IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp
WHAT: Recently dubbed “the funniest guy on the internet” by Wired, the Emmy-nominated writer, actor and NAACP Award winner serves as a rotating host and correspondent on “The Daily Show.” He has built a following by posting new stand-up online every week, generating more than 650 million views on YouTube. During this stand-up and live-music experience, Johnson invokes laughs and nostalgia through summer-camp shenanigans.
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WHEN: Dec. 19
WHERE: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando
INFO: drphillipscenter.org
YOUR SEASON PLANNER
Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.
BLUE BAMBOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The arts center, which primarily serves as a concert venue, is at 460 N. England Ave. in Winter Park. More information: bluebambooartcenter.com
NIELS SAYERS MAGIC COMEDY: Oct. 17. The venue branches out from its usual music with its first comedian.
CLERMONT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The arts center, which also hosts music and theatrical performances, is at 3700 U.S. 27 in Clermont. More information: clermontperformingarts.com
THE DISH RACK COMEDY SHOW: Sept. 18, 2026, and March 26 and May 14, 2027. The stand-up comedy showcase features a lineup of comics and is hosted by Gregory Metts.
LAUGHTER AFTER 50: Nov. 14. Comedian David Glickman combines comedy and music in a high-energy show that asks “What’s so funny about getting older?”
DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The arts center is at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: drphillipscenter.org
PAUL STRICKLAND: Sept. 9, Judson’s Live. Comedic storyteller, songwriter and Orlando Fringe favorite brings his heartfelt solo act.
GUARI B: Sept. 11, Pugh Theater. Social media star is known for her dark comedy, satire and quick-witted crowd work. For ages 13+.
DON LEMON & DL HUGHLEY: Sept. 12, Walt Disney Theater. Comedian Hughley joins journalist Lemon on stage for a conversation about social issues, pop culture, race and current events.
FORGOTTEN BROADWAY: Sep. 29, Judson’s Live. Improvisers use audience suggestions to shape the script and create show tunes on the spot.
ADRIÁN URIBE: Oct. 23, Steinmetz Hall. Mexican comedian, actor and television host brings his classic character comedy sketches to the stage.
DANIEL SLOSS: Oct. 30, Steinmetz Hall. Known for his dark humor and storytelling, Scottish comedian brings his show “Bitter” with special guest Kai Humphries.
GOLDEN GIRLS: Nov. 1, Steinmetz Hall. Played by actors in drag, the Miami roommates are up to new shenanigans.
PAT MCGANN: Nov. 7, Pugh Theater. Known for his family-life humor and crowd work, this father of three began his comedy career later in life.
BETH STELLING: Nov. 13, Pugh Theater. Stand-up comedian and writer is known for her wit and joke-heavy storytelling.
THE BALD AND BEAUTIFUL LIVE: Dec. 10, Walt Disney Theater. Drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo explore the “cultural boundaries of modern beauty” through interviews with guests. For ages 18+.
JOSH JOHNSON’S COMEDY BAND CAMP: Dec 19, Walt Disney Theater. The “Daily Show” rotating host and comedian brings the nostalgia of summer band camp, along with laughs and live music, to Orlando.
JOHN OLIVER: Dec 30, Walt Disney Theater. Host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” and actor brings his sharp wit to the stand-up stage with sharp observations, incisive humor and quick-fire delivery. For ages 10+.
FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB
The club is at Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive in Orlando. All shows are for ages 21+ unless otherwise noted. More information: orlando.funnybone.com
LIL DUVAL: Sept. 4-6. Comedian, actor and recording artist from Jacksonville rose to fame through MTV and BET shows.
ANGELO COLINA: Sept. 9. Venezuelan comedian returns to Florida after his first international tour for this Spanish-language show.
ZAR THE STAR: Sept. 10. New York-based stand-up comedian and content creator riffs on socio-politics, character sketches and identity.
TONY ROBERTS: Sept. 11-13. Comedian, actor and writer has appeared on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” BET’s “ComicView” and “It’s Showtime at the Apollo.”
JUAN DÁVILA: Sept. 15. This “unpredictable” live show in Spanish promises an irreverent and “daring” performance.
AARON WEBER: Sept. 17. Nashville-based comedian is known for performing at the Grand Ole Opry and “The Nateland Podcast” with Nate Bargatze and Brian Bates.
BRUCE BRUCE: Sept. 18-20. Former host of BET’s “ComicView” recently released his first comedy special in 15 years on Netflix.
SHANNON FIEDLER: Sept. 23. Comedian and content creator was named a comic to watch in the 2023 New York Comedy Festival.
POLY DIAZ: Sept. 24. Venezuelan comedian and actress talks about immigrant life and modern dating in her Spanish-language show.
KEVIN NEALON: Sept. 25-26. Best known for his nine-year stint on “Saturday Night Live,” the comic produces a digital series of celebrity interviews, “Hiking With Kevin.”
GOLDEN GIRLS TRIBUTE DRAG BRUNCH: Sept. 27. Brunch with Dorothy’s wit, Blanche’s Southern charm, Rose’s stories and Sophia’s one-liners.
SHELLY BELLY: Sept. 27. The social-media star became known for online comedy skits that took her routine from her front porch in South Carolina to the main stage.
AHREN BELISLE: Sept. 30. As seen on “America’s Got Talent” and heard on “Kill Tony,” the former software engineer and mental-health advocate is now a rising star in comedy.
GABRIEL RUTLEDGE: Oct. 1. The past winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition is a “quick-thinking, fast-talking, hard-working badass.”
MS. PAT: Oct. 2-3. Comedian, radio host, podcaster and actress is the main woman behind “The Ms. Pat Show.”
JAY JURDEN: Oct. 4. Star of the new Hulu comedy special “Yes Ma’am,” the New York-based comic is known for a “high-precision act.”
THAT 1 MAILMAN & FRIENDS: Oct. 6. The Ohio-based comedian became known for his TikTok videos during his job as a USPS mail carrier.
BRIAN BATES: Oct. 7. After working in corporate America until age 43, Bates gave up his day job to pursue stand-up comedy and works closely with Nate Bargatze.
NAW OR NEVER — WRESTLING COMEDY SMACK TALK OPEN MIC: Oct. 8. Real wrestling stars serve as guests for this open mic in which audience members try out for a parody wrestling company.
MONET X CHANGE: Oct. 9-10. Comic and drag queen delivers “unhinged, fast and filthy” stand-up comedy about adulting.
THE MAGIC OF ERIC EATON: Oct. 11. After appearing on the TV show “Masters Of Illusion,” Eaton presents an adults-only comedy magic show.
CHRIS TURNER: Oct. 13. The “America’s Got Talent” runner-up combines comedy, improvised music and audience interaction.
SPLOU: Oct. 14. Dominican-American content creator from the Bronx is known for his viral “Spanglish” sketches and relatable storytelling about family life and Latino culture.
JANE DON’T DOES AMERICA: Oct. 15. Drag queen and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star performs drag numbers in a show laced with “audience shenanigans.”
ELIAS SERULLE: Oct. 16. This Spanish-language show features direct, irreverent and is performed in “quintessentially Dominican style.”
TEE SANDERS: Oct. 18. With more than 75 million views across social media channels, Sanders is the 2026 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Digital Content Creator in Art/Comedy.
JEFF ARCURI: Oct. 22-24. Known for his crowd work, the stand-up comic just released his Netflix special, “Nice to Meet You.”
HOCUS POCUS TRIBUTE DRAG BRUNCH: Oct. 25. “Put a spell on your Sunday” with this event hosted by Shuga Cain from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
THE CHRISTI SHOW: Oct. 29. Singer, actress and dancer is known in comedy for making online improv videos as different characters.
EARTHQUAKE: Oct. 30-31. Longtime comedian has a long list of TV, streaming and radio appearances, including as the host of a show on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network.
THEME PARK COMEDIANS WITH DEVIN SIEBOLD & JAMES YON: Nov. 1. Orlando locals riff on their lifetime of entertainment experience and an “unhealthy obsession with theme park life.”
DUSTIN NICKERSON: Nov. 3. Rising star in the comedy world brings jokes about parenting struggles, marriage and being annoyed by people.
HERMAN WRICE: Nov. 4. Founding member and co-host of “The Kevin Langue Show” showcases his relatable perspective and grounded wit.
ARIES SPEARS: Nov. 6-8. Veteran comedian brings his quick wit, charisma and “ferociously aggressive” comedy style.
THE RESISTIVAL: Nov. 11. Comedy, sketch and variety come together in this show featuring comedians, writers, journalists, activists, content creators and special guests tackling politics.
WILL BURKART: Nov. 12. Social media star amassed a following of more than a million followers online before selling out venues across the country.
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RYAN DAVIS: Nov. 13-14. The comedian, actor and content creator breaks down trending topics and gives his unfiltered takes on life.
DALE ELLIOTT JR.: Nov. 15. Jamaican-American comedian and actor blends stand-up, cultural storytelling and authentic humor rooted in his immigrant experience.
THE EXTRAORDINARY CARD MAGIC OF JASON LADANYE: Nov. 18. Professional sleight-of-hand entertainer has built a career out of performing card magic for two decades.
TONY BAKER: Nov. 20-21. Social media personality’s viral videos have earned him a place in the stand-up world fueled by laughter, authenticity and heart.
NATALIE CUOMO: Nov. 22. New York-based social-media star brings her standup style and sharp humor.
BEN BANKAS: Nov. 27-29. With more than 100 million views this year, Bankas is taking social media and the comedy world by storm.
DAVID DE PIERRO: Dec. 2. Author of “The Letters I Never Sent” will read selections from the book, followed by a Q&A session.
COTEY HOLCOMB: Dec. 3-4. Comedian uses his wit to bridge class and racial divides as he talks about relationships.
DIAMOND DARLING: Dec. 5. Stand-up comic mixes jokes with his life stories and experiences while working the crowd.
JORDAN JACKSON: Dec. 6. One of the rising stars in clean comedy, Jackson has built a social-media audience of more than 1.5 million with his family-friendly humor.
JEFF ALLEN: Dec. 10. Clean comedian riffs on marriage, parenting, getting older and everyday life on his Christmas tour.
SHULER KING: Dec. 11. Ever since he was a kid growing up in the Bible Belt of the South, King has been cracking jokes. Now, he is also working as a funeral director.
MARTIN AMINI: Dec. 12-13. Growing up with an Iranian father and a Bolivian mother, Amini draws on his multicultural background for rich material for his stand-up routines.
SARPER GÜVEN: Dec. 14. Turkish comedian and star of “90 Day Fiancé” dives into marriage, jealousy and the culture of Turkish and American life.
ANTHONY RODIA: Dec. 17. Italian-American comedian brings out the chaos of family life and humor in everyday struggles.
MARK VIERA: Dec. 18-19. Bronx native got his start imitating TV characters as a child.
JEFFERY KELLER: Dec. 20. New York-based comedian brings “sharp wit, boyish charm” and a unique sense of humor from his background in musical theater.
RON TAYLOR: Dec. 26-27. Detroit native was the inaugural winner of Kevin Hart’s comedy competition series “Funny AF.”
ROCKY DALE DAVIS: Jan. 10, 2027. Stand-up comedian’s viral videos on TikTok and Instagram have over 500 million views.
ALFRED ROBLES: Jan. 15, 2027. Comedian and “cat dad” is known for observational humor and crowd interactions.
YOHAY SPONDER: Jan. 25, 2027. Israeli comedian talks about self-love, identity and faith.
RON FUNCHES: Jan. 29-30, 2027. After appearing in “The Traitors” and “New Girl,” the actor and comedian transforms weirdness and jokes into a show.
DERIC CAHILL: Feb. 4-5, 2027. On his “Unfortunate Son” tour, the comedian dives into his past from childhood trauma to everyday troubles.
OMGITSWICKS: Feb. 6, 2027. With millions of followers across social media, Josh Robinson riffs on the chaos of life in Florida.
LUENELL: Feb. 19-20, 2027. The self-proclaimed “Original Bad Girl of Comedy” has a big personality, booming voice and “infectious laughter.”
PREACHER LAWSON: Feb. 26-27, 2027. After growing up in the Orlando comedy scene, Lawson got his big break on “America’s Got Talent” and has since built a global fanbase.
STEVE HOFSTETTER: Feb. 28, 2027. One of YouTube’s most popular comics is also the host of “Finding Babe Ruth” on FS1.
HARD ROCK LIVE
The venue is at 6050 Universal Blvd. at Universal CityWalk in Orlando. More information: entertainment.hardrock.com/live/orlando
JOHN CRIST: Oct. 2. Sharp wit, “tactfully unhinged” stand-up and viral sketches make Crist one of the fastest-rising voices in comedy.
NURSE JOHN: Oct. 8. Stand-up comedian and real nurse draws experience from his background in healthcare.
AZIZ ANSARI: Oct. 11. Star of “Parks and Recreation” has won two Emmy Awards for Netflix original series “Master of None.”
JONATHAN VAN NESS: Nov. 20. Known from his appearance on “Queer Eye,” comedian and TV personality puts on a lively and unfiltered performance. For ages 18+.
MAX AMINI: Dec. 5. Iranian-American comedian, actor, producer and director is known for his social commentary, impressions and crowd work. For ages 13+.
KATHLEEN MADIGAN: Jan. 22, 2027. On her “Flying Cats Tour,” the comedian targets everyday frustrations with Midwest sensibilities.
RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: Feb. 20, 2027. “RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq The World Tour” returns with “Werq The World News,” a high-camp global broadcast hosted by Asia O’Hara.
HIDEAWAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The theater, which also presents plays and concerts, is at 431 Plaza Drive in Eustis. More information: hideawaypac.com
THE LAUGH REUNION: Sept. 19. Florida’s “premier clean comedy experience” presents headliner Demetrius Wheeler and other comics.
IMAGINE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The center, which also presents and hosts plays, is inside Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. in Oviedo. More information: imagineperformingartscenter.org
IMAGINARY FRIENDS IMPROV COMEDY SHOW: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18. Family-friendly, in-house comedy troupe improvises with opening act The Figments Student Troupe.
THE RACCOON REVUE VARIETY SHOW: Oct. 31, Dec. 19. Adults-only experience includes sketch comedy, stand-up, live music, improv and a wildcard act. For ages 18+.
KIA CENTER
The Kia Center is at 400 W. Church St. in Orlando. More information: kiacenter.com
JIM GAFFIGAN: Dec. 31. Stand-up comedian, writer, producer and actor is best known for his clean humor and self-deprecating wit.
MAMA’S COMEDY SHOW
The show is performed weekly at Ten10 Brewing, 1010 Virginia Drive in Orlando. More information: mamascomedyshow.com
MAMA’S COMEDY SHOW: Ongoing, each Friday night. Leave the kids at home for this adult-only comedy show.
THE PLAZA LIVE
The venue is at 425 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando. More information: plazaliveorlando.org
ZOLTAN KASZAS: Oct. 16. Hungarian-American comedian and actor is known for his observational humor and love of cats.
MATT MCCUSKER: Nov. 8. Best known as the co-host of “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” the comedian riffs on masculinity, wellness and relationships.
LOS PARCERITOS USA: Nov. 14. Live comedy project by Colombian artists Lokillo and Jotapé Martínez mixes storytelling, audience interaction and rapid-fire improv.
HYPROV: Dec. 5. Comedy show fuses stage hypnosis and improvisation.
MOJO BROOKZZ: Dec. 12. Comedian, who comes to Orlando with back-to-back shows on one night, got his big break with viral social-media sketches before Netflix appearances.
PAULA POUNDSTONE: Jan. 9, 2027. Longtime comedian riffs on everyday life and personal experience through crowd work and observational wit.
NACHO REDONDO: Jan. 16, 2027. Terapia de Grupo (Group Therapy) has Redondo unearthing his own psychological demons and those of the audience, for comedic effect.
SAK COMEDY LAB
The improv group is at 55 W. Church St. in Orlando. More information: sakcomedylab.com
DUEL OF FOOLS: Ongoing, Fridays and Saturdays. Two teams of professional improvisers compete for your laughs in the company’s signature show, suitable for all ages.
KING OF THE HILL: Ongoing, Fridays and Saturdays. A comedy battle in which the audience puts the performers through their paces — and decides who advances to the next round.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND SHOW: Sept. 6. On the eve of Labor Day, this show will be similar to “Duel of Fools” with two teams competing and audience judges.
THE R&D SHOW: Sept. 17. Improvisors use “brave test subject volunteers” from the audience to breathe new life into classic games and scenes.
TRUTH OR DARE IMPROV WITH P. SPARKLE: Sept. 24. A wild, high-energy, uncensored, “anything goes” improv show with R-rated content. Adults-only show.
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— Listings compiled by Patrick Connolly