Melbourne International Comedy Festival Limited

Over 26 consecutive days across March and April more than 800 performers took part in the largest festival in the organisation s history. A record 689 shows were presented via more than 8,000 individual performances across 185 stages in 134 venues. While inflationary pressures on suppliers impacts on delivery costs, ticket sales remain strong. There were 644,085 tickets sold with a total attendance of over 709,000 across 8,014 individual performances. Total box office was $22.6 million which also set a new benchmark for the Festival. This year free family entertainment was presented at Fed Square on Good Friday. There were 76 free shows across the Festival with over 16,000 attendees In 2024, the Festival managed 35 venues across 11 sites, including 22 temporary performances spaces built specifically for the Festival. Melbourne continues to face a lack of permanent performance spaces requiring the Festival to invest significantly in hiring, programming and operating temporary venues to accommodate the growing event. Melbourne International Comedy Festival also administers the Light The Way Home, a program that offers a secure mode of transportation to women, trans, nonbinary, and other vulnerable performers after their shows in or around the Melbourne CBD. During 2024, the initiative provided more than 246 rides home for more than 75 registered users. Melbourne International Comedy Festival is committed to the development of the comedy industry and fostering emerging talent. This is supported through the yearround national delivery of development programs RAW Comedy, Deadly Funny, Class Clowns and Up Next providing crucial career pathways for artists. Immediately following the Festival, the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow again toured successfully. This year, it showcased in 83 communities across Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. 60 artists toured with the Roadshow and over 35,000 people attended performances across Australia.