The Sydney Comedy Festival is held annually in Sydney, Australia. Launched in 2005 as The Cracker Sydney Comedy Festival at a number of inner city venues, the Festival has grown quickly and now attracts 111,000 patrons every year at venues all across Sydney. The Sydney Comedy Awards were introduced in 2008, to celebrate excellence in the Sydney Comedy Festival. In 2013, the festival introduced The Sydney Comedy Festival showcase tour, bringing bits of the festival to towns all over Australia. 2020 saw the festival go on hiatus. In 2021, it was held 19 April to 16 May. Venues have included State Theatre, Enmore Theatre, The Concourse, and Riverside Theatres. Performers have included Ronny Chieng, Matt Okine, Rhys Nicholson, and Corey White.

Special events

The Sydney Comedy Festival produces the following current special events: Special events in past years include:

Festivals by year

2020

No festival was held upon cancellation.

2014

The 2014 Festival was held from 22 April to 17 May.

Awards

Awards were presented at the closing party of the festival as follows:

2013

The 2013 Festival was held from 22 April – 11 May

Awards

Awards were presented at the closing party of the festival as follows:

2012

The 2012 Festival was held from 24 April to 12 May.

Awards

Awards were presented on the final day of the festival as follows:

2011

In 2011, the festival held events at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney Opera House, The State Theatre, The Metro, The Factory Theatre, the Seymour Centre, Parade Theatres, The Hayden Orpheum, Riverside Theatre and many more between 11 April and 8 May.

Awards

2010

Awards

2009

Awards

2008

Awards

Showcase Tour

The inaugural Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase brought the laughs to all corners of regional NSW and QLD leaving an audience of over 10 000 in stitches. Touring over 11 weeks (July – September 2013) with 33 shows, the show visited the following towns and cities:

Comics

Comedians who have appeared at The Sydney Comedy Festival include: