From a dozen shows to a citywide lineup
This year's festival brings 200 comedians to venues including Carnegie Hall, the Beacon Theatre and Madison Square Garden, WABC reported. Along with stand-up, the program offers improv, sketch comedy and live podcast recordings. Dane Cook, Jordan Klepper, Ms. Pat and Matt Rogers are also scheduled to appear.
Caroline Hirsch, who founded the festival and the former Carolines on Broadway comedy club, started the event in 2004 with a dozen stand-up shows spread over five days, according to the Arlo SoHo blog. The 2026 festival runs for 10 days.
Hirsch told WABC that audiences continue to seek the shared experience of live comedy. "What people want today is the live event - they want to share that space with somebody else - they want to be in the same room with people that want to laugh together," she said.
"I'm always excited. Comedy is all about why we laugh -- it's community -- so what better than to bring all the comedy community of NYC together," Hirsch said.
Dates at the Garden, Beacon and other venues
Chappelle's scheduled appearances at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 6 and 7 open the festival, according to the Arlo SoHo blog.
At The Town Hall, Joanne McNally is scheduled for Nov. 7, followed by a joint appearance by Sarah Sherman and Patti Harrison on Nov. 8. The Beacon Theatre's schedule includes Marc Maron's "Yammering Into the Void" tour on Nov. 8, Jordan Jensen on Nov. 12 and Ilana Glazer on Nov. 13.
The Nov. 13 lineup also includes Dropout Improv at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Stand Up for Heroes marks 20 years
The festival's veterans benefit, Stand Up for Heroes, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. Produced by the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the New York Comedy Festival, the show is scheduled for 8 p.m. at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, according to the festival's official site.
Josh Johnson, Hasan Minhaj and Jon Stewart are scheduled to deliver headline comedy sets. The musical lineup features Bruce Springsteen, The Resilient and Alex Warren.
Hirsch said the benefit raises money for the Bob Woodruff Foundation to support veterans. According to the festival, Stand Up for Heroes has raised $117 million for veterans, military families and caregivers since its first show in 2007.
Bob Woodruff described the evening as both a respite and a show of support. "This is like our night of escape - to get out there and do something amazing - an expression of our support for the veterans," he said.
