If your October calendar still has empty weekends, I’m about to change that. Dubai Comedy Festival 2026 has just confirmed its full lineup, and calling it a ‘comedy festival’ almost undersells it. Try nine days straight, five stages, and enough big headliners that picking just one show is going to feel genuinely unfair. Whether your idea of a great comedy night out is sharp Hindi stand-up, nostalgic Lebanese sketches or an arena-sized Netflix special, there’s a show with your name on it somewhere in the next nine days. I have all the laugh-till-your-belly-hurts details, so keep reading to find out more.
Dates To Know & Comedians You Can’t Miss
October 9–15 – Pitch Them Perfect
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
It’s an interactive dating-comedy show where friends take the mic to “sell” their single pals to a room of strangers, while others confess their worst-date horror stories for the crowd to weigh in on. Expect bold pitches, questionable decisions and a healthy dose of chaos.
October 9–10 – Ahmed Ahmed & Friends
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
Nearly three decades into his career, Ahmed Ahmed brings his sharp storytelling and seasoned stage presence to Dubai, joined by Steven Briggs, Brandon Johnson and Sean Fawaz, plus local favourites Amr Elassal, Ismail Abdi, Hashem El Garhy and Noha Jadallah.
October 10 – Jamie Lever
Venue: Emirates Theatre, Jumeirah | Showtime: 7:00 PM
After more than 160 sold-out shows worldwide, Jamie Lever brings her sharp impersonations and high-energy stage presence to Dubai. Daughter of comedy legend Johnny Lever, she’s built a name of her own. With clean, crowd-pleasing humour that works for audiences of every age. Performed in Hindi.
October 10 – Short + Sweet Comedy Junior Finale
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
The UAE’s youngest comedy talent (aged 12 to 18) takes over Pepperoni Comedy Club for one last shot at the Short+Sweet Comedy Junior Champion 2026 title. Expect fast, fresh and completely unpredictable sets from a group of young performers who might just be comedy’s next big names.
October 11 – Munawar Faruqui
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Munawar Faruqui returns with a brand-new, all-original set. Sharp writing, layered storytelling and the kind of real-life observations that hit a little too close to home. In the best way, of course. And this one is a Hindi showm folks.
October 11 – Podcast W Nos (Hadeel Marei & Maha Jaafar)
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club | Showtime: 9:30 PM
Hadeel Marei and Maha Jaafar take their hit podcast “Podcast W Nos” live, bringing their candid conversations and quick-fire chemistry to the stage for a night that promises plenty of spicy gossip. Performed in Arabic.
October 11 – Short + Sweet Comedy Finale
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
After a full season of competition, the UAE’s best homegrown comedians go head-to-head in one 60-minute Finale, hosted by MC Amit Dhawan. Expect fast, fearless sets from your fav comedians, all competing for the title of first-ever Short+Sweet Comedy Dubai Champion. That includes:
- Ahmad Kasid
- Folly Olubiyi
- Jed Dawson
- Noha911
- Roxy Yekta
- Sunny Mashari
- Varun Bhatia
- Vedant Mahidhar
October 12 – Mo Gilligan
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Multi-award-winning British comedian Mo Gilligan brings his brand-new stand-up spectacular, “The Mo You Know World Tour,” to Dubai. From viral internet sketches to sold-out arena shows in just a few years, expect his trademark high energy throughout.
October 12 – Katherine Ryan
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: Showtime: 9:30 PM
One of the UK’s biggest comedy stars, Katherine Ryan returns for a night of sharp wit, hilarious stories and her signature no-nonsense humour. Taking on love, family and modern life along the way.
October 12 – Imad Kehdy
Venue: New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Showtime: 9:30 PM
After selling over 15,000 tickets with his debut show “Hamburger,” Imad Kehdy is back with “17 – سبعتعش”. A witty, honest look at career choices, marriage and settling into life in Dubai. Performed in Arabic.
October 12–18 – DCF x Pepperoni Comedy Showcase
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
A rotating nightly showcase bringing a fresh mix of international headliners and local comedy favourites to the intimate Pepperoni stage throughout the festival. The lineup includes:
- Iraqi-American comedian Reem Edan, known for her sharp takes on identity and culture.
- Laurie Douglas, a regional favourite with dark, observational humour.
- Rising star Dinara Kerey, whose unfiltered takes on modern dating and life abroad have made her one to watch.
October 13 – Enissa Amani
Venue: New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Showtime: 9:30 PM
An Iranian-German stand-up comedian and television host, Enissa Amani made history as the first European woman to release a Netflix Original comedy special, “Ehrenwort.” Expect fearless comedy that turns culture, identity and society into something you can’t stop laughing at. 18+.
October 14 – Mario Bassil ft. Chady Maroun & Aline Ahmar
Venue: New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Showtime: 9:30 PM
Mario Bassil, Chady Maroun and Aline Ahmar bring decades of Lebanese comedy nostalgia to one stage, with throwback characters, familiar sketches and plenty of surprises along the way.
October 16 – Zarna Garg
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Zarna Garg brings her brand-new show, “Million Dollar Excuses,” to Dubai. A night of fearless storytelling and razor-sharp wit built around family, culture and the beautiful chaos of modern life.
October 16 – Crowd Work Show (Ahmed Saif & Bin Swelah)
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club
In “Sheel W Mashi,” nothing is scripted. The audience doesn’t just watch, they become the show, with every answer and unexpected moment turning into a joke on the spot. No two nights are the same, so come ready for bold humour, quick comebacks and the very real chance you could end up part of the punchline. Performed in Arabic, 18+.
October 17 – John Achkar
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Four specials and over 150,000 tickets sold later, John Achkar returns with his most raw and personal Arabic special yet, “Feena Nehke.” Expect honesty, identity and a few uncomfortable truths woven in alongside the laughs. This one leans into some heavier, more personal themes. Performed in Arabic.
October 17 – 1 Year of Pepperoni Comedy Club
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 7:00 PM
Pepperoni Comedy Club celebrates one year with a stacked anniversary show! Hosted by Kris Fade and headlined by Redouane Bougheraba, with Nino Arial, Abz Ali and Noha Bashir rounding out the night.
October 17 – Daniel Fernandes
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club | Showtime: 7:00 PM
“Do You Know Who I Am?” is Daniel Fernandes’ smart, funny and surprisingly uplifting take on family, identity and the patterns we repeat without noticing.
October 17 – Neema Naz
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 9:30 PM
With over 2 billion views and comedy credits alongside the likes of Russell Peters, Theo Von and Kevin Hart, Neema Naz brings his new show, “My Estupid Life,” to Dubai. A fresh comedy face well worth catching.
October 17 – Rafi Bastos
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 6:30 PM
From viral stand-up clips to regular nights at New York’s legendary Comedy Cellar, Rafi Bastos brings his sharp, unapologetic comedy to Dubai.
October 18 – Amit Tandon
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 3:00 PM
Even after touring 30 countries, Amit Tandon is still asking “Aise Kaise?” In his new show, one of India’s most loved comedians questions the logic behind changing times, rituals and the people (including himself) around him. Performed in Hindi.
October 18 – Kings & Queens of Comedy
Venue: New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Showtime: 7:00 PM
Blu Blood’s Kings & Queens of Comedy brings four of South Africa’s funniest voices (Darren Maule, Celeste Ntuli, Vafa Naraghi and Bash with Tash) to Dubai for one night of stand-up royalty.
October 18 – Vir Das
Venue: Coca-Cola Arena | Showtime: 8:00 PM
Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das takes on Coca-Cola Arena, bringing the kind of international acclaim that’s earned him praise from The New York Times and led to 180-plus shows performed everywhere from Edinburgh Fringe to Carnegie Hall.
October 18 – Nino Arial
Venue: New Covent Garden, Mall of the Emirates | Showtime: 9:30 PM
Nino Arial brings his French-language stand-up all the way from France, known for his energetic stage presence and knack for turning everyday chaos into unforgettable stories. Performed in French.
October 18 – Mario Bassil (Solo)
Venue: Pepperoni Comedy Club | Showtime: 9:30 PM
Mario Bassil takes the stage solo this time, bringing his signature humour and bold personality. Plus a surprise or two he’s keeping under wraps.
October 18 – Abbas Bukhari
Venue: Dubai Opera | Showtime: 9:30 PM
One of the most distinctive voices in Urdu stand-up. Abbas Bukhari turns the everyday chaos of married life, family and culture into stories that feel like they were written about you. Performed in Urdu.
With this many shows across nine days, the real challenge isn’t finding something to watch — it’s narrowing it down. Tickets are on sale now, and given how packed this lineup is, the popular nights won’t stay available for long.
For more details on your favourite comedians this season, visit the official Dubai Comedy Festival Website!
