🎤 FUNNYCON

Comedy Nerds Unite

Join FunnyCon, a three-day celebration of comedy in every medium — stand-up, TV, film, internet, writing, sketch, and everything in between.

Taking place March 31 – April 2, 2026 in Chicago, FunnyCon blends festival, convention, workshops, performances, and an awards show into one immersive gathering for comedy fans and creators.

More than just a comedy festival, FunnyCon is designed as a hub for the global comedy community — bringing together performers, writers, producers, students of comedy, industry insiders, and fans to share knowledge, discover new talent, and celebrate the art of being funny.

From live performances and workshops to screenings, panels, and the first-ever Funny Awards, the event creates a space where comedy gets the cultural recognition it deserves.

😂 WHAT IS FUNNYCON?

FunnyCon is part comedy festival, part comedy industry convention — focused entirely on the craft and business of comedy.

Across three days, attendees experience:

• 🎤 Live comedy performances

• 🎬 Comedy screenings

• 🧠 Workshops on writing and performing comedy

• 🎙 Panels with professional comedians and industry leaders

• 🌟 Showcases for emerging talent

• 🏆 The Funny Awards ceremony

• 🤝 Networking with comedy creators and producers

• 🎥 Streaming access for remote attendees

The mission:
Connect fans and creators, celebrate comedy across all media, and create a place where the funny-making arts thrive.

📍 LOCATION

Chicago — America’s Comedy Capital

FunnyCon takes place at The Lincoln Lodge, one of Chicago’s most iconic comedy venues.

Chicago was chosen intentionally — the city is home to legendary comedy institutions including:

• The Second City

• Improv Olympic (iO Theater)

• Annoyance Theater

• The Onion

Chicago has long served as one of the world’s most important incubators for comedians and comedy writers.

📅 THREE DAYS OF COMEDY

DAY 1–3 PROGRAMMING

FunnyCon runs March 31 – April 2 with programming throughout the day and evening.

Programming includes:

🎤 Stand-up showcases
Featuring established comedians and rising talent.

🧠 Comedy workshops
Learn writing, sketch, satire, and performance techniques.

🎬 Comedy screenings
Film, TV, and digital comedy content from creators worldwide.

🎙 Industry panels
Insights from writers, producers, and performers on the craft and business of comedy.

🎭 Live performances & shows
Sketch, improv, storytelling, and experimental comedy.

🏆 THE FUNNY AWARDS (“THE FUNNIES”)

The centerpiece of FunnyCon is the Funny Awards, an annual awards show celebrating the best comedy of the year.

Comedy rarely gets recognition at major award shows — so FunnyCon created an awards ceremony specifically for comedy across all formats.

Categories include comedy across:

• 🎬 Film

• 📺 Television

• 🎤 Stand-up

• 📱 Social media comedy

• 🌐 Web series

• ✍️ Writing and satire

The vision is to create an award that becomes as culturally recognized for comedy as:

• The Grammys (music)

• The Tonys (theater)

• The Webbys (internet)

Voting comes from comedy professionals and aspiring comedians, highlighting “the comedian’s comedian.”

🎓 WORKSHOPS & LEARNING

FunnyCon also functions as a professional development conference for comedy creators.

Sessions cover topics like:

• Writing stand-up

• Comedy storytelling

• Satire and sketch writing

• Performing and stage presence

• Building a comedy career

• Comedy for film, TV, and online platforms

Many workshops are led by industry veterans and professional comedians.

🎟 TICKETS & ACCESS

Several ticket types are available:

🎟 3-Day Pass
Full access to panels, workshops, performances, and the Funny Awards.

🎟 1-Day Pass

💻 3-Day Streaming Pass ($89)
Watch FunnyCon remotely including:

• Panels

• Workshops

• Performances

• Awards ceremony

Early attendees may receive VIP reception prizes.

👑 FOUNDER

Scott Dikkers
Grand Marshal of FunnyCon.

• Co-founder of The Onion

• Founder of The AV Club

• Best-selling author

• Founder of the How to Write Funny comedy education platform

His comedy education community includes over 100,000 members worldwide.

FunnyCon emerged from that community as a way to create a real-world gathering for comedy creators and fans.

🎭 WHO ATTENDS

FunnyCon brings together a mix of:

• Stand-up comedians

• Comedy writers

• improv performers

• filmmakers

• comedy podcasters

• social media creators

• producers and agents

• comedy fans and students

The event aims to create a supportive, collaborative atmosphere in an industry often known for competition.

🚀 AFFILIATE PROGRAM (SHARE & EARN)

FunnyCon runs a referral-based affiliate program that rewards fans for helping spread the word.

Participants receive a custom referral link and earn rewards when friends buy tickets.

Rewards include:

2 referrals
→ $179 off a 3-Day Pass

3 referrals
→ Free 3-Day Pass

5 referrals
→ Free round-trip flight to Chicago

8 referrals
→ Free hotel stay for the event

12 referrals
→ Free first-class flight

16 referrals
→ First-class flight for you and a friend

24 referrals
→ First-class flights + hotel + $100 per diem room service

The program turns fans into community ambassadors helping grow the global comedy community.

🌎 THE FUTURE OF COMEDY

FunnyCon aims to become the definitive global gathering for comedy, combining:

🎤 Comedy festival
🎓 Creator conference
🏆 Annual awards show

Much like:

• Sundance for film

• SXSW for creators

• Comic-Con for pop culture

FunnyCon hopes to become the annual event where the funniest people in the world come together.