The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is returning to Calgary, bringing some of the biggest names in stand-up to the city for three days of laughs. The festival will transform Prince’s Island Park into an outdoor comedy stage with a lineup featuring many familiar names like Matt Rife, John Mulaney, Bob the Drag Queen, and plenty of other comedians taking the stage throughout the weekend.
So if laughing by the Bow River while soaking up the last moments of summer sounds like your kind of plan, this is the event to add to your August itinerary.
Now, let’s take a further look at who’s taking the stage, what you can expect and everything you need to know before you go.
What to expect at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival will take place at Prince’s Island Park. If you’ve never been to the park before, it’s a pretty gorgeous spot right in the heart of the city, surrounded by the Bow River, pathways, and plenty of green space.
And for three days, the park will be filled with live stand-up, with six shows taking place across the weekend. The lineup features some seriously recognizable names, and each day offers something a little different.
Friday will kick things off with Matt Rife, who is known for his viral crowd work and Netflix stand-up special. Saturday will shift gears, with Jeff Arcuri and Caitlin Peluffo taking the stage for an afternoon show, followed by Bill Burr, who will headline in the evening.
Sunday will wrap up the weekend with Matteo Lane, Tig Notaro, and Bob the Drag Queen on the afternoon lineup. John Mulaney will close out the festival that evening alongside Mike Birbiglia, Jordan Jensen, and Langston Kerman.
Tickets, timing and details
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival will run from Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 31, 2026, with an afternoon and evening show happening each day. You can grab tickets for individual shows or opt for a weekend pass if there’s more than one show you want to see.
The festival is 18+, so make sure you have government-issued photo ID with you when you arrive. There will also be alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase, plus food options if you get hungry.
Since you’ll be outside for the whole event, it’s worth coming prepared. A jacket will come in handy once the sun goes down, and sunscreen, sunglasses, and bug spray are great things to have during the day. You can also bring a camping chair or a blanket measuring up to 6 by 6 feet.
There are only so many warm summer nights left, so you might as well make a few of them count. So round up your pals, grab your tickets and spend a night laughing under the stars at the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival.
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: Times vary based on performance
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 693 Eau Claire Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $49
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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