The Portland Maine Comedy Festival is not only the largest annual comedy event in New England, but one of the premiere comedy festivals in the entire country.

This year, we are featuring 100 of the best up-and-coming standup comics, sketch comedy teams, and improv groups from all across the country alongside regional, touring, and nationally recognized headliners for one incredible weekend of comedy.

This year’s festival features 24 standup showcases, 7 sketch and improv comedy shows, 4 Feature standup shows with regional and touring Headliners, 9 open-mic-style shows, and 1 Festival Headlining Show. Shows are held at various bars, breweries and theaters across Portland at various price points. For specific info, check out our shows page.

This year, we are also recognizing comics from historically underrepresented backgrounds by holding a Specialty Showcase each day of the festival - this includes showcases for BIPOC, Female, Queer, and Over50 Year-old comics.

The Festival runs cocorrent with the New England’s Funniest Comedian competition, taking place at our Headling Venue, Aura, on Thursdays in August through September.

Submissions for this year’s Festival are CLOSED.