NYLaughs Festival 2026 | Comedy In The Square

The Second Annual NYLaughs Festival 2026 returns June 4–7, 2026, bringing stand-up comedy across Lower Manhattan and Union Square’s Northside Plaza with expanded programming, new venues, surprise moments, and enough punchlines to temporarily heal at least three New Yorkers from their seasonal emotional-support rage.

Presented by comedy nonprofit NYLaughs in collaboration with The Stand Restaurant & Comedy Club and Union Square Partnership, the four-day festival celebrates the city the way New Yorkers actually experience it: chaotic, creative, crowded, alive, and somehow deeply connected underneath all the yelling.

And the best part? The kickoff event is completely free. A concept currently polling extremely well with New Yorkers.

The festival opens Thursday, June 4, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Union Square with Comedy in the Square, a massive outdoor comedy event featuring Chris Turner, Mark Normand, Matthew Broussard, Emma Willmann, Caitlin Peluffo, and Usama Siddiquee. Matt Richards will host.

Additional festival programming includes ticketed performances from Jeff Ross, Dave Attell, Matteo Lane, Bret Ernst, Joey Dardano, Steve Rannazzisi, Paul Virzi, and more to be announced. Expect full sets, surprise drop-ins, and the kind of energy only New York City can deliver.

Programming continues throughout the weekend with performances ranging from free public events to ticketed headliner shows across participating venues. Ticket prices range from free to $58 depending on the event.

Additional lineup announcements and programming details will be released soon.

Reservations are required via the following link: nylaughsfest.com. Admission is free to the kickoff event, and seating is first-come, first-served. The event will also feature closed captioning support provided in part through funding from the New York State Council on the Arts and TDF TAP Plus.

Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 6:00–9:00 PM
Location: Union Square
Admission: Free and open to the public.

Reservations required - RSVP link via Eventbrite; seating is first-come, first-served.

Lineup subject to change. For updates, follow @nylaughsfest or call 917-727-5233.

Founded in Tompkins Square Park over a decade ago with little more than a microphone, a handmade sign, and an unreasonable amount of belief in the power of punchlines to make a better NYC, NYLaughs has grown into NYC’s leading nonprofit dedicated to free public comedy programming and the first comedy nonprofit to receive more than $120,000 in New York City Council support for comedy initiatives.

Free public programming associated with the festival, including Comedy in the Square and other community-focused outdoor events produced by NYLaughs, is supported in part by public funding and institutional partners that recognize the cultural and civic value of accessible live comedy programming in New York City.

Support for NYLaughs’ public programming has been provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, including discretionary and Speaker’s Award funding. Additional support has been provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Theatre Development Fund, as well as the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

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