Special to The Villager
The Countdown is on for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.
Journey Gunderson previews the 35th annual Festival and what visitors can expect during comedy’s biggest weekend.
In just one month, thousands of visitors from across the country will descend on Jamestown for one unforgettable reason: laughter.
As the birthplace of Lucille Ball and home of the National Comedy Center, Jamestown will once again host the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival from August 6-9, welcoming comedy legends, today’s biggest stars, rising talent, and thousands of visitors for one of the nation’s premier celebrations of comedy.
“Welcoming visitors from nearly all 50 states in four days’ time is a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding knowing more people will see the National Comedy Center and discover all that Chautauqua County has to offer,” said Executive Director Journey Gunderson.
This year’s lineup spans generations and styles of comedy, from legendary stand-up to late-night favorites and some of the country’s most exciting emerging performers.
“This festival has something for everyone,” Gunderson said. “Whether you were one of many massive fans of Seinfeld, have binged Bert Kreischer’s multiple Netflix specials, or are a fan of the late-night genre, there are laughs for everyone.”
Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld headlines the festival on August 6.
“With Seinfeld, you’re seeing one of the best to ever play the game,” added Gunderson.
Bert Kreischer takes the stage on August 8. His sold-out arena tours, hit podcasts, and Netflix specials have made him one of comedy’s biggest contemporary stars.
“Bert Kreischer brings an energy to the stage that few comedians can match. Whether he’s talking about being a girl dad, family life, or his own outrageous adventures, his larger-than-life personality and unforgettable storytelling have made him one of comedy’s biggest stars.”
The festival concludes on August 9 with Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, producer, and host of NBC’s Late Night, Seth Meyers. Best known for his sharp political satire and years as head writer and anchor of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” Meyers has become one of late night’s most respected comedic voices.
“I saw Seth Meyers’ stand-up a few months ago in New York, and it was relatable to all audiences, finding humor in everyday life that all can recognize, with his signature social commentary sprinkled in.”
Beyond the headlining performances, the festival features Comedy Late Night, I Love Lucy 75th Anniversary celebration events, downtown block parties, and immersive experiences at the National Comedy Center, offering something to enjoy throughout the four-day event.
“Some of the biggest laughs come during our annual Stand-Up Showcase, featuring the best talent from the club scene coast to coast.”
The festival’s impact reaches well beyond the stage.
“It’s great to see a community come together for what’s become a signature regional event that is an annual stimulus to the whole economy, from restaurants to hotels, Airbnb rentals, and rideshare services,” said Gunderson.
For many visitors, the festival is also an opportunity to experience the National Comedy Center, where immersive exhibits and interactive experiences celebrate comedy’s greatest performers while inviting guests to become part of the story themselves.
“The Comedy Center was just named the Best Pop Culture Museum in the country, and for good reason,” Gunderson said. “People of all ages and of every generation are enjoying this museum together, and they’re laughing, and they’re having fun. What better is there than that? That’s extraordinary.”
The museum also continues to expand one of the world’s premier collections of comedy history. In May, it was announced that legendary filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks chose the National Comedy Center as the permanent home for his career archive, joining the archives of Carl Reiner, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Johnny Carson, Lenny Bruce and many other comedy legends whose creative legacies are preserved in Jamestown.
“Through Lucille Ball’s vision, this is comedy’s hometown, and it’s where all of its keepsakes are. It’s a tremendous honor that Mel Brooks—with a self-proclaimed purpose in life to make people laugh, and having just celebrated his 100th birthday—followed suit.”
In addition to preserving comedy’s greatest artifacts, the National Comedy Center is helping tell comedy’s story through its first book, Funny Stuff: How Comedy Shaped American History. Created in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the richly illustrated volume explores the role comedy has played in shaping American history through artifacts from the collections of both institutions.
“It’s fitting that as the nation reflects on 250 years, we reflect in this book the role that comedy has played in shaping American history over those 250 years,” Gunderson said. “And we were so honored that Mel Brooks wrote the foreword.”
With world-class comedians, rising stars, a nationally acclaimed museum, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival offers visitors four unforgettable days celebrating comedy’s past, present, and future.
The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival takes place August 6-9, 2026. Tickets, a complete festival schedule, and additional information are available at ComedyCenter.org.