#FIRSTLOOK: “JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER” ANNOUNCE THEIR 2026 FESTIVAL LINEUP

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER today announced an exciting lineup of over 100 shows featuring more than 250 artists set to mark a decade of hilarity as the Festival celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary with eleven days of can’t-miss performances. From influential trailblazers and acclaimed performers to standout comedic voices, rising stars and digital comedy breakouts, this year’s edition welcomes an incredible roster of talent. Running from February 12 to 22, 2026, Western Canada’s largest comedy festival will offer fans a diverse programming mix featuring stand-up, podcasts, improv and sketch, and magic showcasing both celebrated global performers and some of the best in Canadian comedy.

Also returning in 2026 is Best of the West, the hugely popular annual comedy series celebrating B.C.’s local talent, presented in association with SiriusXM Canada. This year’s stacked lineup includes (Please Don’t Sue Us) T@$km@$ter, Buds and Suds Comedy, camp! Comedy!, Canadian Steam presented by The Comedy Department, CanFest, Cellar Comedy, Chill, Comedy!, Colin Cowan’s COMEDY WORLD: a pro standup show, Comedy Bingo!, Couples Clownselling, Drag Brunch with Dust Cwaine, Maestro, Pillow Talk, Rez Comedy Live, RIOT – Vancouver Sketch Comedy, Saving Face: A Multigenerational Asian Comedy, Seasoned, Sean McDonnell & Enemies, Teen Angst Night, That’s gay! Comedy, The HERO SHOW and Trans Girls: Raw and Uncut.

”We’re thrilled to bring together a bold, diverse mix of comedic voices for the 2026 Just For Laughs VANCOUVER festival,” said Nick Brazao, Head of Programming & Talent at JFL. “This year’s lineup showcases boundary-pushers, fan favourites, and emerging talent who reflect the energy and creativity of Vancouver’s comedy fans. We can’t wait to share these performances with audiences in February.”

“Celebrating our 10th anniversary is more than a milestone, it’s a tribute to everyone who has been a part of the journey: our artists, partners, audiences, team and the incredible local comedy community,” said Heather Wallace, Founding Partner and Festival Director of Just For Laughs VANCOUVER. “From our local roots to becoming a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, this festival has grown beyond anything I imagined.”

Tickets forJust For Laughs VANCOUVER will go on pre-sale for subscribers at 10AM PT, followed by the general public sale on Friday, November 28 at 10AM PT at JFLVancouver.com.

Performing at Just For Laughs VANCOUVER 2026

James Acaster
Orpheum | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
James Acaster is “One of comedy’s most original voices” (Evening Standard) receiving acclaim from around the world, including a record breaking 5 consecutive nominations for ‘Best Comedy Show’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. In 2017 he toured with a staggering three-show ‘Trelogy’, performing Recognise, Represent and Reset consecutively over three nights in each venue. These three shows and Recap form his Netflix four-part series, Repertoire. In 2017 James released his debut book “Classic Scrapes” and his second book “Perfect Sound Whatever” in 2019, with both making the Sunday Times bestseller list. James also has two hit podcasts “Off Menu” which he hosts with Ed Gamble, and ‘Perfect Sounds’ both of which are regulars on the iTunes top 10 List.

Dropout Improv
Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Thursday, February 19, 2026 7:00 PM
From the minds behind Dropout comes an evening of improv, minigames, and off-the-wall shenanigans. Hosted by Kurt Maloney, and featuring the improv talents of Kimia Behpoorni, Jeremy Culhane, Vic Michaelis, Jacob Wysocki, and Scott Passarella.

Atsuko Okatsuka: The Big Bowl Tour
Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Saturday, February 21, 2026 7:00 PM
Atsuko Okatsuka is an award-winning comedian and actress. Her highly-anticipated second stand-up special “Father” premiered on Hulu and internationally on Disney+, quickly occupying the streamer’s top ten. Her previous special “The Intruder” (HBO), won a Gracie Award for “Best Comedy Special”, The New York Times called the “Best Debut Special of 2022” and Vulture and Variety named one of the “Best Specials of 2022.” Her 2024-2025 “Full Grown” tour sold out over 200 shows in more than 100 cities across 20+ countries and her comedic antics continue to go viral, racking up over 100 million views. Outside of stand-up, Atsuko’s film credits include “All That We Love,” “Group Therapy” and Pixar’s “Elio.” Her unique style of comedy blends joy with vulnerability and unforgettable storytelling. Her fans have even shown up at her shows wearing wigs styled like her signature bowl cut — a testament to how deeply she connects with her audience.

Laura Ramoso: The Calm Down Tour
Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 7:00 PM
Laura Ramoso is a German-Italian comedian best known for her live sketch specials and viral impressions on social media. She has amassed over 3.5 million followers with hit characters like “German Mom,” “Italian Dad,” and “Chiara”. In 2023, she performed entirely sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London’s Soho Theatre with her critically-acclaimed second hour, “Frances.” Laura was named a 2023 Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy. In 2024, she embarked on her first international tour with her third special, “Sit Up Straight,” running 60+ sold-out shows through Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the UK, and North America. Earlier this year, she opened for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on their Restless Leg Tour at the Wang Theatre in Boston. Her “Calm Down Tour,” kicks off in Australia and New Zealand in March 2026.

An Evening with Phil Rosenthal of “Somebody Feed Phil”
Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 4:00 PM
Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of “Somebody Feed Phil,” as well as a two-time New York Times Best Selling Author and soon-to-be restaurant owner. “Somebody Feed Phil” – one of Netflix’s most popular food and travel shows – has garnered a cult-like following and released its eighth season on June 18th in 190 countries. The Emmy-nominated series is Netflix’s longest unscripted series and combines Rosenthal’s love of food and travel with his unique brand of humour and has become must-see TV for foodies, restaurateurs, travelers, and armchair enthusiasts all over the world. Rosenthal has been nominated for a 2024 Critics’ Choice Real TV Award, after winning Critics Choice Real TV Awards in 2022 and 2021 for “Best Travel/Adventure Show” and “Male Star of the Year” on behalf of the series. He also garnered a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for “Visual Media—Long Form.”

Rene Vaca
Queen Elizabeth Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 9:30 PM
René Vaca was named one of the featured comics for Netflix’s 2024 Introducing showcase at Netflix is a Joke Festival and also sold out two headlining shows of his own at the festival. René is 28 years old from San Fernando Valley, California. After realizing he wanted to pursue comedy for a living, he dropped out of college and has not looked back since. Rene recently won the 16th annual StandUp NBC competition and has built a following with his stand-up comedy clips reaching millions of views across his social media channels.

Lucy Darling: Simply Darling
Vogue Theatre | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 3:30PM & 6:30 PM
Carisa Hendrix – the mind behind Lucy Darling – is a respected magician and variety artist who brings magic and mayhem to the stage with their highly reviewed semi-improvised magic shows. A native of Calgary, this larger-than-life performer has earned accolades for their amazing magical stunts and delightful comedic flair. Winning over 15 different awards and thrilling audiences worldwide, Hendrix is well-loved in the world of magic. Known for their circus skills, bubble sculpting, and magic, Hendrix is a well-rounded and accomplished performer who has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Hendrix is the 2021 recipient of the Carlton Award from the Magic Circle in London, the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Allan Slaight Award, and was recently awarded Stage Magician of the Year at the world-famous Magic Castle for a historic second year in a row.

Michelle Buteau
Vogue Theatre | Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Michelle Buteau is an actress, comedian, producer and writer. The multihyphenate stars in the Netflix comedy series “Survival Of The Thickest,” which she created, executive produced, and which is inspired by her autobiographical book of essays of the same name. In 2024, Buteau taped her second Netflix comedy special, “A Buteau-ful Mind” live at Radio City Music Hall, becoming the first woman to tape a special at the iconic venue. Her first Netflix special, “Welcome to Buteaupia” won the Critics Choice Television Award for Best Comedy Special. Buteau also starred in the hit comedy “Babes,” alongside Ilana Glazer and recently wrapped production on the comedy “Spa Weekend” opposite Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher and Anna Faris. Buteau is also known as the host of the hit Netflix reality competition show, “The Circle” as well as the second season of Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown.” She has also hosted the 2024 Billboard Music Awards and the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party livestream. Buteau’s other film and television highlights include “Marry Me,” “First Wives Club,” “Always Be My Maybe” and “Someone Great.”

Nimesh Patel
Vogue Theatre | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Nimesh Patel is a comedian and Emmy-nominated writer who has risen the ranks to some of comedy’s biggest stages due to his unassailable joke writing, prolific output, and innovative marketing. Named as one of Variety’s prestigious “10 Comics To Watch” of 2023 and hailed by Vulture as “a Comedian You Should and Will Know,” Nimesh has charted a path from sold-out comedy clubs to major theatres. His most recent self-produced special “Lucky Lefty” about his experience having testicular cancer “for three business days” is his third in the past two years. “Lucky Lefty” along with his first two self-produced specials “Thank You China” and “Jokes to Get You Through Quarantine” have amassed millions of views on YouTube. His first writing job came after Chris Rock saw him perform standup and hired him to write for The Academy Awards in 2016 and tour with him. Since then, he has written for “Saturday Night Live,” “A Little Late with Lilly Singh,” The White House Correspondents Dinner, and was a producer for “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” He has made multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

Brent Butt
Vancouver Playhouse | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Brent Butt has long been considered one of the funniest people in Canada, with a career in stand-up comedy that stretches into five decades, including numerous appearances at major festivals in multiple countries and being voted Best Male Stand-Up in Canada by his peers in the profession. He also created and starred in two successful sitcoms – “Corner Gas” (“Funniest Show on TV” as voted by TV Guide Readers, seen in 60 countries) and “Hiccups” (multiple Leo and Writers Guild Awards). He has also written and produced two theatrical feature films (“No Clue,” “Corner Gas: The Movie”) and his debut novel, the dark psychological thriller “Huge,” was a #1 national bestseller.

Jimbo’s Clown Town at Just For Laughs Vancouver
Vogue Theatre | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Jimbo is a multi-disciplinary performance artist and designer, most known for his drag persona Jimbo the Drag Clown! Jimbo has been featured on three seasons of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” and was the break-out star of “Canada’s Drag Race: Season One,” where his outstanding performance, shocking elimination and iconic exit created an immediate fan favourite. Jimbo was cast on “Rupaul’s Drag Race: UK vs The World, Season One” after which he embarked on his first world tour of 17 countries. Most recently Jimbo competed on and won “Rupaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8,” and is currently completing his second world tour with over 100 North American and Australian dates still to come. As a stand-up comedian, Jimbo has toured the UK as a part of the MP Present: Hater’s Roast Tour and more was recently featured in a World Of Wonder stan- up comedy special as one of his legendary winning Snatch game characters, Joan Rivers. At Just For Laughs VANCOUVER, Jimbo performs his legendary impression of a comedy icon. It’ll be a night of good jokes and bad taste, featuring two beloved comedians, both of whom are long dead.

Rafi Bastos
Vogue Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Rafi Bastos is a Jewish-Brazilian comedian with an accent like Dracula and a rapidly growing social media presence of stand up clips in English. In his home-country of Brazil, Rafi is a trailblazer of comedy, media and is one of the first comedians to pioneer the art of American-style stand up comedy in Brazil. After setting more than a few records, he opened a stand-up comedy club and created national controversy by challenging Brazil’s oppressive laws surrounding freedom of speech. Rafi’s videos have more than 370 million views on his Youtube channel alone. In 2011, he was considered by The New York Times as the Most Influential Man on Twitter, at the time with 7 million followers, now at 11.4 million. In 2013, Rafi won the SHORTY AWARDS, also known as the “Oscars of Social Media”, for Best Comedian. Both in English and Portuguese, Rafi continues to prove that he is among the most talented artists of Latin America. He is also the first Brazilian comedian to headline at Just For Laughs in Montreal and has three comedy specials on Netflix. He has starred in movies, had his own controversial talk show, been an in-field journalist and hosted reality shows (“Ultimate Beastmaster” for Netflix).

Drew Lynch
Vogue Theatre | Thursday, February 19, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Comedian and actor Drew Lynch captured the hearts of America with his Golden Buzzer performance on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” where he finished in second place. Since then, Drew has amassed millions of followers on social media while touring the world non-stop to sold-out audiences. In 2023, Drew released his second special “And These Are Jokes.” He also appeared in a recurring role in the final season of IFC’s hit series “Maron” as well as TBS’ “Conan.” A favourite on the podcast circuit, Drew has made multiple appearances on some of the most downloaded shows, giving his unique take on everything from pop culture to news headlines to the life of a traveling comic.

ISMO: Perseverance Tour
Vogue Theatre | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM
ISMO is an internationally acclaimed comedian, author, rally driver and master of wordplay. ISMO: Perseverance Tour blends clever wit with Finnish grit for a comedy experience that’s smart, surprising and seriously funny. ISMO has won over audiences in person and online with his sharp takes on language, culture and life’s absurdities. ISMO: Perseverance Tour features new material and observations in the Finnish spirit of SISU – having a stoic determination, tenacity, and resilience in the face of adversity. Perseverance. His debut, iconic stand-up set on “Conan” went viral with over 135 million views. The following year he was invited to perform on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” sparking massive growth across social media.

Connor Wood
Vogue Theatre | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Connor Wood, known as @fibula across his socials, launched his comedy career online with relatable rants about life in quarantine as an unemployed person. Connor has since garnered tens of millions of likes across his videos, and co-hosts his podcast – Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast – with Brooke Averick. Wood has been recognized as an upcoming comic to know by the New York Comedy Festival, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. In the live space, Wood has been touring his Fibs & Friends show since early 2024, and has sold out over 100 shows. On the heels of his final Fibs & Friends Last Leg tour, Wood is excited to bring his standup to Vancouver for the first time. Wood will deliver fresh and relatable takes on navigating life in his late 20s, experimental crowd work, plus fresh material since his recent move to NYC.

Zoltan Kaszas: Worldwide(ish) Tour
Vogue Theatre | Friday, February 20,2026 | 7:00 PM
Zoltan Kaszas is a Hungarian-born, award-winning stand-up comedian known for his sharp, observational humour. Kaszas, who The Atlantic called a “breakout star,” has been featured on several SiriusXM comedy channels, Laughs on Fox, Netflix Is a Joke, Scotland’s Fringe Festival and headlines comedy clubs and theaters across the country. It was his riff on why cats are better than dogs that brought viral fame, racking up over 68 million views with The Guardian’s (UK) calling it one of the “ten funniest things I’ve seen on the Internet.” Kaszas has two Dry Bar standup specials and four independent standup specials on YouTube: Modern Male, White Lies, Honorary Jones and his most recent, London Fog. His ability to take relatable experiences and turn them into hilarious stories has earned him both critical acclaim and a loyal following.

Cristela Alonzo: The Midlife Mixtape Tour
Vancouver Playhouse | Friday, February 20, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Cristela Alonzo is a powerhouse comedian, writer, and actress whose sharp wit and infectious charm have made her a standout voice in comedy today. Most recently, she served as a co-producer on “Happy’s Place.” Her latest Netflix comedy special, “Upper Classy,” premiered on September 23, following the success of her previous hits “Middle Classy” and “Lower Classy” — a trilogy that hilariously traces her journey from humble beginnings to unapologetic self-awareness. Cristela has appeared in Netflix’s “The Laundromat,” alongside Meryl Streep and Gary Oldman, and before that, she made history as the creator and star of her own ABC sitcom, “Cristela.” A regular on “The View” and a familiar face from “Conan”, Cristela has also been featured on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution,” and Showtime’s “Legally Brown”. Her work behind the camera has earned her multiple awards, including Best Film at the Boston Comedy Festival for her short films. She also appeared in FX’s acclaimed series “Sons of Anarchy.” With her latest stand-up tour, “The Midlife Mixtape Tour,” she proves that comedy, like life, only gets better with experience.

UpDating
Vancouver Playhouse | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM
UpDating is the critically-acclaimed New York City-based live dating & comedy show bringing two singles on blindfolded first dates in front of live audiences. Dubbed “the most raw dating show in existence,” what follows is a hilarious show with audience participation, raw moments, and relatable feedback on modern romance in real-time with real people. Reality TV…unfolding & unedited on stage! Created, Produced, and Hosted by NYC-based comedians, Brandon Berman (@bermmy16) & Harrison Forman (@htforman).

Mary Beth Barone: Galaxy Brain Tour
Vancouver Playhouse | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Mary Beth Barone is a comedian, writer, and actor. She stars on the hit Amazon/A24 comedy series “Overcompensating,” which she also wrote on. Mary Beth made her late-night standup debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and returned to perform on the show again in 2024. Her self-produced her first standup special “Thought Provoking,” released in April 2024. She has headlined sold out shows at New York Comedy Fest, Netflix Comedy Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe. Mary Beth is the co-host of the popular podcast “Ride” with Benito Skinner. Her standup has been (accurately) described as dark post-modernism and ingeniously self-aware.

Tumua
Vancouver Playhouse | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Tumua is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, former collegiate athlete, actor, and social media personality. He was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. His social media sketches and stand-up bits are very well known in the Polynesian community throughout the world, and his online presence reaches over 600,000 followers. As a stand-up comic, Tumua has been selling out clubs, theaters, and arenas all across the nation. In 2023 Tumua performed in 22 cities, 11 states, and 5 islands.

Craig Conant
Rio Theatre | Wednesday, February 18 & Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Craig Conant is known for his unique blend of storytelling, self-deprecating humour, and reflections on sobriety. Born and raised in Los Angeles to a Mexican mother and an angry white father, Craig uses his chaotic life experiences—like being fired from Trader Joe’s—as material that resonates with audiences. His humour often centers around the absurdities of life and his recovery journey, delivered with a laid-back, quirky style that has captivated fans across the country. Craig has performed at the Just For Laughs Festival, where he was named a New Face of Comedy, and the Netflix Is A Joke festival. His viral stand-up has drawn millions of views across social media. He has sold out shows at the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles and hosts his popular podcast “Community Service.” Whether performing alongside legends like Bill Burr, Theo Von, and Bobby Lee or going viral with relatable bits, Craig Conant is solidifying his place as a comedic force to watch.

Ed Gamble
Rio Theatre | Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Ed Gamble is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster. In 2018, Ed co-created Off Menu with fellow host James Acaster. In 2019 and 2020 it was nominated for Best Comedy Podcast at the British Podcast Awards. Guests have included Robert De Niro, Jeff Goldblum, Nicola Coughlan, Jada Pinkett Smith and Kumail Nanjiani. To date, it consistently tops iTunes and UK Comedy Podcast charts with over 100 million downloads in 195 different countries. Crowned the series nine champion of “Taskmaster,” Ed is the host of the Taskmaster Podcast. He was also a judge on series 17, 18, 19 and 20 of BBC Two’s “Great British Menu”, a guest-host on BBC One’s “Pointless,” and has co-hosted a Radio X Show with Matthew Crosby since 2019. In 2024, he became the host of “The Traitors: Uncloaked,” as well as “The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked” in 2025. He toured his twice-extended stand-up show, “Blizzard,” in 2019 with his special, “Blood Sugar,” being released the same year on Amazon Prime. His 2022 tour, “Electric,” was extended after selling out multiple venues in its initial run. Following the success of his most recent tour, “Hot Diggity Dog” has been extended into 2025 and 2026 with dates across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America.

Joe List
Rio Theatre | Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Joe List is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor whose movie “Fourth of July” (which he co-wrote and starred in) played in theatres across North America. Joe has released his last 3 specials on YouTube, where they’ve totaled nearly 14 million views. List is a regular on Rogan and “The Tonight Show” and he’s performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Conan.” He was a finalist on NBC’s” Last Comic Standing,” has his own half-hour special on Comedy Central, and he also stars in season 2 of Netflix’s “The Stand Ups.” His albums ‘So Far No Good’ and ‘Are You Mad at Me?’ can be heard on Sirius Radio. List is also the co-host of the popular weekly podcast “Tuesdays with Stories” w/ Mark Normand. He can be seen regularly at the Comedy Cellar in New York City.

Alingon Mitra
Rio Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Alingon is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer living in New York. He has written for “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” on Comedy Central and was also staffed on “Adam Ruins Everything” for TruTV. He has done stand-up on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Conan,” “Late Night with Craig Ferguson” and “Adam Devine’s House Party.” After becoming a semi-finalist on “Last Comic Standing,” Alingon won the coveted “Comic Comeback” award to appear in the season finale. He was selected to be a new face at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2015. Alingon graduated from Harvard, where he was a writer for the illustrious Harvard Lampoon.

Mario Adrion
Rio Theatre | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Mario Adrion is a stand-up comedian and YouTuber from a small town in Germany who gained over 2 million followers from posting VLOGs and comedy clips across his various social platforms. His comedy is refreshingly vulnerable playing with the struggles and stereotypes of being a retired male model and as a European living in the United States. He’s been featured in Vogue, FOX, ABC, Daily Front Row, Pro7, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and you also might know him from his iconic comedy performance challenging Katy Perry to a Catwalk Battle on “American Idol” while wearing a Speedo. Based out of LA and NYC, Mario regularly performs at the Hollywood IMPROV, Laugh Factory, The Stand NYC, and recently sold-out his headlining shows as part of the New York Comedy Festival. Mario is currently touring the United States, Canada, and Europe, as part of his “German Efficiency” stand up tour. He is one of the hottest new comics and you don’t want to miss his European charm.

Michael Longfellow
Rio Theatre | Friday, February 13, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Michael Longfellow is a comedian and actor, most recently on the cast of “Saturday Night LIve.” Michael was one of Netflix’s Introducing next stars of comedy at the Netflix is a Joke Festival and a Comic To Watch at the New York Comedy Festival. Michael has appeared on “Late Night”, “Conan,” NBC’s “Bring The Funny,” and more. He can be seen performing stand up at clubs across the country on his Tourfellow Tour.

Emil Wakim
Rio Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Emil Wakim is a stand-up comedian and writer based in Brooklyn, NY by way of Bloomington, Indiana. He was a writer and cast member on “Saturday Night Live” for its milestone 50th season. Emil made his late-night television debut on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and can be seen on the latest season of Comedy Central’s “Stand-Up Featuring.” Also, he was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Emil has opened for Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, Moshe Kasher, Michael Rapaport, and is a regular tour opener for Nikki Glaser.

Grace Helbig: Let Me Get This Off My Chest
Rio Theatre | Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM
At 37 years old Grace was diagnosed with breast cancer. No family history, no pre-existing conditions. It was a darkly humourous adventure, to say the least. “Let Me Get This Off My Chest” reveals lessons and confessions from her “journey” into the wild world of cancer treatment.

Yakov Smirnoff
York Theatre | Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:00 PM
In 1977, Yakov Smirnoff embarked on an incredible journey, leaving behind communist Soviet Union to chase the American dream. Yakov’s charming outlook on life as a newcomer to America quickly won over audiences, and he rose to the top of the comedy world. He graced “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and appeared on countless television programs, even becoming a beloved character on “Night Court.” His signature humour led to his own show, inspired by his famous catchphrase, “What a Country!” From there, Yakov made his mark on the big screen, sharing scenes with Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Meryl Streep, and Jack Nicholson. His TV special “Happily Ever Laughter” was named “The Best Special” on PBS in both 2016 and 2017. Yakov Smirnoff’s comedy is more than jokes — it’s a journey of heart, humour, and hope. His shows are an hour of non-stop laughter, leaving audiences inspired, grateful, and deeply connected. He appeals to families, couples, and anyone longing for comedy that is clean, timeless, and profoundly human.

Rosebud Baker
Revue Stage | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 9:00 PM & Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Rosebud Baker is a New York-based comedian, actor, and Emmy Award-winning writer. Named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” and Vulture’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know,” Rosebud is currently a writer for “Saturday Night Live.” She wrote and performed on two WGA Award-nominated sketch series: “That Damn Michael Che” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” Rosebud has performed stand-up on “That’s My Time with David Letterman,” “Bill Burr’s The Ringers,” and her debut stand-up special, “Whiskey Fists,” premiered in 2021 on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel, produced by Bill Burr & All Things Comedy. This year, she released her first Netflix special, “The Mother Lode.” Her acting work can be seen in “Life & Beth” and the upcoming horror-comedy feature film “Hell of A Summer” directed by Finn Wolfhard & Billy Bryk.

Katherine Blanford
Revue Stage | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 9:00 PM & Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Originally hailing from Kentucky, Katherine Blanford is known for her human Golden Retriever presence on stage. After racking up millions of views on her “Don’t Tell Comedy” set, Katherine hit the road sharing confessions of her southern family secrets and awkward adolescent years across the country and internationally. Katherine has appeared twice on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon,” Vice TV’s “Super Maximum Retro Show,” and “After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson.” Most recently, Katherine was featured on Deadline’s “Comedians Ready to Break Out in 2025”. Katherine released her debut special, “Catholic Cowgirl,” with 800LB Gorilla Records in December 2024. Not bad for a girl whose parents are cousins.

Aurie Styla
York Theatre | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Aurie Styla is an award-winning comedian, actor and writer from London, England. Standing out as one of the most charismatic and versatile performers on the British circuit, he’s now coming back to North America after being selected as one of the JFL New Faces in 2025. His most recent comedy special “The Aurator” sold over 30,000 tickets across 4 continents and was acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. His personable and direct-to-consumer approach to delivering comedy, has amassed over 700K dedicated followers & 100’s of millions of video views across his social media platforms.

Wally Baram
York Theatre | Friday, February 13, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Wally Baram is a Mexican-Syrian stand-up comedian, writer, and actress. Wally is a series regular and supervising producer on the hit Amazon series “Overcompensating,” created by Benito Skinner. She was a producer on the Netflix series, “Neon,” created by Shea Serrano and a co-producer on the Apple TV series, “Shrinking” with Jason Segel, Brett Goldstein, and Bill Lawrence. She has written on “English Teacher,” “What We Do In The Shadows,” “Betty,” and “Sprung.” Wally was a Just For Laughs ‘New Faces”’ for stand-up comedy and made her late-night debut on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Wally performs regularly at clubs and venues across the country. Her comedy brings a unique perspective on the strange banalities of entering the adult world as well as growing up with a strong multi-cultural/Mexican-Syrian identity. She is also, unfortunately, Gen-Z.

Annie Lederman
House of Comedy | Friday, February 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM & 9:45 PM & Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Annie Lederman is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, writer and actress known for her quick-witted observation and uncensored, unapologetic comedic stylings. She is currently on her international Anniewood Tour. Annie hosts the hugely popular Anniewood podcast, offering fans an exclusive, weekly peek into her world alongside friends, including friends and comedy legends Bill Burr, Nikki Glaser, Marc Maron, and Tim Dillon. Annie has appeared on Showtime’s hit documentary mini-series, “The Comedy Store,” “Lights Out with David Spade,” “this is not happening,” “Girl Code,” “Chelsea Lately,” “Comedy Knockout,” “The Soup Investigates,” and “Adam Divine’s House Party.” You can listen to Annie’s wild stories and sharp tongue on the “Joe Rogan Experience,” “The Church with Joey Diaz,” “wtf with Marc Maron,” “good for you with Whitney Cummings,” “Planbri” and many others. Lederman has also written for some of today’s most popular TV/Film including Trutv’s “Impractical Jokers” as well as Showtime’s “Borat.” Additionally, she was a producer and writer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Showtime series “Who is America?”

Vladimir Caamaño
House of Comedy | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:30 PM & 9:45 PM & Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM| Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM
With the name “Vladimir,” few people expect a Dominican from The Bronx to take the stage. His comedic style is the fruit of an immigrant Dominican family living in the cultural mecca that is New York City and is described as an elegant combination of urban grit and intellect. He began polishing his wit in the concrete jungles of The Bronx and Washington Heights and after graduating from Wesleyan University launched into stand-up comedy. After his standout performance at Just for Laughs in 2015, Vlad entered a pilot development deal to co-write, and star in a pilot based off of his comedy for NBC with Bill Lawrence and WB supervising. Vlad co-wrote the script with “Undateable” writerAdam Styzikiel and recently shot the pilot directed by Phill Lewis. Vlad was the only one of his New Faces class to be chosen to perform as part of the CW Gala hosted by Howie Mandel. In 2016, Vlad was named one of the Top 10 Comics to Watch by Variety and was honored at Just for Laughs. In 2017 Vlad made his late-night stand-up debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and performed again at the prestigious Just for Laughs Gala hosted by Lilly Singh. Vlad has been seen on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Marvel’s “Runaways,” and NBC’s “Superstore.”

Dylan Adler presents: Haus of Dy-lan
Revue Stage | Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 9:00 PM & Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Dylan Adler is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and musician based in Los Angeles. Dylan was a writer on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” where he also made his late night stand-up debut. Previously he wrote and starred in “Stapleview” for producer Sam Grey. Additionally, he’s headlined at the New York Comedy Festival (2021 Comic To Watch), the Asian Comedy Festival, the Toronto Sketch Fest and was featured in the New York Times for his show “Rape Victims are Horny Too,” which was featured in the 2022 YES AND LAUGHTER LAB. Dylan has performed at clubs including Littlefield, The Bell House, Union Hall, Joe’s Pub, and his work has been featured on “The Gag” for Comedy Central and Hulu. Dylan was named as part of Vulture’s 2022 “Comics You Should and Will Know” list and was featured in the 2024 season of “Comedy Central Presents.” Dylan can currently be seen in the national Walmart campaign “Add To Heart,” co-written by Sharon Horgan. After opening for Atsuko all over the country, Dylan recently brought his acclaimed stage show “Play That Track” to the 2024 Netflix Is A Joke Festival.

Jesus Sepulveda
Revue Stage | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM & Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 9:00 PM
Jesus Sepulveda is a Tucson-native who began his stand-up career at 15-years old. After years of touring and opening for Fluffy, he filmed his first half-hour special “Mr. Tough Guy” for HBO Max in 2022. When he is not touring, making viral sketches, or performing nightly in Los Angeles at the Laugh Factory and Hollywood Improv, Jesus co-hosts the popular syndicated morning radio show Big Boy’s Neighborhood on 92.3 alongside LA-legend Big Boy. He recently partnered with Warner Bros. Studios on their first-ever “Vamos Comedy Event” and voices the popular character “Senor Tomas” on the animated Toonstar series “House of Chico.” He was just selected as a New Face at the 2025 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.

Jessie “Jetski” Johnson
Revue Stage | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 9:00 PM & Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Jessie “Jetski” Johnson is a music school drop-out and trumpet player turned stand-up comedian from Phoenix, now blossoming in Los Angeles. She is a paid regular at the World Famous Comedy Store and frequently performs at the Comedy Mothership in Austin. She is a cast member on two of the most popular comedy podcasts today: the ”Kill Tony Podcast” and the ”Bad Friends Podcast” with Andrew Santino and Bobby Lee. Catch her on the road with the Bad Friends tour, the Killers of Kill Tony tour, or headlining a city near you.

Jack Jr.
York Theatre | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Jack Assadourian is an up-and-coming comedian of Armenian and Mexican descent who has gained massive popularity for his unique perspective and hilarious observations on life. He often incorporates his multicultural background into his stand-up routine, sharing stories and experiences that resonate with audiences from all different backgrounds. With his energetic stage presence and witty sense of humour, Jack has become a name in the world of comedy synonymous with guaranteed sold-out shows. He’s recently been seen selling out Netflix Is A Joke and Amazon Prime’s Laugh After Dark. Assadourian can also be found on his successful podcast, “Comedy Club Confessions.”

Nacho Redondo: Traumas (En Español)
York Theatre | Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Nacho Redondo is a Venezuelan comedian who resides in Mexico City. He has toured the world and released several comedy specials (“Huevo de Dragón,” “Macadamia,” “Discapacitado”). Nacho has performed at the Netflix is ​​a Joke Festival and the 312 Comedy Festival in Chicago. He is also creator of “Escuela de Nada,” one of the most successful podcasts in the world

Red Richardson: Bugatti Live
Revue Stage | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Red Richardson is an internationally renowned stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. His ‘Stay Toxic’ videos have well over a hundred million views on Instagram alone and his stand-up shows sell out theatres and comedy clubs across the globe. In 2023 his stand-up show “The Best of Red Richardson” sold out the Leicester Square Theatre in under 24 hours. In 2024 Red embarked on his “Bugatti Live” tour, which he took to America and sold out the legendary comedy store in LA twice with venues selling out months in advance and extra shows being added in every city of The UK and Ireland. He sold out London’s iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire and added Australian dates due to demand in what is now at the time of writing, a 90-date global sell out tour.

Ola Dada: “Eh Better Life” Live Comedy Special Recording
Hollywood Theatre | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Ola Dada is a Nigerian-born comedian who hosted the 2025 JUNO Awards for Comedy Album of the Year and continues to rise as one of Canada’s standout comedic voices. A runner-up in the SiriusXM Top Comic Competition, semifinalist on “Canada’s Got Talent”, and 2nd place finisher in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, Ola has performed across North America with his sharp wit and relatable humour. You could have seen him on CBC Gem and CBC’s “The Debaters”. His comedy special “Unlimited Dada” was recently added to Comedy Dynamics, the largest independent comedy distributor in North America, bringing his unique voice to audiences worldwide through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Vimeo, and more.

Rachid Badouri: The Tale of the Syrian Dragon
Revue Stage | Monday, February 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Celebrated French-Canadian stand-up comedian Rachid Badouri, renowned for captivating audiences in French across the globe with three specials and over 1 million tickets sold in 10 countries, is set to make his groundbreaking English debut. Known for his humour and captivating stage presence, Rachid brings a fresh perspective to stand-up comedy, blending cultural anecdotes with his vibrant energy.

And Just LIke That This Is Me Now: An Evening with Tranna Wintour
Revue Stage | Friday, February 20, 2026 | 9:00 PM
Tranna Wintour is a comedian, writer, actor, singer, and podcaster. She has recorded gala performances with Just for Laughs in both English and French, and was one of the festival’s prestigious New Faces Canada in 2019. She has performed on stages and in festivals across the country and was named by Fashion magazine as one of the queens of Canadian comedy. In 2022, Tranna became a breakout star on Québec’s “Big Brother Célébrités.” Last year, she returned to reality TV on CTV/Crave’s “The Traitors Canada,” where her honest and magnetic personality took her to the final two, cementing her as one of the franchise’s most beloved and unforgettable players. In addition to her work as a performer, Tranna co-hosted and co-produced CBC Podcasts’ “Chosen Family” for three seasons. Her current show is a bold and experimental hour of comedy, featuring meditations on life, love, and celebrity culture. From whale cocks to Jennifer Lopez’s divorce from Ben Affleck, nothing is off limits during this night of (potentially unhinged) comedy you do not want to miss.

Dan Duvall
Fox Cabaret | Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Dan Duvall is a Victoria-based comedian who has performed across Canada and the US including at Just For Laughs Vancouver, CBC’s LOL and Rifflandia Festival. He’s opened for Shawn Majumder, Brent Butt, Bruce McCulloch, Jon Dore and more. He is also the subject of the CraveTV/HBO Canada documentary “Funny Tweets!” Dan has extensive experience as a writer with his work appearing on the Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and has served as a copywriter for commercial adverts on TV and radio. He is fresh off being named to the 2025 cast of New Faces and being part of the hugely successful “One Night Out” Gala with Alan Cumming at Just For Laughs Montreal.

Special Presentations

As part of this year’s anniversary celebrations, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is proud to present two Special Presentations – Jokers Canada: Valentines Day Comedy Classic and The Critical Hit Show – both shows that are helping to elevate Vancouver’s presence on the comedy map and deserve a special spotlight at this year’s Festival.

Jokers Canada: Valentine’s Day Comedy Classic
BMO Theatre Centre | Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Spend an evening with Canada’s comedy elite. An all‑star showcase featuring touring headliners and the nation’s most accomplished comics. Produced by Aaron Arya.

The Critical Hit Show
Rio Theatre | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM
One of Vancouver’s longest-running comedy events, world-class comedians quest for glory and laughs in this improvised comedy adventure that takes its inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, fantasy film and TV, and (most importantly) YOU!

Sponsors

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is proud to welcome its partners Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, SiriusXM Canada, B.C. Lottery Corporation, Stanley Park Brewing, NUTRL, Downtown Van, Vancouver Sun, The Province, DailyHive and Curiocity to its 10 Year celebration and 2026 event.

Comedy For Community

Comedy For Community returns in 2026! Everyone deserves a laugh and we are committed to ensuring live comedy is accessible to all. We’ll continue to use our platform to support causes that matter, and recognize the incredible people who serve our community —because laughter brings us all together, and there’s nothing more impactful than connection!

This year, we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with the BCLC Community Ticketing Program, which recognizes local not-for-profit societies and charities by bringing staff and volunteers together for a shared moment of joy and laughter. Organizations can apply for a pair of tickets to select Just For Laughs VANCOUVER 2026 shows at jflvancouver.com/comedy-for-community.

At BCLC, we believe in the power of human connection. Whether it’s through the excitement of a shared win or the pride of knowing your play gives back to B.C., we create opportunities for people to come together and feel part of something bigger. This includes celebrating the passion, dedication, and support of local non-profit organizations in communities throughout B.C.

In addition to the BCLC Community Ticketing Program, festival-goers can choose to add a donation of $1, $2, or $5 at checkout to help us offer even more tickets, bringing the laughs to as many deserving community members as possible!

FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:
Pre-sale tickets will be available starting today, Tuesday, November 25, at various times at www.jflvancouver.com.

Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, November 28 at 10:00 AM PT at www.jflvancouver.com.

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER:
Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is one of Canada’s largest and most renowned comedy festivals, showcasing an extraordinary lineup of top-tier comedic talent from around the globe. Spanning multiple venues across the city, the festival brings Vancouver to life with a celebration of all things comedy. Over the years, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER has welcomed some of the biggest names in comedy, including Jerry Seinfeld, John Mulaney, Bill Burr, Trevor Noah, Hannah Gadsby, Marc Maron, The Office Ladies, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Maria Bamford, Ronny Chieng, and many more. In addition to hosting global megastars, the festival proudly fosters homegrown talent with its wildly popular curated series, Best of the West, shining a spotlight on the exceptional comedians emerging from Vancouver and beyond. With a legacy of unforgettable performances and a reputation for curating both established icons and rising stars, Just For Laughs VANCOUVER continues to solidify its place as a premier destination for comedy fans

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is a co-production between Just For Laughs and B.C. based company NorthWest Comedy. For more information, please visit jflvancouver.com/about-us.

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