Comedy Festival

March 10-18, 2023



The SXSW Comedy Festival's uniquely diverse lineup highlights many of today’s most compelling voices during a week-long celebration of comedy. The 2023 festival presents a full schedule of shows March 10-14, with intermittent programming through Saturday, March 18.


Ilana Glazer – SXSW Comedy 2019 – Photo by Jon Currie

Ilana Glazer – SXSW Comedy 2019 – Photo by Jon Currie

About Comedy

 

With an established history of featuring today’s greats and tomorrow’s celebrated performers, the SXSW Comedy Festival introduces the next wave of groundbreaking comedic talent to the entertainment industry and creative community at SXSW.

This year’s slate highlights exceptional talent and performances including stand-up, sketch, improv, podcast recordings, conversations, and more. SXSW Comedy is a unique gathering of performers from all reaches of entertainment, a special atmosphere that allows for spontaneous collaborations and magical moments.

Join us March 10-14, 2023 in Austin, Texas, with intermittent programming through Saturday, March 18. All SXSW Badges (Platinum, Interactive, Film & TV, and Music) are welcome to all SXSW Comedy showcases and conference sessions.

2023 Highlights

 

Eric André, Chelsea Handler, Abbi Jacobson, Sam Jay

2023 SXSW Comedy Festival Lineup

Participants

Abbi Jacobson • Adrienne Iapalucci • Andre Hyland • Anna Kendrick • Anthony Atamanuik • Anthony DeVito • Aristotle Athari • Beth Stelling • Bob Odenkirk • Brian Moses • Caitlin Peluffo • Caleb Hearon • Chelsea Handler • Christina Catherine Martinez • Doug Benson • Eddie Pepitone • Emma Willmann • Eric André • Felipe Esparza • Godfrey • Greg Proops • Ismael Loutfi • Jackie Fabulous • Jake Johnson • James Adomian • Jessica McKenna • Joe DeRosa • John Gemberling • Josh Johnson • Joyelle Johnson • Katherine Blanford • Leonard Maltin • Matt Besser • Mike Lawrence • Natalie Palamides • Nick Thune • Patton Oswalt • Pete Lee • Phoebe Robinson • Rachel Sennott • Reggie Watts • Sabrina Jalees • Sam Jay • Sam Tallent • Sandy Honig • Steve Agee • Steph Tolev • Stuart Goldsmith • Tim Robinson • Todd Barry • Tone Bell • Yamaneika Saunders • Plus surprise guests and more!

Special Programs Featuring

Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show • ASSSSCAT • The Comedian’s Comedian • Comic Relief US • The Creek & The Cave • Doug Loves Movies • Good Trip Live: A Night of Comedy and Psychedelic Stories • Gotham Comedy Club • I Used to Be Funny • improv4humans • Maltin on Movies • Matt Besser’s 420 Show • Roast Battle’s Tournament of Champions • Swan Leak: A Silent Clown Ballet • Variety Power of Comedy and more!

Explore the lineup announcement and dive into all confirmed programming for the 2023 SXSW Comedy Festival on the SXSW Schedule.

2023 Comedy Festival Schedule

Explore SXSW News for the latest event updates. For more SXSW Comedy Festival information, email comedy@sxsw.com.

2023 Official Comedy Poster

The 2023 Comedy Poster designed by Esao Andrews is a must-have for any comedy fan and SXSW attendee. The silkscreen poster is hand numbered and printed in a limited run of 100. Learn more about this year's artist below and be sure to get your poster at SXSW Merch, in-person at SXSW 2023 or via online pre-sale.

2023 SXSW Comedy Poster – by Esao Andrews

"I was inspired by the idea of a stage performance. I imagined Pagliacci the clown and the tossing of roses at the end of a ballet. A frog with a jester hat is a recurring element in the SXSW Comedy Poster so I made him the hero, triumphant over some mildly dangerous beetle." - Esao Andrews

From Mesa, Arizona, Esao Andrews is a Japanese/American artist and freelance illustrator. He received his B.F.A. in NYC from The School of Visual Arts in 2000 and with his haunted subject matter and often-times colorful palate has established a career both in the fine art and commercial world. He is best known for his Surreal album artwork for the band Circa Survive and has produced numerous comic book covers for Vertigo Comics and designs for Deathwish and Baker Skateboards early in his career. Recently he has added mural work to his output and is also constructing some sculpted projects.

Explore Events at SXSW Comedy

The Daily Beast

Gethard first met Apatow during a live taping of comedian Pete Holmes’ You Made It Weird podcast in 2011 at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Also on the panel that night was Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani. In the six years since, Apatow not only produced Gethard’s special, but also helped bring Holmes’ Crashing to HBO and produced Nanjiani’s upcoming film The Big Sick. ‘It’s like the most productive podcast episode that’s ever happened,’ Gethard jokes.

The Daily Beast

Consequence of Sound

...it’s the comedians who make sure badge holders, journalists, and festival organizers don’t take themselves too seriously.

Consequence of Sound

BrooklynVegan

...SXSW Comedy brought a surprising amount of rising stars to its stages this year, all of which were well-received by Austin’s famously open-minded and experimental comedy audiences.

BrooklynVegan

Vulture

At Austin’s annual SXSW, comedy has become a mainstay portion of the interactive film and music festival, where comedians gather around local comedy establishment Esther’s Follies to recharge between shows.

Vulture

The Hollywood Reporter

...SXSW Comedy has become known for its ability to connect up-and-coming comics with a who's who of Hollywood.

The Hollywood Reporter

Special Event & Podcast Recordings Archive

 
Matt Besser's Sing A Long Experiment 2018
improv4humans Podcast Live from SXSW 2018 2018
Bernie Sanders Town Hall with James Adomian + Guests 2018
Comedian's Comedian Podcast with James Davis 2018
Comedian's Comedian Podcast with Ron White 2018
Comedian's Comedian Podcast with Beth Stelling 2018
View More From 2011-2017 Archive
Comedy Bang! Bang! Podcast Live from SXSW 2017
Hannibal Buress: Handsome Rambler Podcast Live from SXSW 2017
Harmontown Live from Esther's Follies at SXSW '17 2017
improv4humans Podcast Live from SXSW 2017
TruTV's Talk Show the Game Show Live 2017
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #408 Live At SXSW 2016 2016
Maltin on Movies Podcast 2016
Showtime's SXSW Comedy with Natasha Leggero 2016
Todd Barry Podcast: Live from SXSW with Doug Benson, Betsy Brandt and Brooke Van Poppelen 2016
Who Charted? Podcast Live at SXSW 2016
All Things Comedy Live 2015
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #339 Live From SXSW 2015 2015
Comedy Bang! Bang! Podcast Live from SXSW 2015 2015
Harmontown Live from SXSW '15 2015
Horatio Sanz's The Hooray Show Podcast 2015
Showtime's SXSW Comedy with W. Kamau Bell 2015
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #275 Live From SXSW 2014 2014
Comedy Gives Back Showcase - Iliza Shlesinger 2014
Comedy Gives Back Showcase - Pete Holmes 2014
Ding-Donger with Matt Braunger 2014
improv4humans Podcast Live from SXSW 2014
The Pete Holmes Show: You Made it Weird at SXSW 2014
Todd Barry Podcast Live: SXSW '14 2014
You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes: Live from SXSW 2014 2014
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #206 Live From SXSW 2013 2013
Comedy Bang! Bang! Live w/Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Tim & Eric 2013
WTF Podcast w/James Franco, Harmony Korine, and more 2013
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #149 Live From SXSW 2012 2012
Greg Proops' Smartest Man in the Word Podcast 2012
Kevin Pollock's Chat Show 2012
Sklarbro Country Live from SXSW 2012 2012
The Benson Interruption 2012
You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes: Live From SXSW With Judd Apatow, Todd Barry and More 2012
Comedy Bang! Bang! - #96 Live From SXSW! 2011
Nerdist Podcast: John Oliver 2011
WTF Podcast Live at SXSW 2011

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