WellingtonEvents
A packed audience cheering and applauding at The Opera House in Te Aro, Wellington.

You get a laugh, you get a laugh, everybody gets a laugh at the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo.

Get ready to titter, to guffaw, to let loose with a belly laugh. The 31st NZ International Comedy Festival hits Wellington with three weeks of hilarity in May. A huge group of comedians gather from local shores and beyond to deliver a wild festival of humour. The city will be bursting with side-splitting live comedy delivered by dozens of comics. 

A mix of well-known faces and rising stars fill out the Kiwi comic contingent. Look out for Guy Montgomery, Hayley Sproull, Tom Sainsbury, Pax Assadi, and Melanie Bracewell. The people who’ve flown here include Ireland’s David O’Doherty, Scot Fern Brady, Olga Koch from UK, and fan favourite American Wilson Dixon. The Australians have sent their best with Rhys Nicholson, Nazeem Hussain, and Heath Franklin’s Chopper. There are many more very funny people within the extensive programme. 

The Best Foods Comedy Gala gets things off to a jovial start. It offers a taste of some of the fantastic local and international comedians presenting gags and giggles during the festival. It is rightfully considered one of the jewels in the festival crown. Other multi-comic events include ‘The Comedy Mixtape’ (a first for Wellington audiences), and ‘Comedy Fest in Kāpiti’. This provides another bite-size taster of who's who and what's what for Kāpiti audiences. 

Looking for more?

New Zealand comedian, Pax Assadi, posing with his index finger over his lips for to promote his stand-up comedy show 'Secrets'.

Pax Assadi — Secrets

24 May 2024The Opera House

Deborah Frances-White, host of the award winning podcast 'The Guilty Feminist', on stage holding a microphone wearing a sparkly shall.

The Guilty Feminist Live Podcast

15 May 2024The Opera House

Standup comedian, Joana Joy, wears a black Adidas tracksuit with a colourful top and is posing in front of a dark pink velvet curtain.

Talent scout — who to watch out for at the Comedy Festival

Here’s a selection of Wellington comedians who may not have crossed your radar yet.

A conductor in front of an auditorium of people. They are leaning back in a dramatic pose with arms stretched out in a 'V'. Various pieces of musical equipment sit on the stage.

Pub Choir — Chaotic Good

17 May 2024The Opera House

British comic, David Walliams, posing in front of a red wall to promote his upcoming show in Wellington’s St James Theatre.

An Audience with David Walliams

30 September 2024St James Theatre

Chelsea Handler wearing a grey button up t shirt, smiling at the camera on a bright yellow background

Chelsea Handler — The Little Big Bitch Tour

6 July 2024St James Theatre

South African-Kiwi comedian, Urzila Carlson, poses and smiles in front of a coloured backdrop to promote her upcoming show at Wellington's The Opera House.

Urzila Carlson — Just Jokes

7 December 2024The Opera House

Australian comedian, Celeste Barber, poses holding two disco balls to promote her show 'Backup Dancer'.

Celeste Barber — Backup Dancer

3 August 2024The Opera House

Comedians' headshots are in circles with a navy background and gold bubbles below.

Best Foods Comedy Gala

4 May 2024The Opera House

Critically acclaimed comic, Ed Byrne, is returning to Wellington. He is wearing a suit, and square-frame glasses and has a peculiar facial expression. The image has a broken glass texture overlay.

Ed Byrne — Tragedy Plus Time

17 August 2024The Opera House

Chris Parker posing with a phone in front of a bridge.

Chris Parker

13 July 2024The Opera House

Chopper posing with a spider.

Chopper – Not Here to F*ck Spiders New Zealand Tour

18 May 2024The Opera House

Georgie Carroll sits cross-legged on the floor in blue scrubs with blue confetti surrounding her.

Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo

5 July 2024The Opera House

Portrait of Melanie Bracewell.

Melanie Bracewell

25 May 2024The Opera House