Milwaukee Comedy Festival celebrates 21 years of laughs
Annual event will present 11 shows and more than 30 comics Oct. 5-11
MILWAUKEE, WIS. – The Milwaukee Comedy Festival, one of the nation’s longest running annual comedy events, celebrates 21 years of presenting the best in live comedy October 5-11, 2026 with more than 30 comics performing across 11 different shows and special events at venues across Milwaukee. The Festival will begin with the annual Roast Of Milwaukee presented by Milwaukee Record at The Cooperage. Shows will also take place at Great Lakes Distillery, The Laughing Tap comedy club, and a final festival show at Shank Hall with national headliner Shane Torres on Sunday, October 11.
In addition to this year’s headliners, the Festival will feature more than 30 comedians from across the nation, at five different venues throughout Milwaukee, WI. Highlights include a Comedy Festival edition of Cask Comedy at Great Lakes Distillery, and several events at The Laughing Tap comedy club, which recently relocated to the heart of Downtown Milwaukee.
Tickets and more information on the 21st annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival are available via the official website, mkecomedyfest.com. Note: Lineup is subject to change.
About the Milwaukee Comedy Festival
The Milwaukee Comedy Festival is Wisconsin’s longest running multi-day comedy event, celebrating 21 years of presenting the best local, regional, and national comedic talent. The festival has featured top-notch performers from across the country having appeared in movies and television including Comedy Central, Netflix, HBO, Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, BET, Conan, Late Nite, Hulu, and many more.
More information on the Milwaukee Comedy Festival is available at http://mkecomedyfest.com via social media @mkecomedyfest, or via email [email protected].
2026 Milwaukee Comedy Festival Calendar of Events
Monday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
The Roast Of Milwaukee at The Cooperage
Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Cask Comedy at Great Lakes Distillery
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
Hump Day Ha-Has
at TBA
Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
Laugh A Lot Thursday at The Laughing Tap
Friday, Oct 9 at 7 p.m.
Primetime Laughs at The Laughing Tap
Friday, Oct. 9 at 10pm
Late Night Laughs
At The Laughing Tap
Saturday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.
Matinee Mayhem at The Laughing Tap
Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
Saturday Night Laughs
at The Laughing Tap
Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 p.m.
Night Owl Comedy at The Laughing Tap
Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.
Sunday Fun Day at The Laughing Tap
Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Shane Torres & Friends at Shank Hall
Full Performer Lineup Coming Soon