Mercure Melbourne Southbank - Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026

Dates: Wednesday 25 March – Sunday 19 April 2026
Venues: Multiple venues across Melbourne CBD, Southbank and inner-city precincts

Melbourne steps into the global spotlight as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Over nearly four weeks, the city becomes a playground for stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performance and visual arts, with hundreds of local and international performers taking to stages across Melbourne.

As Australia’s largest ticketed cultural event — and one of the top three comedy festivals in the world — this milestone edition promises more shows, more venues and more laughs than ever before. From big-name headliners to unexpected discoveries, it’s an unmissable autumn tradition.

Your Southbank Base for Festival Nights

Settle into festival season with a stay at Mercure Melbourne Southbank, ideally located for comedy hopping across the city.

The hotel places you within easy reach of CBD theatres, riverside venues and late-night comedy rooms, while offering a calm place to recharge between shows. Enjoy modern, comfortable rooms, breakfast served daily, and the freedom to step straight out onto Southbank’s dining and entertainment strip once the curtain falls.

Getting to Festival Venues

From Mercure Melbourne Southbank, getting around festival venues is refreshingly simple.

Many shows are within walking distance, while trams along St Kilda Road and the CBD provide easy access to comedy hubs throughout Melbourne. For late-night shows, taxis and rideshare services are readily available from the hotel entrance.

Laugh Your Way Through Autumn

Book your stay at Mercure Melbourne Southbank and make the most of Melbourne’s biggest comedy celebration, night after night.

Book Your Stay