New York comedy festival 2026 lineup: Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer
The New York Comedy Festival unveiled its first wave of 2026 headliners on July 13, led by Marc Maron and Ilana Glazer alongside Sarah Sherman, Adam Friedland, and Ms. Pat. The 22nd annual New York Comedy Festival runs November 6–15 across all five NYC boroughs with more than 200 comedians in 100+ shows. The announcement kicks off presale week and previews a slate that mixes podcast stars, stand-up veterans, and fast-rising comics.
Key Takeaways
- Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Sarah Sherman, Adam Friedland, Ms. Pat, Daniel Sloss, Ziwe, and Patti Harrison headline the first announced New York Comedy Festival 2026 shows.
- The festival runs November 6–15, 2026, with more than 100 shows across all five boroughs and additional acts promised this fall.
- Presale tickets open July 15 at 11 a.m. ET; the general on-sale follows July 20 at 11 a.m. ET.
- For the first time, Variety's 10 Comics to Watch showcase joins official festival programming on November 12.
- Founder Caroline Hirsch called the lineup a mix of established stars and a new generation shaping comedy's future.
Who is headlining the New York Comedy Festival 2026?
According to Variety, the inaugural 2026 announcement names Marc Maron, Ilana Glazer, Sarah Sherman, Adam Friedland, Ms. Pat, Daniel Sloss, Ziwe, and Patti Harrison as headliners. The list also includes Jordan Jensen, Jordan Klepper, Ben Bankas, Mojo Brookzz, Jess Hilarious, and Joanne McNall.
Special programming rounds out the early slate: Comic Relief x The Moth, Dropout Improv, and Gayme Show! starring Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni. Organizers say more performers will be revealed before the festival opens, with fall announcements still to come.
When and where does the festival take place?
The 22nd annual New York Comedy Festival spans ten days from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Shows are staged throughout all five boroughs of New York City, from major halls to neighborhood clubs.
Established venues include the Beacon Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Kings Theatre, Town Hall, and The Venue at the Hard Rock Hotel New York. Since Caroline Hirsch founded the festival in 2004, the event has expanded beyond stand-up to include live podcast tapings, sketch and improv showcases, and conversations with comedy legends.
How can fans buy tickets?
A presale begins Wednesday, July 15, at 11 a.m. ET and runs through Sunday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET, per the festival's official FAQ. The general public sale opens Monday, July 20, at 11 a.m. ET through the festival website.
For more live-event news like this, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage as additional fall shows are confirmed.
What's new for the 2026 festival?
A major first for 2026 is the integration of Variety's 10 Comics to Watch program into official New York Comedy Festival programming. The live presentation and showcase are scheduled for November 12, with honorees also featured in Variety's November 4 issue ahead of the event.
Since launching the franchise in 2000, Variety has spotlighted future stars including Wanda Sykes, Nate Bargatze, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen, Zach Galifianakis, and recent breakouts such as Ayo Edebiri, Hannah Einbinder, Caleb Hearon, and Julio Torres. In a statement, Hirsch said the festival remains the epicenter of the comedy world, bringing together stars, industry leaders, and fans under one citywide banner.