Now in its fourth year, the Traverse City Comedy Fest will return for another festival April 16-18, 2026 in seven venues across Traverse City, including the Traverse City Comedy Club, City Opera House, Park Place Hotel, The Workshop Brewing Company, The Alluvion, Hotel Indigo, and Voyageurs. Traverse City Tourism is the presenting sponsor of the fourth annual Traverse City Comedy Fest.

Gary Gulman is the first national headliner to be announced for the 2026 Traverse City Comedy Fest. One of the most popular touring comics in the country – selling out theaters including the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City – Gulman has established himself as an eminent performer and peerless writer in over 25 years in comedy. A beloved “Last Comic Standing” alum, Gulman has released five masterful standup specials including the critically acclaimed “The Great Depresh” for HBO, a tour-de-force look at mental illness that is equal parts hilarious and inspiring.

Gulman has made countless appearances as both a comedian and actor in television and film, appearing in the blockbuster movie “Joker” and co-starring in Amy Schumer’s hit Hulu comedy series “Life & Beth.” He is also the author of the 2023 memoir “Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the ‘80s,” which Schumer called “one of my favorite books of all time.” Most recently, Gulman made his off-Broadway debut with a five-week, sold-out run at The Lucille Lortel Theatre of his critically acclaimed one-man show “Grandiloquent,” directed by Tony Award winner Moritz von Stuelpnagel and produced by Mike & Carlee Productions (“Oh Mary!”).

Gulman will appear at the Traverse City Comedy Fest on Saturday, April 18 at the City Opera House. Tickets for his headlining appearance will go on sale December 1 at www.TraverseCityComedyFest.com. The 2026 Traverse City Comedy Fest will feature dozens of other shows and events featuring acclaimed comedians from across Michigan and the U.S during the three-day festival. More headliners and programming will be announced in the coming weeks, with additional ticket sales to follow. Traverse City Tourism is the presenting sponsor for the 2026 festival.