By Lake Travis Zipline Adventures · Updated April 2026
The Moontower Comedy Festival is back in Austin and it is bigger than ever. Running April 7 through 19, 2026, across more than 10 venues in downtown Austin, Moontower is one of the biggest comedy festivals in North America and the best reason to be in Austin this month. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of it.
Quick Answer — Moontower Comedy Festival 2026
The Moontower Comedy Festival runs April 7 through 19, 2026 in downtown Austin, Texas. The festival features over 150 comedians including Albert Brooks, Marc Maron, Leslie Jones, Sarah Sherman, Meg Stalter, Kathy Griffin, Vir Das, Jeff Arcuri, Jena Friedman, Lucy Darling, and dozens more performing at the Paramount Theatre, State Theatre, Cap City Comedy Club, Antone’s Nightclub, The Creek and the Cave, The Hideout, and 10 other downtown venues. The four-day club binge runs April 15 through 18. Badges and tickets are available at austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy.
What Is the Moontower Comedy Festival?
The Moontower Comedy Festival is one of the biggest comedy festivals in North America and the crown jewel of Austin’s world-class comedy scene. Presented by the Paramount Theatre, Moontower takes over downtown Austin every April for a two-week run that brings together legends, rising stars, podcast tapings, improv showcases, sketch performances, late-night parties, and enough comedy to leave you genuinely sore from laughing.
What makes Moontower different from most comedy festivals is the structure. It is not just a single weekend at a single venue. It is a sprawling two-week takeover of the city, with headliner shows at the iconic Paramount Theatre and State Theatre running from April 7 through the end of the festival, and then a four-day club binge from April 15 through 18 where badge holders get access to over 100 comedians across more than 10 downtown Austin venues all in one glorious stretch.
The festival has been building its reputation as one of the best comedy events in the country for years, and the 2026 lineup makes it clear that Moontower is operating at an entirely new level.
The 2026 Lineup — Who Is Performing
The 2026 Moontower lineup is genuinely stacked from top to bottom. Here is a look at who is performing.
Headliners at the Paramount and State Theatres:
Albert Brooks is the comedy legend and Academy Award-nominated writer, director, and actor whose influence on modern comedy is almost impossible to overstate. Seeing him live is a genuine bucket list event for anyone who loves comedy.
Marc Maron returns to Moontower as one of the most respected voices in stand-up and podcasting. The WTF with Marc Maron podcast changed the way comedians talk about their craft and his live shows are some of the most honest and absorbing performances in the business.
Leslie Jones is one of the most electric performers in comedy, a former Saturday Night Live cast member whose raw energy and fearless stage presence make every show feel like an event.
Sarah Sherman, another Saturday Night Live cast member, has become one of the most talked-about comedians in the country thanks to her boundary-pushing HBO special Sarah Squirm: Live and in the Flesh and her signature mix of practical effects, gross-out humor, and genuinely fearless performance.
Meg Stalter, known for her breakout role in Hacks on HBO and her massive social media following, brings her uniquely chaotic and deeply funny sensibility to the Moontower stage.
Kathy Griffin returns as one of the most durable and boundary-testing acts in stand-up comedy, with a career that spans decades and a live show that is completely unpredictable.
Vir Das is one of the most celebrated international comedians working today, a multiple Netflix special veteran who brings a sharp, globally aware perspective to stand-up that stands out at any festival.
Jeff Arcuri has become one of the fastest-rising names in comedy, building a massive following through viral clips and live shows that reward audiences who show up not knowing what to expect.
Jena Friedman, creator and star of Adult Swim’s Soft Focus, is one of comedy’s sharpest satirical minds with an upcoming special produced by Ali Wong that has the comedy world buzzing.
Lucy Darling, the award-winning comedian and Guinness World Record holder who combines razor-sharp wit with genuinely jaw-dropping close-up magic, returns after two sold-out Paramount shows. If you missed her before, do not make that mistake again.
Also on the 2026 Lineup:
Roy Wood Jr., Brad Williams, Cristela Alonzo, Shxts N Gigs, Emergency Intercom (the wildly popular podcast of Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips), Murray Hill, Yakov Smirnoff, Beth Stelling, Caroline Rhea, Doug Benson, Guy Branum, Hassan Phills, Jeff Arcuri, Erin Jackson, Martin Urbano, and over 100 more comedians performing across all festival venues throughout the two weeks.
Special shows include Master Pancake Theater Riffs Twister, the return of Off Book: The Improvised Musical, The Lauren and Mary Show with Lauren Lapkus and Mary Holland, and the Goddamn Comedy Jam. Austin local talent including JJ Curry, the official Funniest Person in Austin, and Best of Austin 2025 winner Roxy Castillo are also on the bill.
How the Festival Works — Badges vs Single Tickets
Moontower operates on a simple two-part system that lets you customize exactly how much comedy you want to experience.
Single Tickets are available for all headliner shows at the Paramount Theatre and State Theatre. If you only want to see one or two specific performers, buying single tickets to those shows is the straightforward option. All headliner tickets are available at austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy.
Festival Badges unlock the four-day club binge running April 15 through 18 and give you access to over 100 comedians across all the club venues for four consecutive nights. There are three badge options:
The Club Badge gets you into all four nights of club shows plus presale access to add on headliner tickets before the general public.
The Club Premium Badge adds skip-the-line entry to all club venues on top of everything the Club Badge includes.
The Full Moon Badge is the all-in option, with skip-the-line entry to club shows and guaranteed seats at 10 headliner shows of your choosing.
The Bestie Badge deal: buy two or more badges at the same time and you get $25 off every badge, plus guaranteed seats next to your friends when purchasing headliner tickets during presale. Worth knowing if you are going with a group.
Daily Wristbands are also available for people who only want one night of the club binge. A daily wristband gives you access to a full night of shows and parties at all club venues on a single evening.
Where Are the Shows — Festival Venues
Moontower takes over more than 10 downtown Austin venues for the full two weeks. The main headliner venues are the historic Paramount Theatre and State Theatre on Congress Avenue, two of the most beloved live performance spaces in Austin. Club shows during the four-day binge spread across Cap City Comedy Club, Antone’s Nightclub, The Creek and the Cave, The Hideout, and several other downtown venues.
Everything is within walking distance in the heart of downtown Austin, which makes it genuinely easy to bounce between shows during the club binge nights. One of the best things about Moontower is the serendipity of stumbling into a set by a comedian you have never heard of and walking out having just seen your new favorite. That happens constantly during the club nights.
Things to Do in Austin While at Moontower Comedy Festival
Moontower runs for two weeks and shows are mostly in the evenings, which means your days in Austin are wide open. April is arguably the best month of the entire year to be in Austin. The weather is perfect, the wildflowers are still blooming, and the city is buzzing with energy from the festival crowd. Here is how to fill your days between shows.
#1 Lake Travis Zipline Adventures — The Best Thing to Do in Austin
If you are going to be in Austin for Moontower and you do one thing with your daytime hours, make it Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. This is the most unique outdoor experience in Austin and one of the most memorable things you can do in the entire state of Texas. It is the perfect complement to a comedy festival weekend because it delivers the same kind of lasting memory but through pure outdoor adrenaline instead of laughter.
Here is how it works. You board a boat that takes you across Lake Travis to Zip Island, a private island in the middle of the lake accessible only by water, located near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on the north shore about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Once there, you spend three hours on five world-class ziplines through the Texas Hill Country, including the Double Barrel Shotgun, two side-by-side lines stretching over 2,800 feet at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. The Hill Country views from up there in April, with wildflowers covering the landscape below, are genuinely jaw-dropping.
After the tour your group gets full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island, where you can jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis, relax in hammocks, and soak up the lake in the best outdoor weather Austin gets all year. Get out there in the morning, spend the afternoon on the lake, and be back in downtown Austin in time for your evening Moontower shows.
The Details
- 5-Line Zipline Tour: $138/person, includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island
- Double Barrel Single-Line Tour: $88/person
- Duration: 3 hours for the full tour plus full-day lakefront access after
- Location: Near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on Lake Travis, about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin
- Best For: Groups, couples, families, anyone who wants the best daytime adventure in Austin
- Reservations: Required at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: April slots fill up fast especially during festival weeks when Austin is packed with visitors. Book ahead at laketraviszipline.com and lock in your morning before it sells out.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures now before your Moontower weekend fills up.
#2 Barton Springs Pool
After a big night of comedy, nothing resets you faster than cold spring-fed water. Barton Springs Pool inside Zilker Park stays at a constant 68 degrees year round and is one of the most beloved swimming experiences in Texas. Go on a morning or early afternoon between festival shows and soak up everything that makes Austin great. Entry is free from 5 to 8 AM and $9 for non-residents after that.
The Details
- Location: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin TX 78746
- Cost: $9 for non-resident adults, free from 5 to 8 AM
- Best For: Recovery mornings, hot afternoons, anyone who needs to cool off between shows
#3 South Congress Avenue
South Congress Avenue is Austin’s most iconic neighborhood strip and one of the best places in the city to spend a few hours with no agenda. Locally owned boutiques, vintage shops, food trucks, coffee shops, and some of the best people-watching in Texas line both sides of the street for several blocks. Stop at Jo’s Coffee for the iconic I Love You So Much mural and grab a breakfast taco at one of the stands before heading back for your next show.
The Details
- Location: South Congress Avenue, South Austin
- Cost: Free to walk
- Best For: Browsing, dining, photography, a relaxed Austin afternoon
#4 Lady Bird Lake Trail
The Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail is a free 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake in the center of Austin with stunning skyline views and easy access to kayak and paddleboard rentals. A morning walk or run along the trail before festival shows is one of the best ways to experience the city at its most beautiful. April weather makes this trail as good as it gets all year.
The Details
- Location: Downtown Austin, along Lady Bird Lake
- Cost: Free for trail access, kayak and paddleboard rentals available nearby
- Best For: Morning walks, runs, cyclists, kayakers
#5 Pot Daddy Studio — Pottery in a Glass Dome
For a daytime activity that is genuinely unlike anything else in Austin, Pot Daddy Studio in West Austin is the move. A donation-based pottery studio set inside a stunning glass dome surrounded by trees and soft lighting. Two-hour classes are beginner-friendly, intimate, and led by passionate instructors. It is peaceful, creative, and a perfect contrast to a late night of comedy shows. The suggested donation is $50 to $100 per person and reservations are required.
The Details
- Location: 100 Lake Hills Dr S, Austin TX 78733
- Cost: Suggested donation $50 to $100 per person
- Website: potdaddystudio.com
#6 Retro Boats ATX — Vintage Boat Sunset Cruise
Retro Boats ATX rents out fully restored 1958 vintage fiberglass boats on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. You captain the boat yourself, cruising past the Austin skyline and under the Congress Avenue Bridge as the bats emerge at sunset. Book a late afternoon session before heading to your evening Moontower shows for one of the most uniquely Austin pre-show experiences you can have. Boats have names like Gidget, Lola, Trixie, and Edith and the whole experience is one of the best things to do in Austin at any time of year.
The Details
- Location: Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin
- Website: retroboatsatx.com
- Best For: Couples, small groups, a memorable pre-show activity
#7 Breakfast Tacos and Franklin Barbecue
You cannot be in Austin without eating properly. Start your Moontower mornings with breakfast tacos from one of the food trucks on South Congress or East Sixth Street. For lunch, Franklin Barbecue on East 11th Street is widely considered the best BBQ in Austin and one of the best in the country. The line starts before the restaurant opens and it sells out every single day, but the brisket is worth every minute of the wait. If you do not have time for the line, Interstellar BBQ in Cedar Park is the alternative that locals trust just as much.
#8 Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
Every evening from March through October, 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin at dusk. The whole event takes about 20 minutes and is completely free. It is one of the most spectacular natural events you can witness in any American city and it happens to be in perfect timing during Moontower. Watch the bats before heading to your evening shows for a only-in-Austin pre-comedy experience that is hard to beat.
The Details
- Location: Congress Avenue Bridge, downtown Austin
- Cost: Free
- Best Time: Sunset, right before your evening Moontower shows
#9 The Broken Spoke — Two-Stepping and Honky-Tonk
For a night when you want something different from the festival shows, The Broken Spoke has been Austin’s most authentic honky-tonk since 1964. Two-step dance lessons run early in the evening before live country music takes over. It is pure Texas, completely unique, and a side of Austin that most Moontower visitors never see. The contrast between a night of stand-up comedy and a night of two-stepping at a genuine Texas dance hall is one of those Austin experiences that makes the city impossible to fully explain to people who have not been.
The Details
- Location: 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78704
- Website: brokenspokeaustintx.net
- Best For: Anyone who wants the full Austin experience beyond the festival
Tips for Making the Most of Moontower
Plan your headliners first and buy those tickets early. The biggest names sell out fast and once they are gone they are gone. Albert Brooks, Leslie Jones, Marc Maron, and Sarah Sherman in particular are likely to be the first shows to sell out.
Get a badge for the club nights even if you only use it for one or two nights. The density of great comedy happening simultaneously across downtown Austin during April 15 through 18 is unlike anything else in the city all year. Walking between venues and catching unexpected sets is a huge part of what makes Moontower special.
Show up early to club shows. The venues fill up and the best seats go fast especially for acts that have built big followings online. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early for a club show is not overkill.
Stay for the late-night stuff. Moontower runs parties and late-night shows after the main performances wrap up, and some of the most memorable festival moments happen in the late hours when comedians are looser and the audiences are fully warmed up.
Book your daytime activities in advance. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures fills up fast during festival week with Austin full of visitors. Lock in your spot at laketraviszipline.com before you arrive.
Why Austin Is the Perfect City for a Comedy Festival
Austin is not just a comedy-friendly city. It is one of the top comedy cities in the world, and Moontower is the event that proves it every year. The city’s culture of creativity, its live music infrastructure, and its reputation for embracing the unconventional have created a comedy scene that punches well above its weight for a city of its size.
The Paramount Theatre, which produces and hosts Moontower, is one of the most respected independent theatres in the country and books world-class comedy all year long beyond just the festival. Mothership comedy club in downtown Austin, Cap City Comedy Club, and a thriving local stand-up community round out a comedy ecosystem that makes April in Austin feel like the comedy capital of the world for two weeks every year.
Frequently Asked Questions — Moontower Comedy Festival 2026
When is the Moontower Comedy Festival 2026?
The Moontower Comedy Festival 2026 runs April 7 through 19, 2026 in downtown Austin, Texas. Headliner shows at the Paramount Theatre and State Theatre run throughout the two weeks. The four-day club binge, where badge holders get access to over 100 comedians across all downtown club venues, runs April 15 through 18.
Where is the Moontower Comedy Festival held?
The festival is held across more than 10 venues in downtown Austin, Texas. Main headliner venues are the Paramount Theatre and State Theatre on Congress Avenue. Club shows take place at Cap City Comedy Club, Antone’s Nightclub, The Creek and the Cave, The Hideout, and additional downtown venues. Everything is walkable in the heart of downtown Austin.
Who is performing at Moontower 2026?
The 2026 Moontower Comedy Festival lineup includes Albert Brooks, Marc Maron, Leslie Jones, Sarah Sherman, Meg Stalter, Kathy Griffin, Vir Das, Jeff Arcuri, Jena Friedman, Lucy Darling, Roy Wood Jr., Brad Williams, Cristela Alonzo, Murray Hill, Shxts N Gigs, Emergency Intercom, Yakov Smirnoff, Beth Stelling, Caroline Rhea, and over 100 more comedians across all venues.
How do I get tickets to Moontower Comedy Festival?
Tickets and badges for Moontower 2026 are available at austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy. Single tickets are available for all headliner shows. Festival badges for the four-day club binge are available in three tiers: Club Badge, Club Premium Badge, and Full Moon Badge. Daily wristbands are also available for a single night of club access.
How much do Moontower tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary by show and badge type. Club Badges start at a base price for the four-day club binge and go up for premium and full festival options. Single headliner tickets vary by performer. Check the current pricing at austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.
What is the best thing to do in Austin during Moontower?
The best daytime activity in Austin during Moontower is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. You board a boat to a private island in the middle of Lake Travis and spend three hours on five world-class ziplines including the Double Barrel Shotgun, the longest zipline in Texas at over 2,800 feet and speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. After the tour you get full-day access to the private lakefront property where you can jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis. Tickets start at $88 per person and reservations are required at laketraviszipline.com. April is the absolute best time of year to be out on Lake Travis.
Is Moontower Comedy Festival good for first timers?
Yes, absolutely. Moontower is designed to work for anyone from casual comedy fans who want to see one or two specific headliners to hardcore comedy enthusiasts who want to see as many shows as possible over the full two weeks. First timers are encouraged to grab a badge for at least one or two nights of the club binge to experience the full festival energy, and to buy headliner tickets for one or two big names they already love as a starting point.
Make the Most of Your Austin Comedy Weekend
Moontower is the kind of festival that rewards people who commit to it. Buy the badge. Show up for the club nights. Let yourself stumble into sets by comedians you have never heard of. That is where the best Moontower memories come from.
And while you are in Austin, do not let the trip go by without getting out to Lake Travis. A morning at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures followed by a full night of Moontower shows is one of the best possible Austin days on the calendar this spring. Book your zipline spot at laketraviszipline.com before slots sell out.
For more Austin inspiration check out our guides to the Best Things to Do in Austin TX, Things to Do in Austin This Weekend, and the Most Unique Things to Do in Austin TX.