City of Laughs Comedy Festival lands in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is about to get a lot louder in late September. The first City of Laughs Comedy Festival lands downtown from September 24 to 27, filling four nights with stand-up, sketch and improv, and it's built around a competition that gives the audience a real say in who comes out on top.

At the centre of it all is the search for the region's funniest act. The festival is scouting 18 to 24 comedians from across Atlantic Canada to take the stage at Dartmouth's premiere local venues. From September 24 to 26, those comics go through preliminary rounds where the audience votes to decide who advances. The top six then head to the finale on September 27 at the Sanctuary Arts Centre, where an industry panel crowns the winner. That person walks away with the first-ever Mary Walsh Comedy Award, handed over by Walsh herself, and a sponsored performance spot at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2027.

Speaking of Mary Walsh, the legendary Canadian comedian and actor headlines the whole thing, which is a big get for a first-edition festival. Having her name attached gives the event some serious weight right out of the gate, and her presence ties the competition to the award that bears her name.

If you're a comic based in Atlantic Canada and want in on it, the clock is ticking. Applications to compete need to be in by August 31, so you've got a couple of weeks to get yours together and send it over to john@cityoflaughs.ca. That's the same email to use if you just want more information before you commit.

For everyone else, the plan is still coming together. The full festival schedule, the complete lineup of comedians and ticket details for the audience are all set to be announced in early September. Until then, the dates are the only thing set in stone: September 24 to 27, with the finale landing at the Sanctuary Arts Centre at 100 Ochterloney Street. It's worth keeping an eye on for that early September update, because that's when you'll actually be able to pick your nights and grab tickets.

It's a new addition to the local scene, and the format turns it into something more than just a series of shows. Instead of a static bill, you're watching a tournament play out over four days, with the audience deciding who makes the cut before the industry panel takes over for the final. Whether you're there to see Mary Walsh or to help pick the winner, it's a fresh way to catch a lot of Atlantic Canadian comedy in one weekend. Mark the last week of September on your calendar, and look for the full details to drop in early September.