City of Laughs Comedy Festival

The East Coast comedy scene gets a major boost this September with the launch of the 1st Annual City of Laughs Comedy Festival. Dedicated to elevating Canadian talent and supporting local stand-up comics, the multi-night festival brings four days of top-tier laughter to Downtown Dartmouth, culminating in a high-stakes competition final.

Festival Final Hosted by Comedy Icon Mary Walsh
The festival wraps up on Sunday, September 27th at the Sanctuary Arts Centre with the Festival Finale’, hosted by legendary Canadian comedian Mary Walsh. Six advancing comics selected from the first three nights of competition will hit the stage to compete, with Walsh personally presenting the inaugural Mary Walsh Comedy Award to the winner. The grand prize winner earns an opportunity to represent Canada and the East Coast on the international stage at the 2027 Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

Co-headlining the final showcase alongside Walsh is Canadian comedy veteran John Wing, bringing decades of experience from The Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent, and CBC’s The Debaters, John Wing will emcee an unforgettable night of stand-up. John Wing will also be presenting his « Canada I Miss You: Go East, Old Man » tour on Friday September 25th at the Sanctuary.