The must-see shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Paging McDreamy, we have a funny bone emergency. More than 600 comedians from every corner of Australia and across the globe are about to descend on the Victorian capital for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest LOLapalooza: the 36th Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF).

Taswegian heroes Luke McGregor and Hannah Gadsby get the snort-laughing party started,
hosting the Oxfam-supporting Gala and then the official Opening Night Comedy Allstars
Supershow, respectively, both at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre. There’s also a one-night-only encore of Rhys Nicholson’s Most Outstanding Show award-winner Rhys! Rhys! Rhys! from last year’s MICF.

Here are our top shows to see at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so book those seats – and stat!

Can't get a hold of a babysitter but want to see some comedy? Make sure you check out the best kids' shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.