10+ more must-sees at the Canberra Comedy Festival
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If you thought we were done spotlighting the funniest acts heading to town, think again.
The 2026 Canberra Comedy Festival– taking place from Monday 16 until Thursday 26 March – is stacked with talent from start to finish, with everything from drunken Shakespeare to rising stars ready for their big break.
Here are 10 more shows you’ll want to lock into your calendar before tickets inevitably disappear.
Wil Anderson: Watchu Talkin’ Bout Wil
Coming off the back of his sold-out national tour in 2025, Wil Anderson is coming to the Canberra Comedy Festival with his completely improvised stand-up show – no script, no safety net, no two nights the same.
Performing in the iconic Street Theatre, each evening will be crafted specifically for the audience in the room. It’s fast, it’s fearless, and it’s a unique festival experience to remind you why Wil Anderson is one of the best comedic minds of his generation.
Wednesday 18, Thursday 19, Friday 20, Saturday 21, Sunday 22 March | Book your seat here.
Ivan Aristeguieta: Ready To Mambo!
After multiple wins at the Adelaide Fringe, Ivan Aristeguieta is back with a show that promises hilarity and joy in a time of turmoil and chaos.
Ready To Mambo is all about dancing through life’s curveballs and chasing laughter when things are overwhelming. You might have seen him on Have You Been Paying Attention and Thank God You’re Here, but nothing beats seeing his infectious energy live on stage.
Thursday 19 March | Book your seat here.
Chris Ryan, Tom Gibson, Danny Bensley: The B-Team
A decade in the comedy trenches has forged Chris Ryan, Tom Gibson and Danny Bensley into a tight-knit unit of sharp, battle-tested comedians.
The B-Team delivers fresh material, heroic missteps, and stories from years of open mics and near misses. There’s camaraderie, a touch of chaos and the electric kind of energy that can only come from comedians who have truly earned their stripes.
Friday 13 and Saturday 14 March | Book your seat here.
RAW Comedy ACT State Final
For nearly three decades, RAW comedy has been discovering Australia’s next big stand-ups, and this year’s Canberra Comedy Festival is the best place to see the future of Australian comedy.
Presented in partnership with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, this state final showcases emerging local talent battling it out for a place at the national grand finale. Expect fresh material, bold risks and that unbeatable “I saw them before they were famous” feeling.
Friday 13 March | Book your seat here.
Anneli Cole: Babe, Interrupted
If your brain has ever sabotaged your to-do list, you’ll feel right at home with Anneli Cole. In Babe, Interrupted, she unpacks what it’s like navigating adulthood with a mind that sometimes behaves like an overtired toddler.
Blending vulnerability with razor-sharp wit, Anneli reflects on mental health, growing up, and the messy business of building a life. It’s raw, relatable and very, very funny.
Saturday 14 March | Book your seat here.
Makedonka and Marie: Aerobics: Wog Style
Have you ever wanted to go back to the era of fluro sweats, Lycra, and feeling the burn? Probably not, but for old times’ sake, pull up your leg-warmers and take it old school with Makedonka and Marie.
Bringing their debut show Aerobics: Wog Style to the Canberra Comedy Festival, this Macedonian-Greek duo will blow your scrunch socks right off with their anecdotes full of hometown nostalgia, and casual racism, all while teaching how to really pronounce ‘Tzaziki’. In one jam-packed hour, Makedonka and Marie will not only bring peace to their nations through fitness but remind everyone that no matter where in the world we come from, we can all agree that burpees suck!
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March | Book your seat here.
Anisa Nanduala: No Small Talk
Fresh off a Best Newcomer nomination at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Anisa Naduala is bringing her unfiltered storytelling to Canberra.
No Small Talk dives into workplace drama, neighbourly tension, near altercations and a long-awaited return trip to Africa that delivered more than just souvenirs. You might recognise her from Talkin’ Bout Your Gen, but this is Anisa unleashed, bold and hilarious.
Saturday 14 March | Book your seat here.
Akmal: My Family and Other Criminals
Akmal returns to Canberra with a show dedicated to the wonderfully questionable characters who helped shape his life.
From an uncle who faked his way through medicine to clergy members with their own skeletons in the closet, My Family and Other Criminals is a masterclass in storytelling. Absurd, outrageous and deeply personal, it’s classic Akmal with lots of unpredictability and lots of laughs.
Saturday 14 March | Book your seat here.
Stephen K Amos: Now We’re Talking
The gloves are off! International comedy heavyweight Stephan K Amos is back in Australia and ready to let loose. In Now We’re Talking, he dives headfirst into what gives him the ick, what makes him tick and everything in between.
With no filter and no topic off limits, Stephen makes sharp observations, spontaneous riffs and the kind of polished storytelling that has made him a global favourite from his appearances in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to I’m A Celebrity Australia.
Friday 20 March | Book your seat here.
Kirsty Webeck: Lost For Words
Looking for a show that is playful, inclusive and fun? Look no further than Kirsty Webeck. Don’t miss this award winning comedian (who is known for her upbeat and relatable brand of comedy), as she takes to the stage to share her new show.
You’ve already seen her on the TV on season two of Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee (where she broke the record for the most episodes won), so make the most of the oppertunity to see her in person and on a local stage!
Friday 20 March | Book your seat here.
Charlotte Kuruc & Caitlin Maggs: Package Deal
Canberra’s favourite electrician and uni student combo are teaming up for a double dose of laughs in this cheeky stand-up showcase. Charlotte Kuruc & Caitlin Maggs: Package Deal sees one unsuccessful RAW Comedy national finalist plus another (yes, they brag about it!) reuniting after their sold-out shows and a cameo in the Canberra Comedy Festival Gala last year.
Friday 20 March | Book your seat here.
