SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 JERSEY CITY COMEDY FESTIVAL STAND UP COMPETITION NOW OPEN!

Jersey City Comedy Festival Dates June 9–13, 2026

DIRECTIONS FOR HOW TO SUBMIT:

Submit your video link + application below for the opportunity to be selected for the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival.

You must be available JUNE 11, 12*, 13*, 2026 in Jersey City, NJ. [*If you are coming in from out of the region, please be available JUNE 12 & 13 - although we encourage you to see the other showcases to connect and network with other comics]

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Comics must submit an entire single set with a minimum of 5 minutes. The recording must be unedited, starting from the moment the comic walks on stage until the set is fully completed. Highlights, selected jokes, or “best-of” reels are not allowed.
Important: Submissions that don’t meet these requirements will be disqualified and fees are non-refundable.

SHOWCASE DETAILS:

Selected comedians perform 4 minutes on June 11 or 12 (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM) for industry judges and live audiences.
Two comics advance per showcase (1 Audience Pick + 1 Industry Pick) to perform 6 minutes in the Best of the Fest finale on Saturday, June 13 (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM).
Two winners, an Audience Pick and an Industry Pick, will be crowned Best of the Fest and receive $500 each in cash prizes plus performance spots at clubs!

NEW THIS YEAR:

2 wildcard comics will be selected to perform in the Best of the Fest finale on June 13. [announced at the end of Fri June 12 showcase]
All finalists receive a $100 stipend.
All out-of-town comedians (flying in or driving 3+ hours) who do not advance to the finals receive a guest spot at The Laugh Tour Comedy Club on Saturday June 13.

LAST YEAR’S PRIZES INCLUDED:

Paid spots at The Laugh Tour Comedy Club (NJ)
Overall Industry Pick received a spot at West Side Comedy Club (NYC)
Overall Industry Pick and Audience Pick received $500 each, plus spots on:

Don’t Tell Comedy headliner showcase (NJ)
Manhattan Comedy School showcase
End of the Line @ QED Astoria

STAND UP COMEDY SUBMISSION DEADLINES + FEES:

DEC 15 - DEC 31, 2025 | Early Submission: $10
JAN 1 - JAN 31, 2026 | General Submission: $20
FEB 1 - FEB 28, 2026| Late Submissions: $30
MAR 1 - MAR 31, 2026 | Burn The Light: $40

JERSEY CITY COMICS*

DEC 16, 2025 - MAR 31, 2026 | $10 fee *with proof of Jersey City residency
[if you live in NJ but NOT in the city of Jersey City, you are NOT eligible]

SUBMIT HERE

FAQs

What kind of video do I send? Can it have different clips from different shows? or just the best jokes from a set?

No, it must be of an ENTIRE single set, minimum of 5 minutes and video must be UNEDITED meaning the recording starts from the BEGINNING of set when comic first walks on stage until the entire set is fully completed and they walk off stage. Video cannot be highlights, selected jokes or "best-of" reel.

Do you actually watch the videos?

Yes, its a slow process watching hours of submissions from all over.

Can I send a zip file or a link to download my videos?

Videos must be submitted as a public youtube link (no password required); links to download will not be accepted.

Where does the Jersey City Comedy Festival take place?

Shows take place at:

Art House Productions 345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 1 block from the Grove St PATH Station.

The Laugh Tour Comedy Club, 555 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ inside Dorrian’s Red Hand across the street from the Newport PATH station.

Who were the industry judges in the past?

Industry judges in past years' stand-up showcases included representatives from Comedy Central, Stand-Up New York, West Side Comedy Club, and Catch A Rising Star. Previous winners of the festival received a headlining weekend show at Stand Up NY, and primetime spots at Broadway Comedy Club via TheIndustryRoom.com as well as cash prizes. This year's industry judges will include agents and bookers.

I’m not from Jersey City / New York / New Jersey / the tri-state area / etc, can I still submit?

Yes! We welcome submissions from comics from all over the world! In the past, we’ve included comics from Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., Toronto, and of course the Garden State. Please note that we are not able to provide nor cover any costs for housing or travel. All out-of-town comedians (flying in or driving 3+ hours) who do not advance to the finals receive a guest spot at The Laugh Tour Comedy Club on Saturday night (early or late show).