Melbourne International Comedy Festival continues to expand beyond CBD

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival will this year bring the laughs to even more people across Melbourne and the suburbs with an increased Comedy Fest’s Neighbourhood Sessions program in greater number of independent venues than ever before.

The Festival has just added three more destinations including Werribee, Essendon and Caroline Springs, to its Neighbourhood Sessions season, continuing the Festival’s efforts to expand beyond its traditional CBD footprint.

Over six big weekends, some of the most iconic venues in the ‘burbs’ will play host to the biggest names in comedy, illustrious festival faves and the country’s best new talent. The rotating star-studded line-ups include Celia Pacquola, Bob Franklin,Sonali Thakker (India), Kirsty Webeck, Douglas Lim (Malaysia), DeAnne Smith (Canada/USA), Nick Cody, Anirban Dasgupta (India), Daniel Connell, Gillian Cosgriff, Andrew Hansen, Chris Ryan, Sam Taunton, He Huang (China), Bev Killick and more!

Susan Provan AO, Festival Director:

Neighbourhood Sessions marks a major shift post pandemic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. ‘We want to make sure everyone can access great comedy no matter where they live,’ ‘Making laughs accessible to all is something we’re very passionate about and the expanded Neighbourhood Sessions program will help us achieve that.

This year has also seen an increase is the number of independent venues around the CBD and the inner suburbs.

Beyond the Festival’s much loved Trades Hall which has 36 shows, bars and a special Monday night focus, venues such as Motley Bauhaus houses 24 shows, long standing Carlton icon La Mama five shows, and there’s more love out north with Brunswick Ballroom, Darebin Arts Centre and much more. On the south side, Chapel Off Chapel, The MC Showroom and Gasworks Arts Parkare all becoming mini hubs of hilarity and entertainment.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs from 29 March until 23 April 2023. Whether in the city centre or just down the road from home, make sure you get out and have a good laugh.

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Season Details

Venue: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Date: 24 Mar – 29 Apr 2023

For more information click HERE