Laughs Under the Moontower
Austin's Moontower fest starts lineup with Marc Maron, Kathy Griffin
Marc Maron is a headliner at the 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival.
Austin is nationally known as a comedy hotspot and frankly, its comedic identity is all over the place. One massive festival brings it all together: the Moontower Comedy Festival will offer something for just about everyone from April 8-19, 2026, at more than 10 venues. Every year, the lineup is announced in waves, and this year's first wave of 75 performers is out now.
A press release promises "stand-up sets, unhinged podcast recordings, musical comedy, and sketch madness[, plus] midnight hangs after whatever brilliance the comics cooked up that night." This is the festival's 14th year, and even if comedy lovers haven't attended, they've likely seen clips or heard comedians reference running into each other in Austin during its run.
There are tons of ways to introduce and organize this long list of comics, but the most important delineations are headliners, Club Series performers, and locals. Headliners are as described: well-known comics who lots of people are going to want to see. Anyone can purchase tickets to a headlining show. The Club Series offers a four-day comedy buffet for badge-holders April 15-18, with more than 100 comics within walking distance downtown.
Local acts so far include the following comics: Andrew Murphy, Angelina Martin, Caleb Elliott, Carlton Wilcoxson, Danny Goodwin, Dylan Carlino, Fast Ronald, Genivive Clinton, Jon Carden, Kandace Medina, Katie Felton, Lukas McCrary, Mathew Mitchell, Mimi Meier, Pat Dean, Rafael Cruz, Roxy Castillo, and 2025’s Funniest Person in Austin winner JJ Curry.
The rest of the lineup so far is as follows, with headliners bolded:
- Aidan McCluskey
- An Evening with Albert Brooks
- Andrea Popova
- Andrew Murphy
- Andy Huggins
- Angelina Martin
- Beth Stelling
- Brad Williams
- Brendan Sagalow
- Caleb Elliott
- Carlton Wilcoxson
- Caroline Rhea
- Cristela Alonzo
- Danny Goodwin
- Debra DiGiovanni
- Doug Benson
- Drew Dunn
- Dvontre Coleman
- Dylan Adler
- Dylan Carlino
- Emil Wakim
- Emily Wilson
- Fast Ronald
- Genivive Clinton
- God Damn Comedy Jam
- Greg Warren
- Hassan Phills
- Ivan Decker
- Jason Sklar
- Jay Jurden
- Jeff Arcuri
- Jeremiah Watkins
- Jesus Sepulveda
- JJ Curry
- Joe Dombrowsky
- John Goblikon
- Jon Carden
- Jon Rudnitsky
- Josh Adam Meyers
- Kandace Medina
- Katherine Blanford
- Kathy Griffin
- Katie Boyle
- Katie Felton
- Keegan Tindall
- Leslie Jones
- Lukas McCrary
- Maggie Winters
- Marc Maron
- Marie Faustin
- Mathew Mitchell
- Matt Braunger
- Mike Falzone
- Mike Feeney
- Mike Vecchione
- Mimi Meier
- Nick Murphy
- Nish Kumar
- Off Book - The Improvised Musical
- Pat Dean
- Pat Regan
- Pink Foxx
- Rafael Cruz
- Randy Sklar
- René Vaca
- Ricci Armani
- Roxy Castillo
- Shane Torres
- Shxts N Gigs
- Sydnee Washington
- Tom Rhodes
- Val Parker
- Vince Caldera
- Vir Das
- Zach Zucker
- Zachariah Porter
Even though anyone will be able to attend headliner shows, a badge helps by giving pre-sale access. The festival is also running a "Bestie Badge promo" that offers $25 off each badge in a group of two or more. Headliner pre-sales run from Tuesday, November 11, to Wednesday, November 12. The rest will go on sale to the general public Thursday, November 13. More lineup announcements will be made in the coming months.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri