5th Annual Santa Barbara Comedy Laugh Festival

About this event

SANTA BARBARA, CA — November 1, 2026 — Santa Barbara has its beaches, mountains, acclaimed dining, wine country and unforgettable sunsets. After six years of year-round stand-up comedy, the American Riviera now has something fantastic worth celebrating: an hilarious stand-up comedy scene destination.

The 5th Annual Santa Barbara Comedy Laugh Festival takes the stage November 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2026, at Speakeasy Comedy Bar, 409 State Street, in downtown Santa Barbara. Produced by comedian, author and festival founder Luis Moro and the Santa Barbara Comedy Club community; this four-night celebration unites nationally recognized talent, emerging performers, local favorites and comedy producers from Oxnard and Ventura to Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley.

FROM A DREAM OF LAUGHTER TO A YEAR-ROUND DESTINATION What began as a vision for bringing people together through laughter has grown into a year-round entertainment tradition. Inspired by a special comedy tribute honoring Carol Burnett and benefiting the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Moro envisioned a comedy festival that could entertain audiences while celebrating the people and organizations that make Santa Barbara special.

Over the past six years, the Santa Barbara Comedy Club has produced hundreds of stand-up shows and developed recurring weekly entertainment at venues including The Red Piano, Java Station, and Anchor Rose at the Santa Barbara Harbor. These intimate stages have welcomed national touring performers, rising comedians, professional entertainers and audiences from around the world.

Now, the festival celebrates more than its fifth annual edition. It celebrates Santa Barbara’s evolution into a place where visitors and locals can experience live stand-up comedy throughout the year—and where performers can discover an audience, sharpen their craft and build lasting connections. Recognizing community stakeholders and opening doors for talented comedians remain at the center of the festival’s mission.

The 2026 festival lineup moves from a comedy legend’s return to an all-female breakthrough showcase, a night of clean comedy and a Central Coast producers’ grand finale.

FRI, NOV 6 | CRAIG SHOEMAKER: THE LEGEND RETURNS! Craig Shoemaker • Chris OConnor Two-time Emmy Award winner and Lovemaster creator Craig Shoemaker returns to help open the festival, joined by Santa Barbara regular Chris OConnor, host of the monthly HR Comedy Rebels show.

SAT, NOV 7 | THE FUTURE OF FUNNY IS FEMALE! MC Jessica Winther • Rosa De La Mora • Celia Hervas • Anna Mae Gordon • Sasha Ottesen An all-female breakthrough stand-up showcase spotlighting fresh voices, original comedy and the next generation of live performers.

FRI, NOV 13 | GOOD CLEAN FUN. SERIOUSLY BIG LAUGHS! MC Mike Shea • Mark Watson • Hannah Renee • Seth Lawrence Clean comedy, clever storytelling and sharp observations from a lineup built to bring audiences together through laughter.

SAT, NOV 14 | THE CENTRAL COAST COMEDY CONNECTION! MC Luis Moro • Denise Carter • Andres Fernandes • Jake Rhodes • Anna Vocino & Loren Tarquinio The grand finale celebrates the performers and producers cultivating live comedy across the Central Coast.

VISIT STATE STREET. FOLLOW THE LOVE. ENJOY THE LAUGHS. Make a weekend of it. Explore Santa Barbara’s beaches, mountains and harbor, dine and enjoy the nightlife on historic State Street, then cap the night with up-close stand-up comedy. From date nights and group outings to holiday-season getaways, the Laugh Festival offers four reasons to experience Santa Barbara at its funniest.

ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA COMEDY LAUGH FESTIVAL Founded by comedian and author Luis Moro, the Santa Barbara Comedy Laugh Festival celebrates laughter as a way to entertain, connect and strengthen communities. Alongside Santa Barbara Comedy Club and regional producers, the festival promotes year-round live comedy, stages for established and emerging artists, and the community stakeholders and nonprofits that help Santa Barbara thrive. Peace. Love. And Lots of Laughs.

Note: Free 75-minute city parking half a block from the venue. Parents, ages 15+, are welcomed; use your personal judgment. We do not discriminate on comedy points of view. No refunds for jokes you don’t like. First come, first seated; no refunds for standing room only shows apply. Comedy line-up subject to change.

From Santa Barbara Comedy Laugh Festival, LLC