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SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL OPENS TODAY!

Sydney Comedy Festival

Key Facts:
  • Sydney Comedy Festival runs from 13th April to 17th May 2026, featuring over 400 shows in its biggest programme ever
  • Family event 'Great Laugh in the Park' returns to Tumbalong Park on 19th April, featuring Jimmy Rees OAM and Bluey Live Interactive Experience
  • Global superstar Tiffany Haddish headlines multiple shows, including performances at the State Theatre and Enmore Theatre
  • The Festival introduces its first Comedy Cruise on Sydney Harbour, alongside six Comedy Crawls across different Sydney locations
  • Programme includes international acts like Daniel Sloss and Joanne McNally, plus the comedy play CLUEDO

Press Release

For Immediate Release 

 

SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL OPENS TODAY! 

 

13th April, 2026: The Sydney Comedy Festival kicks off today in fine form, bringing the very best of local and international comedians to our harbour city, alongside a line up of exciting new events in the Festival’s biggest program ever, until 17th May. 

Family-friendly outdoor comedy showcase, the Great Laugh in the Park, returns to Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park on Sunday 19h April, following a sell-out first outing last year. Australian comedy legend, ABC Kid’s Giggle and Hoot’s Jimmy Rees OAM who leads a ferociously funny line-up for all ages, including your favourite Heeler sisters, Bluey and Bingo, in the Bluey Live Interactive Experience Bring mum, dad and the kids for a jam-packed day of laughs, fun and incredible performances under the Sydney Sky, running from midday to 8:30pm.

For the big kids at heart, Comedy Gala on the Green will return to Tumbalong the following day on Saturday 18th April, with a hilarious selection of comedy’s greatest global superstars including Tiffany Haddish,  hosted by the one and only Guy Montgomery. 

 Another Festival fave, the Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Crawl, returns bigger and better than ever in 2026 with not one but SIX crawls across Sydney hotspots – from beachside rooftops in Manly, historic pubs in The Rocks, craft breweries in Rozelle to iconic queer clubs in Oxford St.

Global superstar Tiffany Haddish brings her fearless stand-up to the State Theatre on 25th April and the Enmore Theatre on the public holiday eve 26th April while an epic line up of talent including Daniel SlossJoanne McNallyReuben Kaye, Celia Pacquola, and the hilarious whodunnit play, CLUEDO will keep audiences laughing across the city. 

 And for the first time in 2026, join the Sydney Comedy Festival Comedy Cruise as it undertakes its maiden voyage on an ocean of laughs. Board the HMS Comedy at Darling Harbour and grab a drink at our shipboard bar, before settling down to see the Festival’s funniest comedians all in one place, all while taking in the iconic sights of the Sydney Harbour. 

“With over 400 shows over five massive weeks of comedy, we are pleased to welcome you to the biggest Sydney Comedy festival program ever. Get ready to laugh, Sydney, we have many surprises in store for you!” said Sydney Comedy Festival General Manager, James Declase.  

The Sydney Comedy Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. 

Full program, and tickets are on sale now via www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au 

 

MEDIA IMAGES FOR DOWNLOAD 

- ENDS - 

 

About us:

https://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/


Contact details:

Jessica Kenway -

[email protected]

Marygrace Lardizabal -

[email protected]

Attachments

Press Release Sydney Comedy Festival kicks off.pdf

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