#JFL: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2026 HIGHLIGHTS – TIFFANY HADDISH, PETE DAVIDSON, JOHN CLEESE, THE SKLAR BROTHERS AND MORE

By Nicholas Porteous and Mr. Will Wong

Just For Laughs Toronto 2026 officially is back, taking place across multiple venues across the City, running from September 24 to October 3, 2026. After a brief hiatus, the beloved comedy festival is stronger than ever. The 10-day event this year features an incredibly studded lineup of headliners (Pete Davidson, Tiffany Haddish, John Cleese), local stand-up showcases (Jacob Balshin), podcasts (Tracy & Martina, The Evil Men Podcast) and live recordings with rising stars.

Nicholas Porteous and Mr. Will check out some of this year’s most-anticipated shows at JFL Toronto and here are your highlights!

TIFFANY HADDISH

Funnywoman Tiffany Haddish brought her fierce confidence to the Elgin Theatre on September 26th, recounting her life story—all the way from her Track & Field days, to finding her father, and next her plans for the future, which include shooting Girls Trip 2 next year, publishing seven books over the next five years, opening multiple grocery stores, and seducing Mark Carney to heal the US-Canada relationship!

She’s also running for President under the slogan “Mind your own damn business” and recruiting a cabinet of people who ‘actually work in government’. Haddish opened the floor to the audience for an extended Q&A following her show, and made plans with a group of rowdy teachers in the back of the audience before taking a bow in the spirited show.

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THE SKLAR BROTHERS

Nicholas Porteous had the best time ever at this, his favourite show of the Festival this year! The Sklar Brothers brought their signature synchronistic Twin Comedy stylings to the Comedy Bar Main Stage on September 25th, painting a tragic and hilarious portrait of parenthood. They likened themselves to a North Korean news outlet for their children, and described the lose/lose scenario of showing them (and subsequently ruining) all their favourite movies. They made the case that Obama’s real legacy was actually raising two teenage girls in the White House, playing out a horrific call to dinner. They also pitched their ‘Young Daddy’ app, for when your kids ask for the impossible: intentionally rolling down a hill with them. Before the set was over, they clarified that they do actually enjoy having kids—just in case you weren’t sure! The Sklar Brothers gave Festival Goers a second chance to see them the following night – not that it was easy getting tickets to see this hot act.

PETE DAVIDSON

Almost three years to the last date he played in Toronto, much-talked-about Funnyman Pete Davidson makes a big return to the City, with JFL! The show being sold-out entirely gave fans a chance to preview new material from him after a lengthy absence. While we couldn’t nab a ticket to this, we are thrilled that the reviews are in, and the funnyman is indeed back! Fans in attendance, couldn’t stop raving about his set on the 26th at Meridian Hall:

We caught up with Davidson quickly after the show and he was in great spirits, placing dental hygiene first with toothpaste in-hand!

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STEF DAG

Stef Dag confronted Toronto with a tangled web of relationship histories, including a neverending situationship with her dad, a long-distance open relationship with Brad Pitt (and anybody else who doesn’t live nearby!), and a recurring lineup of six “ugly” dudes from Hinge. She celebrated the cosmic joke of Stephen Hawking’s visits to Epstein Island, and spread her conspiracy theory that there are wayyyy fewer than 8 billion people on the planet. If you’re worried about whether she’ll find her soulmate, she knows he’s statistically somewhere in Shanghai. In the meantime, she’s invested in what she jokes is a military-grade vibrator, which she believes is deeply unfair to all men! Dag played two full houses at Comedy Bar Bloor on September 26th and 27th.

JOHN CLEESE

Comedy icon John Cleese regaled (and re-grailed) the Winter Garden Theatre with a screening of timeless classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by a very silly Q&A. He was delighted by an audience that left their homes to sit in ‘slightly uncomfortable chairs’ to watch a 51 year-old movie, telling them, “You could all be at home enjoying yourselves!”. He shed light on the Film’s unlikely production, including a first draft that was almost completely thrown out, and a quest for £240,000 ($453k CDN) that was mostly successful due to a tax loophole for rock bands supporting the Arts—Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin among the donors.

Cleese emerged after the screening (wearing official killer bunny rabbit slippers) to take the temperature on his classic. “‘”You still like it, do you? I think it’s overrated. It’s very good for about 70 minutes. Then Terry Gilliam took over.”. He described the struggle between the two director Terrys—engaged in a constant back-and-forth throughout production. One Terry re-editing the movie while the other Terry slept. He playfully questioned the audience’s sanity more than once, and reflected on turning down a knighthood in light of his mortality and the whole idea feeling “a bit silly”. If anyone would know, it’s him.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a childhood dream-come-true for Nicholas!

Some highlights so far:

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We’re far from done with shows running into this coming weekend. Check back here for updated highlights and reviews!

You can expect highlights from Conor Janda, Chris Pemberton, Ray Lau, Mary Holland, Lauren Lapkus, Joel Kim Booster and more!

Tickets and more here. You still have a few days to check out JFL Toronto!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Nicholas Porteous)

Chris pemberton Conor Janda JFL John Cleese Just for Laughs Lauren Lapkus Mary Holland Pete Davidson Stef Dag the sklar brothers tiffany haddish