In its first three years, Cream City Comedy Festival staged a total of over 40 shows with close to 200 comedians from Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison, and New York for a few days each May. Even more impressive than the independent comedy festival’s lineup is the fact that all the shows were free—with any donations being donated to the ACLU and mental health charities.

The donation-based comedy festival will return for a fourth year with close to 70 local and national comics performing at a 16 venues from May 9-12 to raise funds for United Performing Arts Fund. This year’s Cream City Comedy Festival features headliners Carmen Lagala and Langston Kerman in its ranks. Adding to the stacked bill are local standouts like A.J. Grill, Dana Ehrmann, Elijah Holbrook, Regan Niemela, and Carter Deems. Kainalu, Immortal Girlfriend, Caley Conway, and Yung Zucchini will also add music to the fest.

Get ready for this weekend’s fest by checking out the daily schedule and lineups for all SIXTEEN shows happen during this year’s Cream City Comedy Festival. All lineups are listed from host to headliner. Get more information on start times here.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

The Opening Ceremony with Carmen Lagala @ 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Raegan Niemela
Duval Culpepper
Elizabeth Norman
Karl Hess
Carmen Lagala

Verified Laughs @ Puddler’s Hall
Daryll Schmitz
Ameerah Sanders
Lucia Whalen
Mike Atcherson
Carter Deems
Alex Price
Olivia Corkery Perry
Dana Ehrmann
Ali Drapos

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Vino Third Ward Showcase @ Vino Third Ward
Matt Werner
Elizabeth Teets
Matt White
Elijah Holbrook
Erik Scott
Rebecca Robinson
James Fisher Jr.
Alex La
Sam Wiles

The Sugar Maple Comedy Showcase @ The Sugar Maple
Nate Seek
Paige Bowman
Karl Hess
Stephanie O.
Lupe Estrada
Shelly Paul
David Philips
Bennett Brown
John McCombs

Var Gallery & Studios Presents Langston Kerman (and more) @ Between Two Galleries
Olivia Corkery Perry
Ali Drapos
Mike Atcherson
AJ Grill
Langston Kerman

Hear Here Presents: The Comedy & Music Show @ Twisted Path Distillery
Ryan Holman
Elizabeth Norman
John Dick Winters
Lily Schulder
Greg Kennedy
Naomi Spungen
Steve Gerard
Matt Kennedy
Charlie Vergos
…and music by Immortal Girlfriend

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Daydrinkers Comedy Showcase @ Bremen Cafe
Naomi Spungen
Mary Zee
Lupe Estrada
Clare Austen-Smith
Matt Kennedy
Sam Wiles
Erik Scott
Andrew Tavin

The Tailgate Show @ High Dive
Chris Schmidt
Annie Russell
Alex Price
Alexandra Tsarpalas
Dana Ehrmann
Steve Gerard
Jeff Spankowski
David Philips
James Fisher Jr.

Arguments & Grievances @ Angelo’s Piano Lounge
Zach Peterson
John Dick Winters
Willie Macc
Duval Culpepper
Bennett Brown
Lily Schulder
Elise Fernandez
Stephanie O.
Joe Bates

Mom Genes @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Kristin Lytie & Alexandra Tsarpalas
Will Krolowitz
Raegan Niemela
Ian Erickson
Jamie Shriner
Charlie Vergos
Cynthia Marie
Tyler Horvath
John McCombs

Diamond Comedy Hour @ Art Bar
Alex Kumin
Elise Fernandez
Rebecca Robinson
Paige Bowman
Lucia Whalen
Ameerah Sanders
Meghan DePonceau
Hatty Preston

Live On Air @ Riverwest Film & Video
Carter Deems
AJ Grill
Kristin Lytie
Kenyon Adamcik
Elizabeth Teets
Zach Peterson
Shelly Paul
Eric Smith
Matt White
Preston Tompkins

The 6th Annual Zucchini Party @ Company Brewing
Kainalu
Bestfriends
Yung Zucchini

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Hangover Comedy Show @ Var Gallery & Studios
Ian Erickson
Kenyon Adamcik
Clare Austen-Smith
Eric Smith
Cynthia Marie
Preston Tompkins
Greg Kennedy
Willie Macc

B*tch & Purge @ Boone & Crockett
John Leadley
Kate Mitchell
Christian McCann
Will Krolowitz
Alex La
Harper-Rose Drummond
Meghan DePonceau

The Closing Ceremony @ Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom
Elijah Holbrook
Daryll Schmitz
Hatty Preston
Jeff Spankowski
Tyler Horvath
Jamie Shriner
Joe Bates
Andrew Tavin

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.