The wildly popular Side Splitter Comedy Festival returns to Hamilton Hill-arious this October for its 11th edition, bringing some of Australia’s funniest comedians to the stage at the iconic 101-year-old Memorial Hall.
Proudly presented by the City of Cockburn and produced by WA Comedy, the 2026 festival runs across two huge weekends – October 23, 24, 30 and 31 – with a stacked program of solo shows and the festival-closing Gala Spectacular which will be hosted by legend of the laugh, Peter Rowsthorn.
This year’s lineup features some of the biggest names to hit the Side Splitter stage, led by Pete Helliar and Luke Heggie, alongside Geraldine Hickey, Sam Taunton, Dilruk Jayasinha, Kirsty Webeck and Ivan Aristeguieta, bringing acclaimed shows seen on stages around Australia to audiences in Perth’s south.
Festival Director Ronan Freeburn said there was no temptation to take the foot off the pedal after celebrating Side Splitter’s milestone 10th anniversary in 2025.
“It would have been easy to rest on our laurels after celebrating 10 years of Side Splitter last year, but I think we’ve come back with probably our strongest lineup yet,” he said.
“We’ve got some of Australia’s best comedians bringing their solo shows to Hamilton Hill across two huge weekends, before we wrap it all up with the Gala Spectacular on the final night. It’s a program we’re incredibly proud of.”
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said Cockburn residents had demonstrated their love of comedy for a decade and the City was excited to support the festival for an 11th year.
“Life is too short not to spend time enjoying top-rated comedy right here at home,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Apart from the top-quality talent we’ve come to expect at Side Splitter, the City will also again host a variety of community entertainment as part of Cockburn Live in 2026-27.
“Experience how we prove time and again that Cockburn is the best place to have a good belly laugh.”
The festival wraps up on Saturday October 31 with The Gala Spectacular hosted by Peter Rowsthorn, the perfect way to close out Side Splitter 2026.
Featuring eight comedians delivering their very best material, the Gala is one of the festival’s most popular events and regularly sells out.
OPENING NIGHT – FRIDAY OCTOBER 23
Ivan Aristeguieta – Ready to Mambo 7:00pm-8:00pm
Kirsty Webeck – Lost for Words 8:30pm-9:30pm
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24
Dilruk Jayasinha – Gratitude Guy 7:00pm-8:00pm
Sam Taunton – This Must Be the Place 8:30pm-9:30pm
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30
Geraldine Hickey – Live! 7:00pm-8:00pm
Luke Heggie – I Won’t Say It Again 8:30pm-9:30pm
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31
Pete Helliar – An International Kerfuffle 7:00pm-8:00pm
The Gala Spectacular hosted by Peter Rowsthorn 8:30pm-10:30pm, including intermission.
AUSLAN interpreted by Paula Norman.
In addition to the stellar comedy on stage, Side Splitter will once again feature its popular pop-up garden bar and food truck hub, open from 6pm each night, creating the perfect spot to grab a drink and a bite before or after a show.
Tickets are on sale now at sidesplitter.com.au, with Early Bird pricing available until 9pm Wednesday 30 September. Group booking discounts are also available. Side Splitter shows regularly sell out, so audiences are encouraged to book early.
Side Splitter Comedy Festival takes place at Memorial Hall, 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, on the corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road, with free parking and easy access via Transperth bus routes.
SIDE SPLITTER COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026
October 23, 24, 30 & 31
Memorial Hall, Hamilton Hill
Pop-up garden bar & food trucks from 6pm each night
Tickets:
https://sidesplitter.com.au/