For ten days in November the city's theatres get handed over to stand-up, and the 2026 bill already runs from Marc Maron's Yammering Into The Void tour to Ilana Glazer, Ziwe, Daniel Sloss and a Jordan Klepper-hosted Sh&t Show. The scale is the point: you can see an arena-level headliner at the Beacon and a Variety 10 Comics To Watch showcase of people nobody has heard of yet in the same week. If you want to say you saw someone before they broke, the discovery showcases are where that happens.
What to expect
Each show is ticketed separately and staged at its own venue, so build your own schedule rather than buying one pass. Theatre shows run 75-100 minutes with an opener; club shows are looser and later. Announced acts keep being added through the autumn, so the lineup you see in August is not the final one.
Good to know
- The Beacon Theatre is at 74th and Broadway (1/2/3 to 72nd Street); The Town Hall is on West 43rd (B/D/F/M to 42nd Street-Bryant Park)
- Shows are ticketed individually — there is no all-access wristband, so pick your headliners and book them separately
- Big-name headliners sell out weeks ahead; the discovery showcases usually have tickets much later
- Many club-venue shows have a drink minimum on top of the ticket
- Best for adults — most sets are explicit and venues enforce age limits
- Beacon Theatre and Town Hall are both wheelchair accessible; smaller club venues vary, so check ahead
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Common questions
Who is headlining the 2026 New York Comedy Festival?
Announced acts include Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Ziwe, Daniel Sloss, Jess Hilarious, Ms. Pat, Joanne McNally, Adam Friedland and a Sh&t Show hosted by Jordan Klepper, with more still to be added.
Is there a festival pass?
No — every show is ticketed on its own, so you assemble your own lineup rather than buying a single all-access pass.
Where do the shows happen?
Venues are spread across the city, with the Beacon Theatre and The Town Hall carrying most of the marquee headliners.
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