Sydney Comedy Festival

If you love stand-up comedy or just like to laugh, come to the Sydney Comedy Festival to witness one of the largest comedy festivals in Australia.

Sydney has hosted the event since 2005, and it runs for four weeks each year – beginning at the end of April and running into May.

The Sydney Comedy Festival hosts hundreds of shows throughout its run, with the list growing yearly. 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 Sydney Comedy Festival Gala is typically held in April at the Sydney Opera House. The Comedy Festival kicks off after that and runs through April and most of May.

So, if you love live comedy, come and experience this exciting event with thousands of others who flock to comedy shows all over Sydney. There are too many shows to list here, so please check out the official event website for a full list of events, venues and ticket prices.

GREAT LAUGH IN THE PARK – FREE FAMILY FUN DAY

Join us for a jam-packed day of laughter, fun, and incredible performances—all for FREE! Hosted by Jimmy Rees (Giggle & Hoot), with Dorothy the Dinosaur (the Wiggles), The Listies (ABC Kids), and heaps more bringing the laughs, this is the family event of the season!

There are activities to keep the kids entertained all day:

• Gasp at acrobatic feats in the Alcazar Circus Tent
• Be part of the comedy at the Giggle Garden
• Learn some new skills in the Circus Playground
• Get dressed up with face painting and temporary tattoos

With food trucks for the whole family and plenty of comfortable seating, you can spend the whole day laughing in the park.

In the evening, join us for the COMEDY GALA ON THE GREEN – a free comedy gala featuring Sara Pascoe (UK), Drew Lynch (US), Aunty Donna + HEAPS MORE.

Close out the evening with a FREE concert by FURNACE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS + FIREWORKS!

GALA ON THE GREEN – FREE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY GALA

Featuring a dazzling line-up of the funniest international stars and Australian legends, this free-entry outdoor gala is not to be missed!

With Jimmy Rees, Sara Pascoe (UK), Drew Lynch (US), Aunty Donna, Nick Cody and heaps more.

Bring your picnic blanket, drink from our pop-up bar, and enjoy the world’s best comedy as the sun sets over the harbour.

Close the evening with a FREE Furnace & the Fundamentals concert + FIREWORKS!

BREAK OUT COMEDY

Meet the future of comedy at Break Out – a showcase of Australia’s best up-and-coming comedians. Get ready to laugh as these four future comedy superstars break out into the limelight.

Frankie Rowsthorn is an up-and-coming 22-year-old comedian and radio host working on air at Triple j. She’s opened for big comedies like Maria Bamford, Monty Franklin, Becky Lucas and Rhys Nicolson. Having already been featured on Channel 10’s Celebrity Amazing Race and Melbourne Comedy Festival “Comedy Zone” showcase in 2024, this girl is someone to watch.

Alan Fang is a four-year Stand-up who’s performed at the Comedy Store and Enmore Theatre. He is a member of the OG Crew with 950k subscribers on YouTube and has performed in videos that have reached 27M+ Views (TikTok) and 10M+ views (YouTube). He has also produced sketches with 130 thousand+ views.

Stella Wu, 2024 RAW Comedy Grand National Finalist. Hong Kong-born comic wow is lighting up stages across Australia. Her unique blend of humour from two worlds guarantees a night of laughter and cultural insight you won’t forget!

Toby Berowne is an 18-year-old Sydney comedian. He first started comedy a year and a half ago in high school but has been working the club scene for the last year. His material is mostly surreal, and absurd observations looped into some whacky storytelling. Toby often performs at the Newtown Hotel, the Bank Hotel, and the Newcastle Comedy Club.

BEST OF THE FEST

The 20th birthday edition of our one-hour showcase, hosted five nights a week across the Festival at the Factory Theatre Festival Hub! Bringing you a surprise line-up of the biggest local stars each night, this year gearing up to be the biggest rendition to date.

Get a taste of the Festival at a bargain price.

FRESH

The Sydney Comedy Festival is proud to present its FRESHEST acts. These comedians, who hail from all corners of the country, are participating in the festival for the very first time.

With all tickets under $22, catch some of Australia’s up-and-coming acts before they become household names.

COMEDY CRAWL

The Sydney Comedy Festival is taking to the streets with the festival’s inaugural Comedy Crawl in YCK Laneways, a night of comedy across four of the CBD’s best nightlife spots. Enjoy four comedy sets by four brilliant comedians at four trendy bars guided by a hilarious MC.

Join your charismatic comedian guide as they lead your group from stylish speakeasies to cozy corner booths to catch comedy sets from the Sydney Comedy Festival’s favourite comics, picking up a cocktail or two along the way.

Share laughs and refreshments and make new friends as you explore the hidden gems of the CBD. Today is the day to discover your new favourite bar – or comedian!

Your starting point for the crawl will be in the CBD, between Wynyard and Town Hall.

You will receive an email/text with the address of the starting point, so keep an eye out! If you are attending with friends, make sure they all book the same session so you can be in the same group.