As 2025 draws to a close, many of the country’s major arts festivals and performing arts companies are making announcements about what programming they have in store for 2026. Despite all of the woes in the world, the arts are providing us with a lot to look forward to, and one thing is clear: we could all use some good comedy to lift our spirits and help make sense of things.
Thank goodness, then, that there’s already a bunch of exciting acts being announced for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 40th anniversary program in 2026.
Now claiming the title as the world’s largest dedicated comedy festival, MICF’s 2026 line-up will see the return of festival favourites, long-awaited solo debuts, and a fresh influx of acclaimed global talent hitting Melbourne stages across the Festival season from 15 March to 19 April.
In particular, the Malthouse Comedy program is one to keep an eye on. Malthouse Theatre just dropped an exciting first taste of the 2026 line-up – and the brief is cool clowns, queer genius, and Aussie legends.
After delivering its biggest year yet in 2025 and cementing itself as a major hub of MICF, this festival-within-a-festival will get the theatre warmed up ahead of Malthouse’s bumper 2026 program, celebrating its 10th anniversary with the supreme talents of Hannah Gadsby, Lou Wall, Rob Carlton, Garry Starr, and Elf Lyons. (Read more about these acts below.)
The best shows to see at MICF 2026
Here’s a taste of the comedians that ArtsHub is looking forward to seeing at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Garry Starr
After winning MICF 2025’s Most Outstanding Show award and earning a five-star review from ArtsHub, Garry Starr is bringing back his hit show Classic Penguins for a run at Malthouse – a must-see riotous literary quest to re-tell all of the Penguin Classics in one hour (without wearing pants…). Tickets & show info here.
Hannah Gadsby
Making their Malthouse Comedy debut, Hannah Gadsby (Nanette) will present their most unpredictable show yet in The Evening Muse. It’s described as ‘like a Tonight Show, but it’s hosted by Hannah, so it probably isn’t anything like what you’d expect …’ Tickets & show info here.
Lou Wall
After dominating the international comedy circuit, the electrifying Lou Wall (Nominee for MICF 2025’s Most Outstanding Show) premieres their hilariously unhinged new hour Where Are All the Tall Grandmas? at Malthouse Comedy. Following their previous four-star show Breaking the Fifth Wall, we’re expecting chaotic genius. Tickets & show info here.
Elf Lyons
Following the playful genius of her four-and-a-half-star reviewed show Horses – rising British comedy icon, festival favourite, and winner of the Sky Arts Best Comedy Award, Elf Lyons brings us her latest serving of surreal, animalistic humour with Swan. Coming to Australia for the first time, it’s a cult classic, critically acclaimed, one-woman punk reimagining of Swan Lake from the cult-favourite clown lady. Tickets & show info here.
Sam Nicoresti
Following a breakout run at Edinburgh Fringe where she scooped up the Best Comedy Show award, Sam Nicoresti (UK) brings her highly anticipated show Baby Doomer – a look at her trans experience woven into tales from D&D and Zelda – which is sure to be one of the most sought after tickets at the Festival. Tickets & show info here.
Phil Wang
You might recognise him from his Netflix specials (Wang In There, Baby! and Philly Philly Wang Wang) or his various appearances in the British panel show tele-verse. Now, Phil Wang (Malaysia/UK) is back for more. Exclusive to Melbourne, he will debut his new hour of stand-up, Uh Oh, for a full season at the Comedy Festival. Tickets & show info here.
Zainab Johnson
Following her hit stand-up special Hijabs Off (Amazon Prime), Zainab Johnson (US) returns to MICF after winning over Melbourne audiences with her appearances in Headliners 2018 and again in the 2024 festival. Zainab will perform her bold new hour of comedy, Toxically Optimistic. Tickets & show info here.
Daniel Sloss
Scotland’s international comedy superstar Daniel Sloss (SCO) will unleashe his brand-new show Bitter at MICF. Guaranteed to be brilliant and devastatingly hilarious, this one will sell out. Tickets & show info here.
Ian Smith
Yorkshire’s Ian Smith (UK) makes his solo Melbourne debut with one of Edinburgh 2025’s hottest shows, Foot Spa Half Empty – his critically acclaimed new show about stress, love and buying a magic spell off Amazon. Tickets & show info here.
He Huang
Rising stand-up star and critical darling He Huang (White Man’s Burden) is back with her new show, T.E.M.U Joke Factory. Huang will assume the role of benevolent team leader, guiding the audience through manufacturing a comedy show bit by bit, live on stage. Expect ‘mass produced jokes for cheap disposable laughs’. Tickets & show info here.
Reuben Kaye
Any break between Reuben Kaye shows is too long, if you ask us. Luckily, the rhinestone-studded cabaret clown is never seems to be far from a stage. Following The Party’s Over at MICF 2025, his musical theatre debut in Jesus Christ Superstar and many other fabulous exploits, Reuben is back with Hard To Swallow. Expect glitter, guts and the kind of biting comedy only Kaye can deliver. Tickets & show info here.
