10 must-sees at the 2026 Canberra Comedy Festival
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Here’s some news to tickle your funny bone – Canberra’s biggest comedy event is back for another year.
Turning the capital into a chuckle-fest as comedians take over the city, we’re officially counting down the days until the 2026 Canberra Comedy Festival sees some of the world’s best comedians take to local stages.
Taking place from Monday 16 until Thursday 26 March, this year’s 10-day event has an overflowing program featuring both local and international stars – ranging from fan favourites to new up-and-comers.
To help you figure out what you should buy tickets to, we’ve scoured the shows to find 10 acts you absolutely won’t want to miss.
As Jim from Duffy says, “this will put Canberra on the map.” Thanks Jim.
Sarah Ison: Hot Seat
You might know her as the Senior Political Reporter for the Australian, but it turns out Sarah Ison also has a funny side. Usually keeping federal political reporting and stand up separate, in Hot Seat she’s decided to let her two worlds collide (for the second time).
Following the success of her first show You Laugh, Therefore I Am, her new show Hot Seat will take you behind the scenes of…well, how she ended up in the hot seat. From sharing an awkward moment with Donald Trump to neatly getting trafficked in Albania, expect to hear some rollicking good stories.
Friday 13 March | Book your seat here.
Dave Hughes: Cooked
Hughes-y we have a problem. And that’s that there are limited spots to this show, so you’d better be quick to score a ticket. Now more brutally honest than ever, Dave Hughes is one of Australia’s best comedians – don’t miss this opportunity to see him on a Canberra stage.
Wondering what you should expect? Like with any Dave Hughes show, the unexpected. But you will (hopefully) laugh.
Friday 13 March | Book your seat here.
Tanya Losanno: Boulevard of Broken Bonbonnière
From the two-time Moosehead recipient and Women’s Room comedy group member comes a new show all about celebrating the tacky to the trendy of wedding trinkets. Stay with us here.
Balancing hilarity with tenderness, in Boulevard of Broken Bonbonnière Tanya Losanno will spend an hour celebrating her obsession with weddings and bonbonnieres (AKA wedding favours). And as a former guest, flower girl, bridesmaid, bride, MC and now Celebrant, you can bet she has some thoughts. Will they be absurd? Maybe. Go along to hear them for yourself.
Sunday 15 March | Book your seat here.
Canberra Comedy Festival Gala
For those struggling to choose just one comedian to see, the Canberra Comedy Festival Gala offers the perfect solution.
A two-hour showcase featuring some of the very best acts from the festival line-up, it has the perfect mix of local favourites and international comedy superstars. Whether you’re a die-hard comedy lover or are experiencing the festival for the first time, there’s sure to be something you’re sure to enjoy.
Tuesday 17 March | Book your seat here.
Canberra Comedy Festival Debate
The Canberra Comedy Debate brings selected performers with the sharpest wit from across the festival and pits them against each other for your entertainment. What’s not to love? The topic of this year is “Relationship age gaps don’t matter!”
The concept is simple: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z…can you mix them together, or is it a recipe for disaster? Find out when Rob Carlton, Nick Starkey and Trish Hurley take on Chris Ryan, Jacqui Richards and Hamish Hudson. Your moderator, Tom Gibson has no chance of getting anything sane out of this lot!
Wednesday 18 March | Book your seat here.
Wedding Ring, suffeRing
Bringing two real Canberra couples – one married 12 years and the other 40 years – onto the stage, this show will unpack love, culture, and long-term relationships that will tickle the feathers of love birds everywhere.
Stepping into the “boxing ring” armed with stand-up, storytelling, and plenty of roast-style banter, it’s a hilarious look at marriage that will see Jelin Palm and Nick Palm demonstrate quick-fire comedy chemistry, while Sarah Stewart does what she does best. Mark Stewart is just going along because Sarah told him to.
Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March | Book your seat here.
Lizzy Hoo: Says Hoo?
Let’s get this out of the way – yes, Lizzy is in her bob era, and it’s just one reason to see her new show, Says Hoo? After a busy 12 months appearing on Have You Been Paying Attention? and Crime Night as well as jet setting across Asia as the voice and face of an airline, she’s making her way to Canberra to…basically question her life choices.
Go along for moral support. And to see her rock the bob.
Thursday 19 March | Book your seat here.
Dilruk Jayasinha: Gratitude Guy
After taking a break from touring last year, Dilruk Jayasinha realised something: he’s spent most of the last few years whinging about his life. To be fair, a heart attack off the back of a global pandemic and a breakup are reasonable ingredients for a solid sook.
But now he’s trying to focus more on what’s going right in his life. Confidently claiming his superpower is “gratitude”, support him as he tries to return to being the GOAT (gratefullest of all time).
Friday 20 March | Book your seat here.
Sammy J: Hero Complex
A real-life, hilarious comic book adventure that will have you laughing long after it’s over, this show from award-winning comedian Sammy J needs to be at the top of your list. But first, you need to know the origin story.
30 years ago, Sammy J traded comics with his school gardener. 10 years ago, he wrote a show about it. Now, the tale is returning with bonus content and fresh surprises, proving that sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. BYO superhero cape.
Friday 20 March | Book your seat here.
Melanie Bracewell: Dilly Dallying
New Zealand comedian, actress, and scriptwriter Melanie Bracewell is coming to Canberra for one night only for an hour of comedy that will leave you giggling long into the night.
While we don’t really know what the show is about – she didn’t get around to writing a proper bio because she was in the middle of a sudoku – we do know the theme: procrastination. That sounds about right, doesn’t it?
Saturday 21 March | Book your seat here.
Images supplied.
