker, Ross Noble, Paul Foot, Tom Green, Celia Pacquola, Hannah Gadsby, Joel Creasey, Judith Lucy, Matt Okine, Tom Gleeson, Peter Helliar, Sarah Kendall, Dave Thornton, Dave Hughes, Carl Barron, Charlie Pickering, Fiona O’Loughlin, Felicity Ward and Lawrence Mooney – to name a few.

The Gala

The red carpet is once again rolled out for the biggest night on Australia’s comedy calendar.

Join us as the Festival’s brightest stars gather on the iconic Palais stage for a one-off, never-to-be-repeated night of nights. The Gala is not just a comedy extravaganza; it’s a powerful force supporting Oxfam’s mission to eliminate poverty and tackle global inequality.

It’s the comedy event of the year so tickets won’t be around for long. Book now to be part of the magic and to support Oxfam – changing the world by empowering communities to tackle poverty.

Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow

Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow is the ultimate kick-off to nearly four weeks of uninterrupted comedy brilliance! Prepare to be dazzled by a star-studded line-up featuring comedy royalty from around the globe and a special few of the soon-to-be-stars guaranteed to be making waves in April.

It’s the most sought-after ticket in town for one night only at the iconic Palais Theatre. It is guaranteed to sell out quickly, so book your tickets now!

The 34th Annual Great Debate

Knowledge is power, except in The Great Debate, where knowledge is optional, and power lies with the moderator.

As is tradition, six comedic heavyweights will take to the stage for an epic showdown this year, debating whether AI is OK. There’ll be underdogs, overenthusiasm, and all-around laughs.

RAW Comedy National Grand Final

For the past 28 years, emerging comedians from all corners of Australia have gathered to showcase their comedic prowess in RAW Comedy, the nation’s largest and most prestigious open-mic comedy competition.

This year is no different, as countless up-and-coming comedians from across Australia have triumphed over their rivals and stormed their way into the finals to emerge as the ultimate “hidden gem” of the comedy world. The question on everyone’s mind: Who will emerge triumphant and take the 2024 RAW Comedy Crown?

Join to discover who claims the highest honour in Australia’s largest and most esteemed open mic competition!

RAW Comedy National Finalist alumni include Anne Edmonds, Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Matt Okine, Becky Lucas, Aaron Chen, Sarah Kendall, Sam Simmons, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor, Rhys Nicholson, Tom Ballard, Sam Campbell, Georgie Carroll, David Woodhead, Cassie Workman and more.

Comedy Zone Asia Allstars

Comedy Zone Asia is back with an Allstars edition featuring beloved fan favourites and exciting discoveries in one very special big show!

Diverse, dynamic, and downright hilarious, this show presents the finest and funniest voices from across Asia for a one-night-only dose of laughter. It promises to be the Festival’s must-see of 2024!

Featuring Daniel Fernandes (India), Ting Lim (Singapore), Jenhan Kuah (Malaysia), He Huang (China), Jason Leong (Malaysia), Kanan Gill (India), Sam See (Singapore), Showko (Japan), Takashi Wakasugi (Japan) and Urooj Ashfaq (India).

Deadly Funny National Grand Final

For the past six months, this deadly competition has crossed the country – heading to more towns than ever before – to unearth the freshest, fiercest, funniest comedians and yarn spinners from the oldest culture on earth!

Featuring the 2024 national finalists and special guest performers, the Deadly Funny National Grand Final is a must-see Festival showcase, shining a light on some of the brightest stars in Australian comedy.

Join a hilarious line-up of emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent for one massive show. Stories are shared, the laughs are strong, and everyone is welcome.

Class Clowns National Grand Final

The search is on for Australia’s funniest high-schooler!

This one-of-a-kind, national secondary school comedy competition encourages teenagers to unleash their comic voice through stand-up, sketch, musical or physical comedy.

The Class Clowns National Grand Final is the main event – the best of the best – with finalists from across the country coming together in Melbourne for one huge teen comedy bash!

With a stellar line-up of guest appearances from Festival favourites, the Class Clowns National Grand Final is an incredible showcase of the next generation of Australian comedy stars.

The (Very) Big Laugh Out

One massive day of free-flowing family fun on Good Friday! Kick off the school holidays laughing with a huge day of comedy at Fed Square.

Featuring world-class street performers, joined by the best physical and musical comedy acts in the biz. It’s undeniably the most fun way for the family to spend the start of the long weekend.

The (Very) Big Laugh Out is renowned for its exciting and surprising all-ages programming jam-packed with stellar acts. The best bit? It’s totally FREE!

Upfront

Upfront is back, and it’s going to be a riot!

This one-night-only showcase is a powerhouse of wit, energy and charm, featuring the boldest female and non-binary artists in the biz. A highlight of the Festival every year, Upfront is your chance to see comedy legends alongside the freshest, most audacious voices on the scene.

So, what are you waiting for? Do whatever you can to be in the room for a massive night of stereotype-smashing comedy as these trailblazers take to the big Town Hall stage… and own it.

Unstoppable. Unapologetic. Unmissable. Book your tickets now!

So, if you love live comedy, come and experience this exciting event with thousands of others who flock to comedy shows all over Melbourne. Please check out the official website at https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/ for a full list of artist dates, times, ticket prices and venues.