Questions, answered · By place
What comedy festivals are in San Francisco and the Bay Area?
The short answer
Five comedy festivals in San Francisco and the Bay Area have dates ahead on the Guide. The next to open is the Bay Area Musical Improv Festival, 22–25 October 2026, in Oakland, California. On now: the Oakland Comedy Festival (until 17 October 2026) and the Diablo Improv Festival (until 18 October 2026). The furthest ahead is the PlayGround Comedy Festival (12 March – 4 April 2027). Three put on stand-up, four improv, two sketch.
Coming up in the Bay Area, soonest first
- Oakland Comedy Festival · 15–17 October 2026 · Oakland, CA · Stand-up
- Diablo Improv Festival · 16–18 October 2026 · Walnut Creek, California · Improv
- Bay Area Musical Improv Festival · 22–25 October 2026 · Oakland, California · Improv
- SF Sketchfest · 14–31 January 2027 · San Francisco, CA · Stand-up, Improv, Sketch
- PlayGround Comedy Festival · 12 March – 4 April 2027 · San Francisco, CA · Stand-up, Improv, Sketch
With a whole guide
SF Sketchfest has a full guide on this site: the festival, the comedians, the city around it, the way home after a late show, where to stay and a trip budget.
Sources
- Oakland Comedy Festival: oaklandcf.com ↗
- Diablo Improv Festival: diabloimprovfestival.org ↗
- Bay Area Musical Improv Festival: bayareamusicalimprov.com ↗
- SF Sketchfest: sfsketchfest.com ↗
- PlayGround Comedy Festival: playground-sf.org ↗
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Facts as of 16 October 2026. Festivals change their plans: confirm on the festival's own site before you book. Every question