originally published: 12/16/2025
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions invites comics to apply for the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival stand-up competition, taking place June 9–13, 2026. Now in its 7th year, the Jersey City Comedy Festival has become one of the region's most exciting comedy events, bringing together nationally recognized headliners, emerging talent, and enthusiastic audiences to the heart of Jersey City.
The festival celebrates stand-up comedy, promotes diversity and inclusion, and provides unique opportunities for networking and career growth.
Submissions for the stand-up competition opened on December 15, 2025. Interested comedians can apply and submit their stand-up reel at jerseycitycomedyfestival.com.
Past Headliners have included Gilbert Gottfried (2018), 2019: Jessica Kirson and Kevin Farley (2019), The Roast of Harry Potter (2020), Pandemic Hiatus (2021-2022), Chris Gethard, Marina Franklin, and Rex Navarrete (2023), Rachel Feinstein and Kyle Gordon (2024), and Raanan Hershberg and Kasaun Wilson (2025).
New this year: two wildcard comics will be selected to perform in the Best of the Fest finale and all finalists will receive at $100 stipend.
How to Submit:
* Submit your video and application to compete.
* Availability: June 11–13, 2026, in Jersey City, NJ.
* Out-of-region comics are encouraged to attend June 12–13; seeing other showcases is recommended for networking opportunities.
Video requirements:
* Entire single set, minimum of 5 minutes.
* Must be unedited, from the moment you walk on stage until you leave.
* Highlights, selected jokes, or “best-of” reels are not allowed.
Showcase Details
* Selected comedians perform 4 minutes on June 11 or 12 (7:00pm – 10:00 pm) for industry judges and live audiences.
* Two comics advance per night (1 Audience Pick + 1 Industry Pick) to perform 6 minutes in the Best of the Fest finale on Saturday, June 13 (8:00pm – 9:30pm).
Submission Deadlines & Fees
December 15–31, 2025 | Early Submission: $10
January 1–31, 2026 | General Submission: $20
February 1–28, 2026 | Late Submission: $30
March 1–31, 2026 | Burn the Light: $40
Jersey City Residents* Dec 16, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 | $10 (with proof of Jersey City residency) - Residents of NJ but not Jersey City are not eligible for the residency fee.
Venues
* Art House Productions: 345 Marin Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07302
* The Laugh Tour Comedy Club at Dorrian’s Red Hand: 555 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Both venues are wheelchair accessible and offer ASL interpretation and audio description upon request (2 weeks’ notice).
Art House Productions is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization advancing performing and visual arts in Jersey City. Through professional theater productions, visual art exhibitions, and community programs, Art House fosters creativity, inclusivity, and accessibility across all artistic disciplines.
Art House’s 2025 programming is made possible through the generous support of: An Anonymous American Foundation, Hudson County Cultural Affairs, City of Jersey City, Exchange Place Alliance, New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NEA partner), Genova Burns, HDSID, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Jersey City Health and Human Services, KRE, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Panepinto Properties, Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, RWJ Barnabas Health | Jersey City Medical Center, SILVERMAN, Super Buy Rite, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, NJ Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, and many dedicated donors and volunteers.
You can have your events spotlighted here, whenever someone reads an article about JERSEY CITY
click here for more information
EVENT PREVIEWS
Comedian Russell Peters to Return to NJPAC in May
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Russell Peters returns with an all-new world tour, entitled the Relax World Tour, making a stop in Newark, at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 8:00pm.
NJPAC presents comedian Majah Hype on May 30th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Majah Hype, internationally celebrated as the "Caribbean King of Comedy," at the Victoria Theater's Lizzie & Johnathan Tisch Stage on Saturday, May 30, 2026. He will be performing shows at 6:30pm and 9:00pm.
Nationally Recognized Comedian Adam Sank presents "Bad Dates: A One-Man Show About Many Men" in Cape May on June 6th
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The new East Lynne Theater Company celebrates Pride Month with a raucous one-night-only stand-up comedy show starring nationally recognized veteran comic Adam Sank in his award-winning show "Bad Dates: A One-Man Show About Many Men," on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME in Cape May. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents comedian Jeff Allen
(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents comedian Jeff Allen on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is part of his first "Final" Farewell Tour - the last tour until the next one.
Art House Productions presents the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions has announced the lineup for the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival, taking place June 9–13. From more than 300 submissions, 40 stand-up comics from across the U.S. have been selected to perform in the festival's stand-up competition.
Newark Culture Club to Host Shows for The 2026 North To Shore Festival
(NEWARK, NJ) -- North to Shore is a festival celebrating all the talent, diversity and creativity this great state has to offer. North to Shore will bring together over 100 venues for an over-the-top showcase of Jersey-wide excellence, aligned with former Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy's vision for a celebration worthy of the Garden State's legacy in the arts and innovation. Two shows from this year's festival will be held at Newark Culture Club!
NJPAC presents comedian Eric D'Alessandro on June 18th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Eric D'Alessandro, the viral comedy sensation, will return to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 8:00pm. This promises to be an evening filled with laughter, energy, and irresistible charm, as D’Alessandro brings his distinct comedic perspective to one of New Jersey’s premier venues.
Debonair Music Hall presents Kevin Farley on June 19th
(TEANECK, NJ) -- Debonair Music Hall presents comedian Kevin Farley on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7:00pm. Known for his bold delivery, sharp timing, and fearless physical comedy, Farley delivers a fast-paced show packed with relatable observations, larger-than-life storytelling, and crowd-driven moments that keep audiences laughing from start to finish.
bergenPAC presents Tracy Morgan on June 19th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents comedian Tracy Morgan on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tracy is one of the most well-respected comedians and actors in his field. He currently stars in the tv show CRUTCH.
bergenPAC presents comedian Tim Dillon on June 20th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents comedian Tim Dillon on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tim is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor known for his no-holds-barred humor and incisive social commentary.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
