Star-studded 2026 Just For Laughs Montréal
Summer Festivals and events
Some of the biggest names in entertainment will headline the 44th edition of Just For Laughs Montréal, the largest comedy festival in the world, which runs from July 15 to 26 at various venues.
Just For Laughs revolutionized the comedy world and launched the careers of hundreds of today’s most renowned comedians, like Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon and Amy Schumer.
Which comedians will perform at the Just For Laughs Montréal Festival?
The 2026 edition of the Just For Laughs Montréal Festival will announce its headliners and Gala hosts in the coming days and weeks.
Outdoor shows
The 2026 Just For Laughs Montréal Festival presents free outdoor shows at Place des Festivals in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Just For Laughs galas
Hosted by top comedic talent from around the world, the Just For Laughs gala shows taped live at Théatre Maisonneuve at Place des Arts feature a curated mix of global stars and breakout voices from across the comedy spectrum.
Roast Battle Canada
Roast Battle Canada films live in Montréal and features Canada’s boldest comics going head-to-head in savage insult battles where no punchline is off-limits.
Concert shows
Some of the world’s hottest comics will headline solo shows at JFL this summer in many of the city’s most prestigious venues, such as the Olympia Theatre, MTelus, Club Soda, Le Gesù, Espace St-Denis and Studio TD.
Club Series
Among the most anticipated events at the festival, with a long-standing track record of launching comedy’s biggest stars in both stand-up and sketch, are the New Faces of Comedy: Stand-ups and New Faces of Comedy: Characters.
The crowd-pleasing The Nasty Show series lives up to its name, while the Brit(ish) comedy showcase celebrates the sharp wit and dry humour of comics from Britain, but could also include friends from Ireland, or elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
The Culture Show continues JFL’s long tradition of breaking stereotypes and boundaries; Dropout Improv showcases improvisational skills; and New Faces: Writers and New Faces: Creators present fresh talent.
The Midnight Surprise Show is one of JFL’s most unpredictable events, with surprise lineups of top-tier comedians, many of whom may perform impromptu sets or test new material, at Studio TD. You never know who might drop in! Past guests include Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow.
OFF-JFL
OFF Just For Laughs – known as “OFF-JFL” – is the festival’s edgy sibling where comedy fans can discover their favourite new artists. Some of the series and solo shows include Best of the Fest, Midnight Surprise, The Montreal Show, The Queer Show spotlighting Montréal LGBTQ+ comics, and Double Threats.
OFF-JFL shows are presented in intimate venues like Salle Claude-Léveillée, Café Cléopâtre and Théâtre Sainte-Catherine in the Quartier des Spectacles.
More! More! More!
Programming details—including the full festival schedule, daytime industry networking ComedyPRO sessions for professionals and creatives, fireside chats, keynotes, fan events, and screenings of Just For Laughs Shorts and Pilots—will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
Just For Laughs Montréal Festival runs from July 15 to 26 at various venues. For updates, artist announcements and tickets, visit hahaha.com.
Richard Burnett
Richard “Bugs” Burnett is a Canadian freelance writer, editor, journalist, blogger and columnist for alt-weeklies, mainstream and LGBTQ+ publications. Bugs also knows Montréal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.