Art House Productions Opens Submissions For The 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival Stand-Up Competition
Now in its 7th year, the Jersey City Comedy Festival has become one of the region's most exciting comedy events.
By: A.A. Cristi Dec. 16, 2025
Art House Productions (Executive Artistic Director Meredith Burns and Jersey City Comedy Festival Co-Producer Rich Kiamco) 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 open December 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Interested comedians can apply and submit their stand-up reel at jerseycitycomedyfestival.com.
Past Headliners
- 2018: Gilbert Gottfried
- 2019: Jessica Kirson and Kevin Farley
- 2020: The Roast of Harry Potter
- 2021–2022: Pandemic Hiatus
- 2023: Chris Gethard, Marina Franklin, and Rex Navarrete
- 2024: Rachel Feinstein and Kyle Gordon
- 2025: Raanan Hershberg and Kasaun Wilso
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 (7:00 PM – 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 (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM).
New This Year
- 2 wildcard comics will be selected to perform in the Best of the Fest finale.
- All finalists receive a $100 stipend.
New Jersey Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
THE LITTLE MERMAID (HOWELL PAL THEATRE COMPANY)
3.2% of votes
2.
HAIR (Vanguard Theater Company)
2.9% of votes
3.
GREASE (Plays-in-the-Park)
2.8% of votes
Videos