Get Amongst It at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026

The 40th edition of Melbourne International Comedy Festival has rolled into town with its usual top-notch mix of stand-up, cabaret, cinema, stage shows and more.

The 2026 program is jam-packed with hundreds of shows from local and international acts – which can be a little overwhelming for punters who are short on time and hungry for laughs.

To save on decision paralysis, here are some of our top picks for the festival ahead (in no particular order).

Lizzy Hoo (Aus) – Says Hoo?: The hilarious Broadsheet fave and podcast host has a brand-new hour of stand-up riffing on golf, travel, and breaking up at the cake shop. Runs till April 19 at Melbourne Town Hall Supper Room.

Sam Jay (USA) – We The People: The Emmy-nominated writer (Saturday Night Live) and star of HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay explores her country’s demise. Nominated for Best Comedy Show at Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025. Runs till April 19 at Melbourne Town Hall Cloak Room.

Anisa Nandaula (Aus) – No Small Talk: The Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen regular and nominee for Best Newcomer at MICF 2025 dives headfirst into her return to Uganda after a decade away. Runs till April 19, various venues.

Better Off Said: For the Living and the Dead: Local creative legends Marieke Hardy and Emilie Zoey Baker host a one-off spoken-word art salon featuring a line-up of top comics. April 11 only, Melbourne Town Hall Lower

Hannah Gadsby (Aus) – The Evening Muse: The Emmy-award-winning Melbourne comic and Netflix fave follows up blockbusters like Nanette and Douglas with their take on a tonight show. Runs till April 19 at The Malthouse.

Sophie Duker (UK) – The Sophie Duker Show: The Taskmaster champ finally blesses Melbourne with her award-winning comedy that takes the piss out of privilege. Runs till April 19 at The Greek Paw Paw Jump.

Stella Young Documentary Fundraiser: The Melbourne disability activist and comic died not long after winning the Best Newcomer award at MICF 2014. Here comics who knew and loved her work join forces to support a new doco on her (stellar) life. April 11 only, The Malthouse.

Abby Govindan (US, India) – Pushing 30: Fresh off a sold-out world tour, the NYC-based comedy headliner returns with a new hour of jokes about dating, getting older and breaking generational curses. Runs till April 19 at The Greek Apollo.

Phil Wang (UK, Malaysia) – Uh Oh: The Have I Got News For You regular – who’s also got two Netflix specials under his belt – is back with a new stand-up show and a real vibe shift. Runs till April 19 at Max Watt’s.

Elaine Crombie (Aus) – Grief, Love and Lead Balloons: The First Nations comic and actress, recently seen in Top End Bub, finds the funny in her journey through a season of grief. Runs till April 5 at Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room.

Reuben Kaye (Aus) – The Kaye Hole: The drag and cabaret icon hosts a comedy variety show where the riskiest, queerest and most diverse acts let loose, all backed by a live band. April 10 and 11 only, Athenaeum Theatre One

Zainab Johnson (US) – Toxically Optimistic: Following her Amazon Prime comedy special Hijabs Off, the NYC-based comedian returns with a new show about charity dating and wild animals. Runs till April 5, Melbourne Town Hall Portrait Room.

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Sharon Wanjohi and Thor Stenhaug – New Order UK: Three of the UK’s hottest young comedians in one big show. Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Best Breakthrough Act winner at the 2019 Scottish Comedy Awards, is best known for hit podcast Here Comes the Guillotine with Frankie Boyle and Susie McCabe. British Kenyan queer comedian Sharon Wanjohi comes fresh from an Edinburgh Fringe debut and a nomination for the Sean Lock Comedy Award 2025. Norwegian transplant Thor Stenhaug is an infectiously positive storyteller who’s fresh off sold-out Edinburgh Fringe shows and a double-run at London’s Soho Theatre. Runs till April 19 at Melbourne Town Hall Cloak Room.

See the full line-up for the 40th Melbourne International Comedy Festival here.