Melbourne International Comedy Festival is almost here, and I can already feel Sydneysiders shaking in their boots. Or maybe it’s from the substance that they call ‘coffee‘? (Love you, Sydney — we’ll admit that you’ve got better beaches.)
MICF is the one time we put aside our differences (including acknowledging Tasmania) to remind the world that we Aussies do comedy best. We’ll even crack a smile at their ShRiMp On ThE bArBiE jOkEs… and then rip them to shreds with our dry banter and sarcasm. Teasing is how Australians show affection, after all.
So, let’s go support our local comedians at one of the largest international comedy festivals in the world! If you’re feeling really cheeky, you could even pair the hard-rated jokes with a can of Hard Rated 6% (just launched!) and pull my leg. I’m in.*
Here’s your Melbourne International Comedy Festival cheat sheet.
What is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival was first started in 1987 by comedy legends Barry Humphries and Peter Cook. 38 years later, the festival has become Australia’s largest ticketed event with over 770,000 attendees, damn.
Expect a mix of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performances, and more — featuring local and international acts. It’s worth travelling for, trust me.
@wiltyplant The Comedy Fest is running Until April 23 across Melbourne! ✨ Go support your local comedy acts guys 🥹🎭🫶 @Malthouse Theatre @Melbourne Int. Comedy Festival #thingstodoaloneinmelbourne #thingstodoinmelbourne #melbournecomedyfestival #melbourneinternationalcomedyfestivalgala #thingstodomelb #melbourneshows #malthousetheatre ♬ Paris Loves Lovers (Instrumental) – Cole Porter (composer), The MGM Studio Orchestra
Where and when is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
Besides obviously being in Melbourne, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows are located across nine venues. You can have a laugh at the ACMI, The Capitol, Chinese Museum, fortyfivedownstairs, Max Watt’s, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Town Hall, The Victoria Hotel and The Westin Melbourne. The MICF has even whipped up a guide for you on how to get to each venue, accessibility, bathrooms, bar service and which part you want to go to — which you can find here.
This year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival is on from March 26 to April 20, with 276 shows (yes, I counted) up for grabs — so I’d get tickets before they sell out.
@jodsloan Former theatre kid (derogatory) @Melbourne Int. Comedy Festival ♬ original sound – Jodie Sloan
How can I get tickets to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?
You can get tickets to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival here. The prices range from around $15 to $60 — averaging $35(!!) a ticket. Plus, there’s also free entertainment (score).
@bridgethassed Is it a long show name? Yes. Is it a nightmare to spruik in person? A little. But, is it a masterclass in search engine optimisation? You bet your ass it is 😌 #fyp #comedy #micf #melbournecomedyfestival #seo ♬ Boss Bitch – Doja Cat
Must-see Aussie acts at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Aussie stand-up acts that caught my eye include Aboriginal Comedy Allstars, Help Me, ChatGPT 3, In Defence Of The Pigeon, One For The Girls & The Gays, Snape: Life After Voldemort, Someone In This Crowd Will Betray Me and The Never-Ending Smoko.
Aussie up-and-comers that are on my radar include Alex Ward, Anisa Nandaula, Blake Pavey and Friends, Edan McGovern, Frenchy, Fergus Neal, Jenny Tian, Heath Franklin, Joel Creasey, Kimmie Lovegrove, Nick White, Sez, The Mean Gays and Will Gibb.
You can see big names like Lloyd Langford, Lizzy Hoo, Lewis Garnham, He Huang and Bron Lewis at Hard Rated’s Cheeky Business show — where you can literally be roasted in the Hard Rated Hot Seats… if you’re brave enough.
Other Aussie shows that look fun include Adults Only Magic Show, Bigfoot: In Plain Sight, D&D: Dice Paper Role and Friends, Fountain Lakes in Lockdown, Jane Austen Improvised, It’s Not Funny, It’s Private and Spread Em: The Untold Story of Vegemite.
@alanahparkin THREE WEEKS ‘til Garage Sale debuts at @Melbourne Int. Comedy Festival! Greg and Denise have too much stuff! Narre Warren South’s most notorious couple are moving to the retirement village up the road, and they can’t POSSIBLY take everything with them. Join Greg, Denise and a smorgasbord of increasingly unlikely characters at the greatest Garage Sale the south-eastern suburbs has ever seen! You’ll definitely find a bargain. You MIGHT even find out the big secret that Greg’s been keeping from his wife for the past few decades. “Clever, hilarious, and downright absurd” — Time Out Melbourne “An absolute standout” — You Should See It Melb GARAGE SALE 26 March – 6 April, 8:45pm @ DoubleTree by Hilton (270 Flinders St) Directed by @isaac haigh (MICF Best Newcomer 2023) 📽️ Isaac Haigh #melbourne #comedy #australia #boomer #garagesale #micf ♬ original sound – Alanah Parkin
Must-see international acts at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
International stand-up shows that grabbed my attention include Cry Daddy, How Revolting! Sorry to Offend, Looking For A Visa, Purple Is The Gayest Colour, Lord of the Zings: A Kiwi Comedy Showcase, Yeah Nah Pavlova and Succulent Comedy Showcase.
International comedians to check out include Arj Barker, Ciarán Sammon, Desiree Burch, Douglas Lim, Ed Gamble, George Zacharopoulos, Jacky Ng, Johanna Cosgrove, Lateef Lovejoy, Melanie Bracewell, Ray O’Leary, Sofie Hagen and Urzila Carlson.
Other international acts you’ve got to see include Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers, An Evening On A Strange Planet, Buffy Revamped, Guy-Mont Spelling Bee Live, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and Tonight! A Clown Who Wanted to be Loved?
@kushvenkatesh Thank you @Melbourne Int. Comedy Festival be right back, stopping at LA now📍 #comewithme #travel #volgging #vlog #comedy #mebourne #micf #travelvlog #grwm #festival #fyp #foryou #viral #fy #foryoupage #minivlog #dayinmylife #dayinmylifevlog #schoollife #airport #vlogger #performer #business #xyzbca ♬ Escapism. – Super Sped Up – RAYE
Where to eat and drink at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
All that laughing will make you thirsty. Luckily, you can enjoy Hard Rated’s new 6% range at Max Watt’s, Rydges Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel, and The Westin. You can also snag it at Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, and Cellarbrations. A Hard Rated 6% has 121 cals and low sugar – yet it doesn’t compromise on the refreshing, zesty taste. It’s a hard yes from us.
Food-wise, MICF has collated a list of places to eat here, so you’ll be spoiled for choice, no matter what cuisine you’re craving.
Have fun! I’ll see you there with a full-flavoured Hard Rated 6% in hand.*
*18+ only, drink responsibly.
Image Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
