Everyone wants to get more stage time, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to submit and when and why. Here are some major comedy festivals and all their submission dates. If you know of any others, please let us know!
-September ’14-
KANSAS CITY IMPROV FESTIVAL, Kansas City, MO
September 5th – 13th, 2014
Submission Deadline:2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
KC Improv Co. hosts this annual tribute to the comedic arts with five nights of fun featuring a diverse array of talent from across the nation.
BOSTON COMEDY ARTS FESTIVAL, Boston, MA
September 10th – 14th,
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
Comedy is an art form and Boston’s funny fest highlights improv, sketch, and stand-up, proving that the stage is and exciting and unpredictable canvas for artistic expression.
SAN FRANCISCO IMPROV FESTIVAL, San Francisco, CA
September 10th – 20th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
The San Francisco Improv Festival celebrates the art of improvisational theater by presenting work by local and out-of-town performance ensembles, producing workshops and master classes from the most innovative minds in the art form, and educating the public about all aspects of improvised theatrical performance.
SACRAMENTO COMEDY FESTIVAL, Sacramento, CA
September 12th – 21st, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
The Sacramento Comedy Festival is an 8 day event featuring improv groups, sketch comedy shows, live podcast recordings, national stand-up comedians, and a stand-up comedy competition.
RED ROCKS IMPROV FESTIVAL, Cedar City, UT
September 18th – 20th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
When it comes to scenery, nothing can compare to the natural beauty of Cedar City. And, when it comes to big city comedy in an eclectic, small town, nothing can compare to the Red Rocks Improv Festival.
DISTRICT IMPROV FESTIVAL, Washington, D.C.
September 24th – 27th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
2014 will see the second year of this exciting young event in the U.S. capitol that puts an emphasis on talented long-form improvisers from across the nation.
IMPROVAGANZA! HAWAII FESTIVAL OF IMPROV, Honolulu, HI
September 24th – 28th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
Improvaganza! is Hawaii’s only international comedy festival. Now running for 9 straight years, the fest continues to cultivate the state’s improv community by showcasing local and mainland improvisers while providing opportunities for them to perform and network.
-October ’14-
BENTZEN BALL, Washington, D.C.
October 1st – 5th, 2014
Submission Deadline: N/A
The 2014 Bentzen Ball is again curated by Tig Notaro and will feature some of her big-name stand-up friends like Jeff Garlin and Kyle Kinane. The Ball hopes to bring the laughs again this year, with top-tier stand-up and improv talent.
BELLWETHER IMPROV FESTIVAL, Columbus, OH
October 3rd – 4th, 2014
Submission Deadline: TBA
Since its inception in 2010, Bellwether has been a major player in the college improv scene. Taking place at Ohio State University’s campus, the event showcases college troupes from across the country and features top-tier, professional improv talent.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL IMPROV FESTIVAL, Vancouver, Canada
October 6th – 11th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
For over a decade, VIIF has been bringing the world’s best improvisers to Vancouver for a week of shows and workshops in the name of bettering the improvisational theater community, both locally and internationally.
GREEN BAY IMPROV FESTIVAL, Green Bay, WI
October 17th – 25th, 2014
Submission Deadline: TBA
Too many laughs for just a few days, the GBIF take place every weekend throughout the month of October and features laughs from Wisconsin and beyond.
COMPASS IMPROV FESTIVAL, St. Louis, MO
October 22nd – 25th, 2014
Submission Deadline: September 30th, 2014
This young festival is looking to put the St. Louis comedy scene on the map. Compass Improv Fest was started in 2012 by a dedicated group of improvisers who are hoping to further expand their festival’s reach going into its third year.
DENVER IMPROV FESTIVAL, Denver, CO
October 23rd – 26th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
The Denver Improv Festival is entering another amazing year, featuring some of the best improv groups and performers from around the country.
GHOSTFEST, Phoenix, AZ
October 24th – 26th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
GhostFest is put on by The Torch Theatre in Phoenix in anticipation of Halloween, but the focus (as always) is on comedy & laughs, with a packed weekend of sketches and improv. All proceeds benefit the city’s long-running Phoenix Improv Festival.
-November ’14-
PHILADELPHIA IMPROV FESTIVAL, Philadelphia, PA
November 4th – 8th, 2014
Submission Deadline: 2014 deadline has passed; 2015 dates TBA
Philly’s Improv Festival is one of the highlights of the city’s annual Comedy Month. Comedy of all shapes and sizes will once again descend upon the city this November.
HELL YES FEST!, New Orleans, LA
November 12th – 16th, 2014
Submission Deadline: TBA
Hell Yes Fest! is back again this year to unite a merry band of improvisers and comedians in the heart of New Orleans. Last year, the event took over 7 different venues across the city and, in 2014, Hell Yes! looks to top itself once again.
IMPROV CUP, Fullerton, CA
November 2014 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Improv Cup of Orange County puts a unique spin on the improv festival by randomly assigning improvisers to teams. The teams then go head-to-head, tournament style, in front of a panel of judges. By the end of the weekend, the team best able to work together and entertain the audience is crowned the champion.
-December ’14-
EAU CLAIRE IMPROV FESTIVAL, Eau Claire, WI
December 2014 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
This young and budding festival is in the heart of the beautiful Chippewa Valley and features an eclectic mix of improv teams from all over the Midwest.
-January ’15-
CHICAGO SKETCH COMEDY FESTIVAL, Chicago, IL
January 8th – 18th, 2015
Submission Deadline: October 15th, 2015
What started in 2002 as a fun way to fill a 7-week theater rental commitment, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has blossomed into one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. Today, it is the nation’s largest sketch comedy festival with more than 1,000 performers over the course of two weekends.
CHARLESTON COMEDY FESTIVAL, Charleston, SC
January 14th -17th, 2015
Submission Deadline: TBA
The city of Charleston kicks off every new year with its premiere comedy festival, featuring sketch groups and stand-ups from across the country. The multi-venue event celebrates it’s 12th year in 2015.
SF SKETCHFEST, San Francisco, CA
January 22nd – February 8th, 2015
Submission Deadline: November 15th, 2014
Also known as The San Francisco Comedy Festival, this Bay Area event has garnered much critical acclaim since its inception in 2001. Certainly one of the country’s largest comedy festivals, SF Skecthfest attracts huge audiences and some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
IMPROV WINS CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL, Austin, TX
January 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
This one-of-a-kind festival takes the traditional improv fest model and flips it, so that the focus is on workshops and lectures from professionals with featured shows. Talent from all over the US flock to this event in the heart of Texas.
-February ’15-
NC COMEDY ARTS FESTIVAL, Carrboro, NC
February 3rd – 15th, 2015
Submission Deadline: October 17th, 2014
NNCAF started in 2001 as a small, college invitational to introduce Chicago-style improv to a Southern audience. Since then, the fest has seen massive growth and now holds claim to being the largest comedy festival in the South.
GAINESVILLE IMPROV FESTIVAL, Gainesville, FL
February 18th – 21st, 2015
Submission Deadline: TBA
Gainesville showcases the best improv troupes and sketch groups in the state of Florida in addition to other noted and acclaimed acts from Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The 2015 Gainesville Improv Festival is set to continue the rich tradition created at the inaugural festival in 2003.
SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF IMPROV THEATER, Seattle,WA
February 18th- 22nd, 2015
Submission Deadline: TBA
SFIT is an annual five-day festival of improvisational theater and comedy in Seattle. Groups from all over North America (and, one time, Paris!) descend upon the city to perform at two great venues.
SAN DIEGO IMPROV FESTIVAL, San Diego, CA
February 19th -22nd, 2015
Submission Deadline: December 1st, 2014
Finest City Improv debuted the SDIF in early 2014 to much fanfare. The group hopes to continue sharing the love in San Diego with another festival set right around Valentine’s Day.
STEELSTACKS IMPROV COMEDY FESTIVAL, Bethlehem, PA
February 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
For its debut year, SteelStacks nabbed some top-tier talent, including Upright Citizen’s Brigade’s TourCo. 2015 will see the anticipated return of the festival, a newly minted annual event.
BLACK BOX COMEDY FESTIVAL, Atlanta, GA
February 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Black Box recently celebrated its 10th birthday and has proven to only get better with age. In 2015, the fest looks to top itself again with its largest number of improv troupes and stand-up comedians ever.
-March ’15-
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, Atlanta, GA
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Spontaneous Combustion Festival of Improv Comedy returns to Atlanta this year with SPONCOM7, with laughter brought to you by some of the country’s best up-and-coming improv troupes.
CHICAGO NERD COMEDY FESTIVAL, Chicago, IL
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival celebrates all that is the Chicago nerd comedy scene. From stand up to improv, nerds will unite for one glorious weekend in Chicago to laugh, pay homage, and perhaps worship their favorite genres of nerdness.
DALLAS COMEDY FESTIVAL, Dallas, TX
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Dallas Comedy Festival is an annual celebration of improv, sketch, stand up and short film comedy. Now in itʼs fifth year, the event continues to recruit top notch comedy acts from all over the United States for one week packed full of shows, workshops, and parties.
NYC IMPROV FESTIVAL, New York City, NY
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
This festival’s Big Apple location allows it to bring in improv troupes from the US, Canada, and Europe. Now heading into its 4th year, NYC Improv Fest has expanded to 5 days, promising to feature even more of the world’s funniest performers.
MILKY WAY IMPROV FESTIVAL, Roseville, CA
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Milky Way returns for a third year in March, bringing improv troupes from all over to the Sacramento area for 3 days of comedy.
CHICAGO IMPROV FESTIVAL, Chicago, IL
March, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Live from the birthplace of modern improv, CIF returns for its 18th year of laughs, showcasing every genre from long-form to musical to experimental to improv on film and video.
-April ’15-
OC IMPROV FESTIVAL, Fullerton, CA
April 23rd – 25th, 2015
Submission Deadline: TBA
The festival returns for its third year with two goals in mind: showing attendees that laughs CAN be found behind the infamous “Orange Curtain” and exposing talented local and national performers to brand new audiences.
ALASKA STATE IMPROV FESTIVAL, Juneau, AK
April 23rd – 25th, 2015
Submission Deadline: October 1st, 2014
Cheekily abbreviated to “AS IF!,” the festival will brins laughs from all over the country to Alaska’s capitol for its third year.
HARTFORD IMPROV FESTIVAL, Hartford, CT
April, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Helping to establish Hartford as one of New England’s premiere comedy destinations, this three-day festival debuts this year with a flurry of talent, including comedy companies from across the nation, improv mixers, and workshops.
BONFIRE FESTIVAL, Edmonton, Canada
April, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Every year, Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre sends it’s performers to a number of international improv festivals. The 4th Annual Bonfire Festival is the theatre’s way of sharing with the world its past year of great experiences with long-form improv.
IMPROVISED PLAY FESTIVAL, Austin, TX
April, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Hideout Theatre of Austin assembles this annual, weekend-long fest exclusively featuring one act plays. The event features local and touring artists in a variety of genres from film noir to Shakespeare to Star Trek.
PHOENIX IMPROV FESTIVAL, Phoenix, AZ
April, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
One of the nation’s longest-running improv festivals, PIF has helped establish Phoenix as a burgeoning metropolis for comedy in the West. In 2015, the festival will be celebrating its 14th year.
HOUSTON IMPROV FESTIVAL, Houston, TX
April, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
This year’s festival promises 15 unique improvised acts, workshops, and the screening of a film produced in collaboration with some highly talented improvisers.
-May ’15-
BRIDGETOWN COMEDY FESTIVAL, Portland, OR
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Bridgetown Comedy Festival celebrates innovative comedy from around the nation with a healthy helping of Portland quirk. The 8th year of the fest promises sketch, improv, podcasts, films, panel discussions, music, and interactive audience games.
CHARM CITY COMEDY FESTIVAL, Baltimore, MD
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Baltimore cranks up the charm with the second annual Charm City Comedy Festival featuring performances and workshops from some of the East Coast’s top improv talent.
WOMEN IN COMEDY FESTIVAL, Boston, MA
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Women in Comedy Festival will return to Boston for its 7th year. The fest hopes to educate, entertain, and show of some of the best talent in the country.
TRILL COMEDY FESTIVAL, Houston, TX
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
TRILL is Houston’s only comprehensive comedy festival featuring sketch, stand-up, performance art, musical comedy, and, of course, improv.
PICCOLO FRINGE FESTIVAL, Charleston, SC
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Piccolo Fringe Festival is a comedy-focused offshoot of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, a highly regarded and attended cultural event in downtown Charleston.
OMAHA IMPROV FESTIVAL, Omaha, NE
May, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
For their 3rd annual improv festival, Omaha is stepping it up with a bigger, brand-new location and two times the coaches, performers, and shows.
-June ’15-
LA IMPROV COMEDY FESTIVAL, Los Angeles, CA
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
iO West has been bringing this can’t-miss festival to La-La-Land since 2002. The event helps kicks off summer with big crowds, big names, and big laughs, courtesy of some of the most talented people in the industry.
DUOFEST, Philadelphia, PA
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
A special festival celebrating the art of comedic partnership, Duofest puts a unique spin on comedy festivals by being the only one to expressly feature improv groups of 2.
CHICAGO WOMEN’S FUNNY FESTIVAL, Chicago, IL
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
CWCF is the sister of The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival that celebrates the ladies and provides a unique venue for anything from sketches and stand-up to musical comedy and burlesque shows.
SNUBFEST, Chicago, IL
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Snubfest is a festival unlike any you’ve ever seen before! – and that’s because its lineup exclusively features performers who were rejected by other comedy festivals. Since 2006 Snubfest has connected performers to industry professionals in Stand Up, Storytelling, Sketch Comedy, and Solo Performances.
THE 26TH ANNUAL COMEDY FESTIVAL, Chicago, IL
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The popular satirical publication, The Onion, & it’s sister-site, the A.V. Club, present their second ever comedy festival! This wryly named fest will bring some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy to Chicago. Last year’s lineup features Marc Maron, Kyle Kinane, Tig Notaro, and a live version of the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast.
EDMONTON’S IMPROVAGANZA, Edmonton, Canada
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Improvoganza has the distinction of being Canada’ largest improv festival. The week-and-a-half long event features international acts, group showcases (improv, sketch), and a Theatresports tournament that runs throughout.
TWIN CITIES IMPROV FESTIVAL, Minneapolis, MN
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Twin Cities Improv Festival is now in its tenth year, produced in partnership between Five Man Job and HUGE Improv Theater.
DEL CLOSE MARATHON, New York City, NY
June, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Named after the influential Chicago improv director and teacher, this festival pays tribute to the legend with 52 straight hours of improv. The event, hosted by the UCB Theatre, will be celebrating its 18th year.
-July ’15-
COACHELLA IMPROV/COMEDY FESTIVAL, Indio, CA
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Located just a few miles from where the famous music festival takes place, the Improv/Comedy Festival is Indio’s other claim to fame. The event honors luminaries in the industry, offers educational courses, and, of course, features live comedy of all shapes and sizes.
SARASOTA IMPROV FESTIVAL, Sarasota, FL
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
What could be better than comedy on the coast? Acts from all over the country will perform on FST stages to celebrate the event’s sixth year. The festival will also feature Improv workshops taught by the professional improvisers attending the festival. This is a must-see event for anyone with a funny bone!
MEGAPHONE MARATHONS 5, Austin, TX
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Ready, Set, Go! This year’s 6th annual Megaphone Marathon kicks of in Austin, TX., where it will highlight rising improv talent from across the nation. Austin, however, is just the beginning…
BIG-LITTLE COMEDY FEST, Cleveland, OH
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Originally founded in Grand Rapids, MI in 2010, Big-Little Comedy Festival made the move to Cleveland in the fall of 2013.
MEGAPHONE MARATHONS 5, New Orleans, LA
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
The Megaphone Marathons can’t be contained by just one week or one city! The second and final leg of the multi-city event wraps things up in historic New Orleans.
BALTIMORE IMPROV FESTIVAL, Baltimore, MD
July, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Baltimore’s premiere comedy festival returns this summer for another year of magic, laughter, and unscripted fun. This year marks Baltimore Improv Group’s second fest at their recently renovated home theater.
-August ’15-
IMPROV FESTIVAL OKLAHOMA, Oklahoma City, OK
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
In 2015 the festival will celebrate its 7th year with hilarious talent from the home state and across the country.
DETROIT IMPROV FESTIVAL, Ferndale, MI
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
DIF is a well-loved and rapidly expanding festival that features improv, live sketch comedy, and a number of workshops. Though its namesake is Detroit, the majority of the festival takes place in Ferndale, a charming suburb of the city.
MILWAUKEE COMEDY FESTIVAL, Milwaukee, WI
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Wisconsin’s largest comedy festival is back this August for its 10th year.The event features improv, stand-up comedians, funny videos, workshops, and more.
STUMPTOWN IMPROV FESTIVAL, Portland, OR
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Stumptown made its much-anticipated debut in 2014, bringing laughter to the masses of Portland. The city’s improv scene has seen massive growth recently and the new fest hopes to capitalize on this, featuring both local and national troupes and performers.
PITTSBURGH COMEDY FESTIVAL, Pittsburgh, PA
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Pittsburgh is set to make a huge splash on the scene this summer with the return of it’s first-ever comedy festival. What can you expect from the fest? 6 whole days of improv, stand-up, open-mics, workshops, panel discussions, and more from some of the best performers around.
BROOKLYN COMEDY FESTIVAL, Brooklyn, NY
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Improv invades Brooklyn again this August for its third annual comedy festival, featuring the funniest people for across the nation. Brooklyn goes hard, so get ready for another amazing week of laughs.
IMPROVAPALOOZA, Washington, D.C.
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Bringing the weird & wonderful to the District of Columbia, Improvapalooza is an exciting 6-day event that highlights experimental improv. Past shows have included everything from an improvised episode of Downton Abbey to a collection of real-life couples improvising together.
A JANGLEHEART CIRCUS, Chicago, IL
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
Chicago is known for it’s wealth of talented improv and sketch performers, so A Jangleheart Circus takes advantage of its nearby resources and highlights some of the city’s most exciting up-and-comers. The Circus will be back for it’s third year in 2015.
OUT OF BOUNDS COMEDY FESTIVAL, Austin, TX
August, 2015 (Dates TBA)
Submission Deadline: TBA
OOB is a seven-day live performance festival that showcases some the best in improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy from all over the country and across the globe. 2015 marks the much-anticipated event’s 14th birthday.
