(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.
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