Our Guide to the Moontower Comedy Festival ‘26
Because laughter hits different when you’re with your people.
Austin, we know y’all tapped into the music and the food, but let’s not sleep on comedy. The Moontower Comedy Festival is back taking over the city, and if you’ve never experienced it before, just know: this is one of the largest comedy festivals in North America.
As an official media partner, we wanted to do this the WYAT?! way: curated, intentional, and rooted in community. So instead of overwhelming you with everything happening, we’re bringing you some of our top picks.
Whether you’re outside for the full two weeks or just popping out for a night or two, here’s how to do Moontower right.
🎤 The Gist (First-Timer Friendly)
Moontower runs April 7–19 and is split into two vibes:
Headliner Shows (April 7–19) 👉🏾 Big names, iconic venues, individual tickets
Club Series (April 15–19) 👉🏾 The real playground
The Club Series is where things get interesting with 80+ shows across multiple walkable venues downtown. Think rapid-fire sets, podcasts, crowd work, and discovering your new favorite comedian all in one night.
If you’re trying to do this properly, get the badge. Trust.
🔥 WYAT?! Top Picks: Headliners
These are the ones you don’t want to miss:
Leslie Jones – Pure energy. A whole experience. You’re not just watching—you’re in it.
Roy Wood Jr. – Smart, sharp, and one of the best storytellers doing it right now.
Brad Williams – Fan favorite energy every time.
Cristela Alonzo – Demand was so real they added a third show. Enough said.
🎭 WYAT?! Top Picks: Club Series (Don’t Sleep Here)
This is where the culture lives. The underground. The “I saw them before they blew up” moments.
Aurie Styla – London in the building. Big personality, bigger laughs.
Timmy No Brakes – Pure chaos. Enter at your own risk.
MESS Podcast (Sydnee Washington & Marie Faustin) – The girlies are outside.
Hassan Phills – Crowd work king. Every set is different.
New York’s Finest – Quick-fire comedy from the wildest in the game.
The Hit List – Rapid sets, no misses.
Jay Jurden – Smart, witty, and consistently funny.
Katherine Blanford – Southern charm meets sharp humor.
🌙 Night Moves
Don’t leave after the shows, that’s rookie behavior.
Every night ends with afterparties featuring light bites and featured drinks, and the Closing Night Party at Antone’s on April 18th is the one. DJ, vibes, and complimentary bites to close it out right.
🍿 WYAT?! Tips to Do It Right
Pick 1–2 anchor shows, then freestyle the rest
Stay in the downtown loop (everything’s walkable)
Hit the Club Series, that’s where you’ll discover your new favorites
Don’t overplan. Comedy is better when you wander
And most importantly…laugh with your people
Tap In
Whether you’re pulling up solo, on a date, or with the group chat, this is your sign to add comedy to your Austin experience.
👉🏾 Check out the full Moontower schedule + grab your tickets/badge
👉🏾 Follow along as we highlight more picks throughout the fest
