Sydney Comedy Festival

With all the doom and gloom in the world today, we sure could use a belly laugh. Good news – the Sydney Comedy Festival is turning 21 and you're invited to the celebrations from April 13 to May 17, 2026. That’s five glorious weeks and more than 400 shows that guarantee plenty of LOLs. 

SCF has two exclusives this year: Star power shines through the likes of Tiffany Haddish who brings her stand-up to the State Theatre on April 25 and the Enmore Theatre on April 26. And, if you loved the 2024 Netflix hit Baby Reindeer, catch its creator Richard Gadd for a special in-conversation event at the Sydney Opera House on May 11. Consider your funny bone officially tickled.

We’re super happy to report that the Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Crawl is back with six offerings across top-notch bars. Led by a stellar host, you will join a group and proceed to sip and laugh your way from one bar to the next for bite-sized comedy sets. All sessions sold out in 2025, so get in quick. 

Love seeing multiple acts in one night? The Comedy Gala is for you – with a massive show at the Sydney Opera House and the closing event at Enmore Theatre.

Also returning is Comedy Gala on the Green at Darling Harbour's Tumbalong Park on April 18, with global superstars and the delightful Guy Montgomery as host. Make sure to return the very next day for the outdoor comedy showcase Great Laugh in the Park (April 19). Kids will get a hoot out of seeing ABC Kids' Giggle and Hoot host Jimmy Rees OAM and their fave blue heelers Bluey and Bingo in the Bluey Live Interactive Experience.

What's new this year? The Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Cruise. Set sail at Darling Harbour and ride a wave of wisecracks with the funniest comedians on board.

As always, there's a colossal list of big names appearing in the Festival, including Aussie comedy legends Akmal, Daniel Sloss, Joanne McNally, Reuben Kaye, Celia Pacquola, Jason Leong, Dave Thorton, Effie, Jenny Tian, Mandy Scotney and Sashi Perera to name a few.

The Festival will be spread across eclectic venues all over the city like the multi-stage hub of Marrickville’s Factory Theatre, Comedy Store, Darling Quarter Theatre and Newtown’s legendary Enmore Theatre. Plus, there are shows going down in Chatswood, Penrith, Bondi and more.

SCF is a great opportunity to see your favourite headliners in the flesh – but even better, it’s your chance to catch new talent, so get out there. 

Sydney Comedy Festival runs from April 13 – May 17, 2026 across multiple Sydney venues. General release tickets are on sale here. 

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🍽️ Heading to Enmore for a show? Try one of these restaurants.

🍸 Have a pre-show tipple at one of these bars.