Netflix Is A Joke Fest Unveils 2026 First-Wave Lineup

Netflix has announced the first wave of shows for Netflix Is a Joke Fest 2026, the third iteration of the festival, which is set to take place across Los Angeles from May 4-10.

Produced by Netflix in partnership with Live Nation, this year’s festival will spread across 35 venues with more than 350 live events, featuring stand-up, variety programming, top comedy podcasts, tapings, exclusive events and screenings.

Select highlights include a Night of Too Many Stars, hosted by Jon Stewart; taped episodes of the Kevin Hart comedy competition series Funny AF with Kevin Hart; headlining sets from Nate Bargatze, Shane Gillis, John Mulaney, and Katt Williams; a show at the Hollywood bowl from SNL‘s Marcello Hernández and Colombian singer-songwriter and record producer Feid that is billed as the venue’s largest spanish-language comedy show of all time; a night of comedy and music hosted by Lizzo; a tribute to Pee-wee Herman, celebrating 40 years of Pee-wee’s Playhouse; the first live show for Flight of the Conchords‘ Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie in 10 years, and live podcasts with David Letterman, Larry David & Jerry Seinfeld, Kill Tony, Theo Von, Pete Davidson, and Tim Dillon.

“In just 4 years, Netflix Is a Joke Fest has grown into the world’s biggest celebration of comedy,” said Robbie Praw, Netflix’s VP of Stand-up and Comedy Formats. “This year, we’re bringing together legends, trailblazers, and the next generation of voices for an entire week of unforgettable moments across Los Angeles. From iconic stand-up shows and live podcast tapings to musical mashups and surprise events, the scope of this festival truly reflects the variety and excitement of comedy today. We’re thrilled to welcome fans from all over to experience the magic, energy, and laughter that only Netflix can deliver.”

Added Netflix’s VP of Comedy Series, Tracey Pakosta, “What makes this fest so special is the sense of community—it’s a rare moment where the comedy industry and the fans come together in one place. We’re not just putting on shows; we’re creating one-of-a-kind experiences that celebrate the range, depth, and sheer brilliance of the comedy world right now.”

Tickets for events across the festival will go on sale beginning at 10am PT on January 23rd. Check out the first-wave lineup below.

FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

• Night of Too Many Stars – The biggest comedy stars in the world gather for a night of stand up, variety and music, hosted by Jon Stewart. Talent includes Bill Burr, Conan O’Brien, Steve Carell, Ron Funches, Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Jimmy Kimmel, Leanne Morgan, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, Matt Rife, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Ali Wong, Noah Wyle and many more. This special evening of laughter is presented by event founders Robert & Michelle Smigel with Jill Leiderman, to benefit NEXT for Autism, a national organization providing programs and support for people living with autism.
• Funny AF with Kevin Hart (Previously announced as Kevin Hart Comedy Competition) The search for the world’s next funniest comedian will begin streaming on Netflix starting April 20, with taped episodes leading up to the LIVE semi-finals and finale in the festival May 4th & 5th.
• Nate Bargatze – The top-selling comedian in the world returns to the festival with two shows at the Intuit Dome. He’ll be filming his next Netflix comedy special that will air later this year. 
• Shane Gillis & Friends – Comedy superstar Shane Gillis headlines the Hollywood Bowl for a blockbuster night of comedy.
• John Mulaney: Mister Whatever – Returns to the fest for his third time and for his third Hollywood Bowl Show.
• Feid & Marcello Hernández – Largest Spanish language comedy show at the Hollywood Bowl of all time, with one of the biggest names in Latin music, Feid, and stand-up breakout star, Marcello Hernández.
• Seth Goes Greek – Massive night of music and comedy hosted by Seth Rogen featuring Eric André, Nikki Glaser, Stavros Halkias, Nick Kroll, Sarah Silverman, Taylor Tomlinson, with huge surprise guests and musical acts, supporting Hilarity for Charity.
• Seinfeld at the Greek – Headlined by the comedy superstar, with musical guest Leonid & Friends and special guest, Leanne Morgan.
• Beautifully Broken Comedy Night: Hosted By Jelly Roll headlined by Andrew Schultz and surprise guests.
• Lizzo hosts an unforgettable night of comedy and music from Eric André, Nikki Glaser, Dulcé Sloan, Meg Stalter and more.
• A Tribute to Pee-wee Herman – Celebrating 40 years of Pee-wee’s Playhouse in partnership with Herman World. A once-in-a-lifetime variety show with music and comedy performances from The B-52s, Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of DEVO, Danny Elfman, Fred Armisen, Sheng Wang, Bob The Drag Queen, Patti Harrison, Julio Torres, Michael Carbonaro and Puddles Pity Party. With special celebrity guest appearances from David Arquette, Cheri Oteri, Natasha Lyonne, and original Playhouse puppets, memorabilia, rare footage and more. Hosted by Patton Oswalt.
• Flight of the Conchords – Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are back for the first time in LA since 2016 and first live show in 10 years.
• Katt Williams – After his explosive live performance at the 2024 festival, the comedian is back and this time at the Intuit Dome.
• Dodgers Comedy Night  The back-to-back World Series champions are back at the festival. Join your favorite Dodgers players for a grand slam night of live comedy and surprises presented by Will Smith, All-Star catcher of the LA Dodgers. Hosted by Ken Jeong.
• Marty, Life is Short – Red Carpet Premiere event at the Egyptian Theatre. A film by Lawrence Kasdan, an Imagine Documentaries Production, from EPs Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. “The definitive documentary on beloved comedian Martin Short, using beautiful, intimate, never-before-seen archive footage.”
• Comedy for the Community: Supporting Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Hosted by Deon Cole – The biggest stars of the festival are set to descend upon Altadena for a week of surprise lineups at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 719. Hosted by Deon Cole, join nightly for a week of humor designed to spark recovery, deliver essential laughter and help folks learn how they can get involved with local organizations.
• Best in Show at The Dolby – Check out individual shows from some of the top touring acts in comedy at one of LA’s most iconic venues. Including Michelle Buteau, Jim Gaffigan, Hasan Minhaj + Ronny Chieng, and Wanda Sykes.
• The Not Inappropriate Show with Bob Odenkirk – the popular family-friendly show, featuring skits and bits suitable for a young audience
• 2 Bears 5K hosted by Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, who will be joined by Jelly Roll to bring fans and celebs together for a fun, untimed run at the iconic Rose Bowl. No pressure—just beer, laughs, and fitness.
• Stamptown is a raunchy and chaotic, full-on fever dream featuring the most eclectic performances from around the world. Hosted by the bad boy of clown Zach Zucker, this wildly entertaining comedy spectacle is being taped across two nights for a Netflix special to premiere later this year.
• Special Screenings including Princess Bride with an appearance by Cary Elwes and Naked Gun followed by a Q&A with director David Zucker.
• Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out catch this legendary show in an intimate setting
• Beacher’s Madhouse – a provocative, high-octane live variety theatrical experience blending circus, cabaret, comedy, and nightlife into an immersive, celebrity-fueled spectacle where anything can happen.

FEATURED PODCASTS, CONVERSATIONS & REUNIONS 

• This Better Be Funny With David Letterman – David Letterman returns for his third Netflix Is A Joke Fest at The Montalbán where he interviews comedy legends Martin Short and John Mulaney over two nights.
• Rushmore Podcast Live – In this special episode of Ariel Emanuel and Ben Persky’s Rushmore series, where titans across sports, entertainment and technology debate the greatest of all time across categories, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld make the case for which episodes of Seinfeld deserve a spot on Mount Rushmore.
• Giggly Squad hosted by Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo, with the cast & creators of Running Point – Kate Hudson, Brenda Song and Mindy Kaling
• Bill Simmons with the creators of Tires – Shane Gillis, John McKeever, Steve Gerben
• Kill Tony
• Handsome Podcast with the cast of The Hunting Wives, Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman 
• This Past Weekend with Theo Von with guest Mike Tyson
• The Pete Davidson Show – A Netflix Original Podcast
• Bad Friends with Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino
• Barstool Podcast Night featuring Pardon My Take, Spittin’ Chiclets, and Ryen Russillo
• Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
• Comedy on the Fly with DWade and Chris Spencer
• Basement Yard
• Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
• The Viall Files with the couples of Temptation Island
• The Tim Dillon Show with the cast of Selling Sunset and Selling the OC
• The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya with Surprise Special Guest
• Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: 10 (ish) Year Reunion
• Cunk In Conversation – an evening with Diane Morgan and Charlie Brooker
• A Visit From Portlandia with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein Drawing from their friendship, their work together on Portlandia, and their individual pursuits, A Visit from Portlandia is an evening of storytelling, jokes, conversation, and more.