Ottawa Improv Festival Brings Comedy This Weekend
The 2026 Ottawa Improv Festival runs May 28–30 at Arts Court, featuring national and international improv acts plus workshops for all skill levels.
The Ottawa Improv Festival returns this long weekend with a lineup of comedians and improv acts from across Canada and beyond. Running May 28–30 at Arts Court, the festival offers both shows and workshops, drawing audiences who want to laugh and performers eager to showcase different styles of improvisation.
According to co-chair Adriana Johnston, the festival's mission is dual: "It brings both improv groups from outside of Ottawa and local groups to showcase all of the different ways that improv can be really fun and entertaining. The shows that we put on are to inspire our local performers, and also to show a range of styles."
The schedule includes evening performances for audiences and daytime workshops ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Whether you've never done improv and want to try it, or you're a seasoned performer looking to refine your craft, there's a workshop track for you.
Improv has grown into a legitimate art form—no longer just sketch-comedy setup, but a discipline with real structure, audience engagement, and creative risk-taking. The festival celebrates that evolution. If you're looking for live comedy and the unpredictable energy that comes with performances where anything can happen, the 2026 Ottawa Improv Festival is worth the trip to Arts Court.