Side Splitter Comedy Festival is back in 2026, and Festival Director Ronan Freeburn isn’t holding back. After marking the event’s 10th anniversary last year, the 11th edition brings what he calls “probably our strongest lineup yet” to Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill. You can watch eight acclaimed comedians over two massive weekends and a closing Gala that regularly sells out before the night arrives.
Presented by the City of Cockburn and produced by WA Comedy, this year’s program leads with Pete Helliar and Luke Heggie. Geraldine Hickey, Sam Taunton, Dilruk Jayasinha, Kirsty Webeck, and Ivan Aristeguieta join them, all bringing nationally toured solo shows to audiences in Perth’s south.
What’s on and when
Opening night (Friday 23 October) kicks off with Ivan Aristeguieta’s Ready to Mambo at 7 PM, followed by Kirsty Webeck’s Lost for Words at 8:30 PM. Saturday 24 October features Dilruk Jayasinha (Gratitude Guy, 6 PM) and Sam Taunton (This Must Be the Place, 8 PM).
Weekend two opens on Friday 30 October with Geraldine Hickey (Live!, 7 PM) and Luke Heggie (I Won’t Say It Again, 8:30 PM). The festival closes on Saturday 31 October with Pete Helliar’s An International Kerfuffle at 7 PM, before The Gala Spectacular — eight comedians, one host, the best material of the festival — runs from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. All shows include Auslan interpretation by Paula Norman.
Beyond the stage, Side Splitter’s pop-up garden bar and food truck hub opens at 6 PM each night, giving audiences a proper reason to arrive early and linger after the laughs.
Tickets are on sale now at sidesplitter.com.au, with Early Bird pricing available until 9 PM on Wednesday, 30 September. Group discounts apply, and given the festival’s track record, booking sooner rather than later is a safe bet. Memorial Hall at 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, offers free parking and Transperth bus access.
