Comedy Jobs and Festival Submissions

January Deadlines

• LKN Stand-Up Festival (Laughs On the Lake) runs March 5–8, 2026, in the Lake Norman area (near Charlotte, NC). Presented by Queen City Comedy, the multi-day festival showcases a curated lineup of emerging and established stand-up comedians in a professional theater setting at the Warehouse Studio Theatre. Submission deadline: January 17, 2026, with notifications sent by January 31; submissions require a 5–10 minute performance clip and a submission fee. Apply here.

• Athens Comedy Fest runs May 1–2, 2026, in Athens, GA. The second annual event lights up the Classic City’s Morton Theatre and surrounding venues. Submissions close at Midnight January 18. Apply here.

• Happy Valley XL Improv Festival runs May 14–17, 2026, in State College, PA. Hosted by Happy Valley Improv, the event features long-form, short-form, and ensemble improv acts. Submissions are $25 through January 1, 2026, and $40 from January 1–15. Deadline is January 15, with notifications by February 15. Apply here.

• Athens Comedy Fest runs May 1–2, 2026, in Athens, GA. The second annual event lights up the Classic City’s Morton Theatre and surrounding venues. Submissions close at Midnight January 18. Apply here.

• Z Fringe Festival runs April 10–12, 2026, at The Z in Virginia Beach, Virginia, featuring theater-forward performances across comedy, improv, solo work, cabaret, dance, and more. Submissions are open December 16 through January 19 (11:59pm ET) and are selected via a lottery, with one application allowed per producing artist. There is no fee to apply, but accepted shows pay a production fee based on run time, ranging from $15–$50 (with additional fees possible for extended tech or backstage time). Performances must run 15–90 minutes and be theatrically based. Selected artists receive tech support, festival passes, marketing listings, 50% of ticket sales, and access to mentorship and lobby hours (including January 12). Apply here.

• Dogwood Comedy Festival returns for its 3rd year March 24–29, 2026, in Raleigh, NC, taking over ComedyWorx for a full weekend of longform improv, shows, jams, workshops, socials, and after-parties. Submission deadline: January 20, 2026. Improv teams receive 20–22 minute sets, and all teams must submit a video to be considered. Apply here.

• Hi-Desert Comedy Campout returns for its second year at The Palms in Wonder Valley, California, running April 10–11, 2026. Stand-up, sketch, improv, music, theater, drag, and film in a desert campout setting. Submission deadline is January 30, 2026, with notifications sent by February 20, 2026. Selected performers will receive a stipend, and the event is open to both returning and first-time artists. The festival may also include additional programming on April 12, 2026, depending on scheduling. Submit here. 

• Projectorfest returns May 2026 to New York City, showcasing ambitious, multimedia-fueled solo comedy shows that creatively use a projector. The four-day festival features 30-minute performances and prioritizes surprising, thoughtfully produced work, with special interest in NYC-based creators and new or significantly evolved shows. Submission deadline: January 30, 2026. There is no fee to submit or perform, and selected performers receive a share of net box office revenue. Apply here.

• Big Pine Comedy Festival runs April 8–11, 2026, in Chandler, AZ. Now in its 12th year, Big Pine unites comics, bookers, and industry professionals for four days of showcases, education, and networking at Mic Drop Comedy Chandler. Submissions require a 5-minute unedited set and short bio. Submissions close January 31, 2026; lineup announced February 15, 2026. Apply here.

• Dallas Indie Comedy Fest runs April 9–12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. Submissions close January 31, 2026. Categories include improv, sketch, musical improv, clown, characters, and alt comedy. Apply here.

• The PIT Roast x Comedy Fight Club takes place in New York, NY, at The PIT NYC. Hosted by Matt Maran, this no-holds-barred roast battle pits two comedians head-to-head, with winners decided by a mix of judges’ scores and audience votes; comedians may apply solo or with a partner and will prepare jokes about each other in advance (undercard: 5 jokes each; main event: 7 jokes each). Submission deadline: not specified (submissions currently open). Apply here.

• Atlanta Comedy Film Festival runs January 22–24, 2027, in Atlanta, GA, at 7 Stages Theatre. Now in its 8th year, the filmmaker-first festival showcases comedy in all its forms through screenings, screenplay competitions, panels, workshops, and networking. The festival accepts short and feature-length comedy films, including stand-up, sketch, animated, dark comedy, horror comedy, mockumentary, series/episodic projects, comedy music videos, and LGBTQ+ comedy, as well as short and feature screenplays. Early bird submission deadline: January 30, 2026; final deadline: December 31, 2026. Apply here.

February Deadlines

• Good Vibes Comedy Festival in Memphis, Tennessee accepts submissions from Thanksgiving to mid-February. Early submissions: Nov 26–Dec 25; regular: Dec 26–Feb 1; late: Feb 2–Feb 15. Entering its third year with more shows and national headliners. Apply here.

• Midsummer Comedy Fest takes place June 24–28, 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden, with submissions accepted until February 9, 2026 (rolling decisions; early international submissions encouraged). Apply here.

• Vail Comedy Festival runs May 22–24, 2026, in Vail, Colorado. Accepted comedians get lodging assistance and multiple showcase spots, with a focus on “unique material” (no repeat sets). Fees start at $25 and rise monthly until February 14, 2026. Volunteers also accepted for free event access. Submit here.

• Badgerland Comedy Festival runs April 30–May 3, 2026, with shows across Wisconsin. The main hub is in Janesville, WI, with possible additional shows in Milwaukee, Mauston, and other cities. Submissions cost $25 and close on February 15, 2026. Swag, meals, and accommodations for comedians, and every accepted comic will receive at least two performance spots. Priority given to new performers. Submit here.

• Improvpalooza 2026 runs March 7 & 14 (Prelims) and March 28, 2026 (Finals) in Rock Island, IL, at The Circa ’21 Speakeasy with Nightcaps Improv. The ultimate improv tournament returns with sixteen improvisers competing over three Saturdays for audience and judges’ votes, with the winner taking home the ’Palooza Cup and a $1,000 cash prize. Submission deadline: February 19, 2026, at 5:00pm; submissions are free but do not guarantee selection. Apply here.

• Corkscrew Comedy Festival takes place June 19–21, 2026, in Santa Ynez Valley, CA. The second annual event invites comedians to perform in California wine country, offering performer discounts at wineries and restaurants, swag, and industry networking. Early bird submissions are $15 through December 31, 2025, and $20 after January 1. The deadline is February 28, 2026. Apply here.

• Dallas Sketch Fest runs May 28–31, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, showcasing sketch comedy. Submissions are open January 1 to February 28, 2026, and are reviewed on a rolling basis, with accepted acts notified by March 15, 2026. There is a non-refundable $20 submission fee. Applicants submit a show or team description, performance history, preferred set length and availability, content rating, tech needs, a marketing graphic, a written bio, team details, and a video of a recent performance (AI-generated materials are not accepted). Apply here.

• Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival runs October 8–10, 2026, across the Colorado Mountains. A clean-comedy event from the creator of the Vail Comedy Festival, it features top national talent, mentorship opportunities, and stunning venues during peak leaf season. Submissions are $20 through February 14, $25 after, and close June 30, 2026. Apply here.

• Derby City Comedy Festival runs July 9–August 1, 2026, at Planet of the Tapes in Louisville, Kentucky. Comics can submit for the contest, the party weekend, or both with a single $15 fee; deadline February 15, 2026. The festival features a multi-week competition with knockouts, quarter-finals, semis, and a final round, with 100% of submission fees paid out to the top three winners. Selected performers receive pro video, festival headshots, and a festival t-shirt, while non-selected comics get a free digital headshot coupon. Apply here.

• Funny Under Fifteen Minutes runs March 27–29, 2026, in Hamilton, NY. A comedy film festival for short films fifteen minutes or less, featuring Q&As, panels, and filmmaker meet-and-greets. Two “Wicked Funny Winners” (Comedy and Student Comedy) receive awards and a free entry for next year. Early submissions are $10 and final deadline is February 14. Submit here. 

• Helena Comedy Festival runs November 12–14, 2026, in Helena, Montana. The festival brings stand-up comedians to top local venues for a weekend of live comedy in Montana’s capital city. Early bird submission deadline: February 28, 2026; early bird submission fee is $15. Apply here.

March Deadlines

• Cassopolis Comedy Festival brings Midwest stand-up to Cassopolis, Michigan, with a headliner-driven lineup and multiple performance opportunities. Submissions are $25. Comics submit by emailing [email protected] with payment confirmation, a bio, a headshot, and video clips or links. Acceptance and denial emails sent by March 5, 2026. Selected performers receive multiple sets, professional headshots, free food, drinks, and merch, plus networking and media coverage; comics not selected are offered free weekend passes to attend and network. Apply via email.

• High Tide Comedy Festival runs June 5–7, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island, and surrounding venues, welcoming stand-up, musical comedy, magic/comedy, and improv or sketch troupes. Submissions are open January 1 and close March 31, 2026, with performers notified by April 27. Comics submit a full 5–7 minute set. Submission fees scale over time: $20 through Jan 15; $25 through Jan 30; $30 through Feb 28; $40 through Mar 31. Accepted performers receive three shows of varying lengths, workshops, a work-it-out open mic, networking opportunities, headshots, and inclusion in an online comic directory. Apply here.

• Saratoga Comedy Festival takes place September 11–12, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Submissions for the 2026 festival are officially open, with tiered pricing: Early Bird ($20) runs December 1, 2025–January 31, 2026, Mid-Pack ($25) runs February 1–March 31, 2026, and Late Bloomer ($30) runs April 1–June 1, 2026. No submissions are accepted after June 1, 2026. Comics must submit a short bio and a 5–10 minute continuous YouTube set. Apply here.

• Flyover Comedy Festival runs November 12–15, 2026, across 10 stages in St. Louis, Missouri, featuring stand-up, improv, and sketch/variety acts. Submissions for the 9th annual festival are open through March 1, 2026. The submission fee is $35, with the festival selecting 30+ stand-up comics, 30+ improv players, and 25+ sketch/variety performers. Accepted performers receive hotel accommodations, nightly meals plus a hosted lunch, travel reimbursement up to $350, complimentary professional headshots, and access to networking events. Apply here.

• Rogue Island Comedy Festival runs May 21–24, 2026, in and around Newport, RI. Rhode Island’s premier comedy festival since 2015, the event offers paid spots, optional lodging, swag, food, drinks, and after-parties, with submissions eligible for both Spring Fest and Fall Fest (October). Submission deadline: March 29, 2026. Comics must submit an uncut 5-minute video; headliner-level comics are welcome to apply for featured spots. Apply here.

• Boulder Comedy Festival runs June 23–26, 2026, in Boulder, CO. The festival brings together nationally touring comics featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, and Amazon alongside festival winners and local comedians, with a strong focus on highlighting women and diversity in comedy, all set against Boulder’s outdoor scenery, breweries, and restaurants. Submission deadline: March 2025; suggested video length is 5 minutes. Apply here.

Later-in-2026 Deadlines

• Rise Comedy Festival returns for its 5th year July 24–August 1, 2026, in Denver, CO, featuring stand-up and improv across two weekends, plus workshops, classes, parties, and an improv intensive. Submission deadline: May 15, 2026. Early submissions are $30 through February 28, $35 March 1–31, and $40 April 1–May 15, with a stand-up competition offering cash prizes. Apply here.

• Laugh After Dark ComedyFest runs October 26–28, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV. Now in its fourth year, the festival features stand-up, indie films, and red carpet events celebrating comedy culture in the heart of Vegas. Submission deadline: June 30, 2026, with tiered fees starting at $29 and increasing to $59 for last-chance submissions. Apply here.

• Bend Comedy Festival returns September 4–6, 2026, in Bend, OR, following a sold-out debut, featuring 20+ events across venues throughout the city. All performers are selected from submissions, with accepted comedians receiving perks including free lodging, ground transportation, a professionally taped set, and opportunities to perform alongside national headliners. Submission deadline: May 15, 2026, with tiered fees starting at $15 in January and increasing to $35 for late submissions. Apply here.

• Atlanta Comedy Film Festival runs January 22–24, 2027, in Atlanta, GA, at 7 Stages Theatre. Now in its 8th year, the filmmaker-first festival showcases comedy in all its forms through screenings, screenplay competitions, panels, workshops, and networking. The festival accepts short and feature-length comedy films, including stand-up, sketch, animated, dark comedy, horror comedy, mockumentary, series/episodic projects, comedy music videos, and LGBTQ+ comedy, as well as short and feature screenplays. Early bird submission deadline: January 30, 2026; final deadline: December 31, 2026. Apply here.

Unclear Deadlines

• Meadowlands Comedy Festival runs April 23–27, 2026, in Secaucus, New Jersey (near NYC). Early bird submissions are $20, increasing closer to the festival. Submit a 4–7 minute YouTube set, short bio, and social links via email after payment. Selected comics may be invited to live showcase auditions. Apply here. Deadline not on website...

• You can submit for the Netflix Comedy Series with Kevin Hart. Apply right here.

• LouddMouth Comedy Festival returns for its second year in Temecula Valley, California, running April 1–4, 2026. A four-day, multi-venue event set in Temecula wine country. The festival benefits Anthonie’s Voice, a local nonprofit supporting autism awareness. Submission deadline: not on website... Submit here.

• Windy City Comedy Festival runs August 6–9, 2026, in Chicago, IL. Accepted comedians perform at top Chicago venues and receive free headshots, swag, and access to panels, workshops, and after-parties. Submissions are open, with an early bird fee of $15 (late fee $30). Submit a 5–7 minute unedited set. Apply here.