Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: The best-known comedy festivals are Netflix Is A Joke Fest in Los Angeles, Just for Laughs in Montreal (every July), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (every August), the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March to April), the New York Comedy Festival (November) and SF Sketchfest (January to February). Each mixes big-name headliners with new comics, and most accept applications from performers.
Key takeaways
- Los Angeles has its own giant: Netflix Is A Joke Fest, which ran its 2026 edition May 4–10.
- Montreal, Edinburgh and Melbourne are the international heavyweights.
- Festivals are scouting grounds for agents, managers and TV bookers.
- Buy early. Headliner shows sell out fast.
- The smaller shows are where you’ll find tomorrow’s stars.
The best comedy festivals at a glance
| Festival | Where | When | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Is A Joke Fest | Los Angeles | Spring (May 4–10 in 2026) | Hundreds of shows across LA venues |
| Just for Laughs | Montreal, Canada | Every July | Galas, industry scouting, founded 1982 |
| Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Edinburgh, Scotland | Every August | World’s largest performing arts festival |
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival | Melbourne, Australia | About four weeks, March–April | Huge stand-alone comedy festival since 1987 |
| New York Comedy Festival | New York City | Every November | 200+ comedians across all five boroughs |
| SF Sketchfest | San Francisco Bay Area | January–February | Sketch, improv, stand-up and live podcasts since 2002 |
1. Netflix Is A Joke Fest (Los Angeles)
Netflix’s festival turns LA into a citywide comedy event, with stand-up, podcast recordings, table reads and live tapings. The 2026 edition ran May 4–10 with more than 475 shows, 500 artists and 45 venues, according to the festival. For LA comedy fans it’s the biggest week of the year, and many shows happen in the same rooms covered in our guide to comedy clubs in Los Angeles.
2. Just for Laughs (Montreal)
Founded in 1982, Just for Laughs is held every July in Montreal and is known for televised galas and as a scouting ground for new talent. In March 2024 the company behind it went bankrupt and its festivals were canceled, but Quebec comedy company ComediHa acquired the festival that May and it continued in a smaller form.
3. Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Scotland)
The Fringe, established in 1947, is the world’s largest performing arts festival. Comedy is a huge part of it. In 2025 it ran for 25 days with 3,893 shows across 301 venues and sold more than 2.6 million tickets.
4. Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Australia)
First held in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs for about four weeks, usually from March into April, with Melbourne Town Hall as its hub. It describes itself as the largest stand-alone comedy festival in the world.
5. New York Comedy Festival
Founded by Caroline Hirsch and launched in November 2004, the New York Comedy Festival runs for a week each November with more than 200 comedians in more than 150 shows across all five boroughs.
6. SF Sketchfest (San Francisco)
Founded in 2002 by David Owen, Janet Varney and Cole Stratton, SF Sketchfest runs in January and February and mixes sketch, stand-up, improv, tributes and live podcasts.
How do you plan a trip to a comedy festival?
- Pick one festival based on dates, budget and the kind of comedy you like.
- Sign up for the festival newsletter so you hear when lineups and tickets drop.
- Book lodging near the main venues; late shows end after public transit slows down.
- Mix headliners with small shows. The cheap late-night showcases are where new comics break.
- Leave gaps for food, travel between venues and last-minute shows.
How do comedians get into comedy festivals?
- Apply early. Many festivals open applications months in advance.
- Send your best tape: a recent, clean recording of a tight set with a real audience. See how to write your first five minutes.
- Expect fees at some festivals, and read the rules before you pay.
- Use the festival: agents, managers and bookers attend to scout new talent.
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- Stand-up comedy tips for your first open mic
- How to write a comedy script
- How to be funny: tips from the way comedians think
- Comedy clubs in Los Angeles: where to see stand-up
- The best stand-up comedians of all time
- Careers in comedy: jobs, writers’ room roles and how to start
- Improv comedy: what it is, the rules and how to start
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest comedy festival in the world?
It depends how you measure. Just for Laughs in Montreal and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival both describe themselves as the largest international comedy festivals. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest performing arts festival overall, with a huge comedy program.
Is there a comedy festival in Los Angeles?
Yes. Netflix Is A Joke Fest takes over venues across LA. The 2026 edition ran May 4–10 with more than 475 shows at more than 45 venues, according to the festival.
When is Just for Laughs?
Just for Laughs is held every July in Montreal.
How do comedians get into comedy festivals?
Most festivals accept applications with a video of a recent set, often with an application fee and a deadline months before the event. Bigger festivals also book acts through agents, managers and scouts.
How do I plan a trip to a comedy festival?
Pick a festival, buy tickets as soon as lineups drop, book lodging near the main venues, and leave gaps in your schedule for smaller late-night shows, where new comics often shine.
Sources
- Just for Laughs, Wikipedia (founded 1982, 2024 bankruptcy and ComediHa acquisition)
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Wikipedia (1947, 2025 figures)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Wikipedia (1987)
- New York Comedy Festival, Wikipedia (2004)
- SF Sketchfest, Wikipedia (2002)
- Netflix Is A Joke Fest (2026 dates and figures)
Image credits
- Featured image: The Doug Anthony All Stars performing at Melbourne Town Hall during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 2016, by Canley, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
- A street performer on the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, by The JPS, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Comedian Aaron Karo at the Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles, by ALOHAmeansaloha, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Sarrah Sanchez is a home, arts, and crafts-minded creative who brings a maker’s eye to her writing. With several years in the online writing space, she covers entertainment and lifestyle for The LA Note, and she’s set on taking her craft as far as it will go.
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