The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is continuing to chart its own course, bringing North America’s premier comedy event to five locations across Canada in 2026.
The comedy landscape is constantly evolving, and we’re here for it. In fact, now seems like a better time than ever for a good laugh.
In 2026, those yuks will echo all across the country, courtesy of viral comedian Matt Rife, who will headline the festival.
Rife will perform in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Calgary, and Vancouver. He’ll be joined by comedian, actor, and television host Nikki Glaser, who will also headline the event in Halifax.
What to expect
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is entering its sixth annual year. In 2025, the popular event featured big names in comedy like Adam Ray as Dr. Phil LIVE! and newly minted SNL castmate Kam Patterson, who performed in tight-knit locations across the country.
The festival has cemented its reputation as a disruptor in the live entertainment space, reimagining how comedy is experienced through an open-air, multi-city format.
No matter your taste in comedy, the 2026 Great Outdoors Comedy Festival will be packed with laughs. As previously mentioned, Nikki Glaser will headline in Halifax, and more 2026 bookings are yet to be revealed.
It’s an opportunity to unite audiences through a shared love of stand-up and the connection it sparks, with plenty of jokes that’ll surely split sides.
Community-driven comedy
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival stands out from other similar comedy events in the way it builds community beyond the stage.
The Great Outdoors Community Fund is powered by attendees, boosting investments in local charities and organizations that reflect three core pillars: Arts and culture, mental health, and sustainability.
Since 2021, $550,000 in charitable donations have been made through the fund.
Each city stop sees dollars raised for meaningful initiatives that strengthen local creative industries and foster inclusion.
It’s just one of the ways the festival is helping to create a long-lasting impact in the comedy community, long after the curtains close.
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival experience is truly one of a kind, and with stops across the country in 2026, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Make a note of the dates that the festival will be touring through a Canadian city near you.
When: Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026
Where: Kinsmen Park
Cost: $200 for a weekend pass; single tickets TBA
When: Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026
Where: Assiniboine Park
Cost: $200 for a weekend pass; single tickets TBA
When: Thursday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026
Where: Garrison Grounds
Cost: $200 for a weekend pass; single tickets TBA
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30
Where: Prince’s Island Park
Cost: $200 for a weekend pass; single tickets TBA
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30
Where: Stanley Park
Cost: $200 for a weekend pass; single tickets TBA
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