Be a part of the Festival!
Registrations for the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival will open later in the year
Registrations for the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival will open later in the year, please check back later, or sign-up to the Festival's participant newsletter to be notified when registrations open.
For Performers - Registering a Show
Registrations for the 2026 Festival will open in October 2025.
For Performers - Finding a Venue
A database of potential independent venues interested in hosting a Festival show in 2026 is available via our Festival Venue Finder – please note that the Venue Finder is currently being populated, and we encourage you to check back again once registrations open. Individual show producers must contact venues directly. See below for further information on performing in or applying for a Festival Managed Venue (FMV).
For Venues - Venue Expressions of Interest
To express interest in being a Festival venue in 2026 please complete the Venue Expression of Interest form here and we will add you to our database.
For Performers - Overseas Artist Expressions of Interest
All international artists (with the exception of New Zealand artists) must have approval to perform as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Overseas artists are welcome to complete an expression of interest via completing an Overseas Artist Expression of Interest Form and emailing it to registration@comedyfestival.com.au.
For performers - Festival Managed Venue (FMV) Expressions of Interest
Expressions of interest for performing in a Festival Managed Venue (FMV) in 2026 are now open. Expression of interest can be submitted via this form.
This page was last updated on 13 August 2025.
Artists' Resources
Please note these Artists Resources are provided as references from the 2025 Festival. Updated Artists Resources will be available prior to registrations opening.
Not quite ready for a Festival show?
If you're interested in trying stand-up, but not quite ready to perform a full show, then head over to our development programs' websites to find out more info about how to find your feet. The Festival's Deadly Funny, RAW Comedy and Class Clowns competitions might be for you!
Registrations for the RAW Comedy, Class Clowns and Deadly Funny programs will open later in the year – make sure you like us on Facebook (RAW Comedy, Class Clowns and Deadly Funny) for announcements.