Newcastle’s biggest month of comedy will be back in 2027

Following a hugely successful 2026 festival, the Newcastle Comedy Festival will return in 2027, bigger and funnier than ever before. 

After breaking the 2025 festival numbers that saw nearly 7,000 comedy fans converage on venues across the city (and sold out most shows). 

Newcastle Comedy Festival has well and truly cemented itself as one of Australia’s must-visit comedy events.

Backed once again by the City of Newcastle, the festival continues its rapid rise on the national comedy calendar.

Gala Night: July 18, Civic Theatre - Sold Out

The sold out Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala festival opener set for July 18 at the Civic Theatre, will bring together an all-killer, no-filler lineup that reads like a greatest-hits list of Australian and New Zealand comedy. Line-up included; Brett Blake, Chris Ryan, Daniel Muggleton, Kirsty Webeck, Lizzy Hoo, Luke Heggie, Luke McGregor, Tom Cashman (MC), and Wil Anderson. 

Gala Night: July 25, Civic Theatre 

With the first Gala the fastest-sell out in the festival’s history, a second night was announced, ensuring more audiences can experience the biggest night on the Newcastle comedy calendar.

Artists include: Mel Buttle • Andrew Hamilton • Lizzy Hoo • Stephanie Broadbridge • Bec Charlwood • Dave Thornton • Sez • Takashi Wakasugi • John Cruckshank • Dan Rath • Paige Hally. 

This is the kind of night where you laugh, cry, text your group chat mid-interval, and wonder how Newcastle landed a lineup this good.

And That’s Just the Beginning

This year's festival saw performances rolling out across the Civic Theatre, Playhouse, Conservatorium, and the brand-new Newcastle Comedy Club.

Building on the momentum of 2025 and now 2026– where the majority of shows sold out – the 2026 festival ran across the entire month, featuring stand-up, sketch, musical comedy, and special events that continue to position Newcastle as a major destination for live comedy in Australia.

Stay tuned in early 2027 for all the news, and fresh lineup of Newcastle Comedy Festival.