Our History
Melbourne International Comedy Festival: A Global Comedy Giant
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal's Just for Laughs. Held annually in Melbourne, Australia’s comedy capital, the festival features a rich mix of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performances, and more.
A Brief History
Launched in 1987 by comedy legends Barry Humphries and Peter Cook, the festival has grown into Australia's largest ticketed cultural event, with over 770,000 attendees and an average ticket price of $35, remaining both popular and affordable.
A Comedy Hub for Everyone
Each autumn, for three and a half weeks, the Melbourne Town Hall and surrounding precincts transform into a giant comedy hub. The festival showcases both local and international talent, offering something for everyone in a wide range of venues. The festival plays a key role in uniting the comedy scene, offering the necessary environment and promotional support while also creating and managing many of the venues.
Our Mission
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival aims to discover, develop and showcase great talent for the entertainment and inspiration of a broad-based audience. The Festival values irreverence, inventiveness and creativity, inclusiveness and accessibility, freedom of speech and respect for all.
Year-Round Commitment to Comedy
Although the festival only runs for three and a half weeks, we are committed to bringing the art of comedy to as many people as possible, while at the same time providing opportunities for Australian’s to develop their skills. Our key showcases and initiatives are:
Australia’s largest open-mic competition, running from November each year.
A workshop and showcase for indigenous comedians, creating new career paths.
A national competition for secondary school students, nurturing the next generation of comedians.