For over 40 years, the Just For Laughs festival has always prided itself by proclaiming that they present the biggest names in comedy every year. And the 2026 edition, running from July 15-26, is no exception, as organizers recently unveiled its first wave of shows and featured artists.
Let’s start with arguably one of the biggest names in comedy, Jerry Seinfeld, who performed at Just For Laughs on three previous occasions, which bookended his career before, during and after his landmark TV sitcom. This year, Seinfeld returns to Just For Laughs by returning to his comedy roots. On July 23 at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier at Place des Arts, Seinfeld will perform a solo show featuring his observational comedy, which has made him an iconic figure.
Another iconic figure making his Just For Laughs return is “Weird Al” Yankovic, who will present a free outdoor show on July 25 at the Place des Festivals as part of his 2026 Bigger & Weirder Tour. Fans of his hit song parodies will certainly enjoy his full-production multimedia comedy-rock show, which will live up to its “bigger and weirder” billing.
Just for Laughs Galas
The Just For Laughs Galas, the festival’s flagship series of shows, once again takes the stage of Place des Arts’ Theatre Maisonneuve. Hosted by a marquee comedian, the galas feature an impressive line-up of the top comics around. This year’s gala hosts include Mike Birbiglia (July 24), Atsuko Okatsuka (July 24), the “Fluffy” one himself, Gabriel Iglesias (July 25), and Gerry Dee (July 25).
Gerry Dee also performs live on stage at the July 25 gala at Place des Arts’ Theatre Maisonneuve
Another festival mainstay venue, Club Soda, will once again present two of the festival’s longest-running — and wildly popular — series of shows that display its diversity and edgy sides. The Culture Show (July 15-19) gives a comic perspective on the issues of cultural diversity, stereotypes and barriers.
Hosted by festival veteran David Merheje, this year’s Culture Show features four comics/diversity ambassadors who are appearing on this show for the first time: Alfred Robles, Keith Pedro, Jackie Fabulous and Tara Canistraci. The Nasty Show (July 15-19) is Just For Laughs’ dark side at its vulgar, edgy, go-for-the-throat best. This year’s line-up, hosted by Comedian CP, is filled with Nasty Show first timers: Ian Fidance, Rebecca Reeds, Marito Lopez and Maddy Smith.
Also playing at Club Soda is Girls Gotta Eat (July 24). Hosted by the comedy duo (and best friends) Rayna Greenberg and Ashley Hesseltine, the show is a live version of their hit international podcast, which tackles such topics as dating, sex and relationships, and promises to be an evening filled with girly fun, special guests, audience participation and a plethora of laughs.
Other Just For Laughs shows that were announced include the following: Smosh Reads Reddit Stories Live (July 23), Sibling Rivalry (July 22), Ron Funches (July 23), Tracy and Martina Live (July 25), the Brit(ish) show (July 21-25), David Nihill: Taking Tangents Comedy Tour (July 24), Martin Amini (July 21), Zoltan Kaszas (July 24), Jordan Jensen (July 22) and Nurse John (July 24).
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to hahaha.com.
by Stuart Nulman
Stuart Nulman was born and raised in Montreal. He his journalism career in 1980 as an entertainment reporter/reviewer for the Vanier College student newspaper. Over 45 years later he is semi-retired, but still writes book reviews, cover the Montreal summer festival scene, conduct celebrity interviews and does travel pieces for a number of platforms, such as the Montreal Times, BestStory.ca (a long form journalism website), and his blog Stuart Nulman’s Grapevine. As well, since 2009, he does a book review segment called “Book Banter”, which is heard twice a month on The Stuph File Program with Peter Anthony Holder podcast.
all images provided by Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca
