This September, there is a new reason to make the drive up from Phoenix: for the first time, the Big Laughs Comedy Festival is coming to Sedona.
From September 17 to 20, 2026, more than 25 comedians will take over stages across town for a long weekend of stand-up, late-night sets, live podcast tapings, industry panels, open mics, and more. If your idea of a perfect Sedona weekend has always been a hike at sunrise and a great meal at sunset, this is the year to add a third act: laughing until it hurts under a sky full of stars.
But Big Laughs Fest is about more than simply putting comedians on stage. At its heart is the idea that laughter can bring people together, create connection, and give people a chance to step away from the pressures of everyday life.
“Big Laughs Fest is such a fun addition to Sedona’s already vibrant event scene, bringing comedians and comedy lovers together to experience our community in a completely different way. With showcases happening at venues throughout Sedona and Cottonwood, including several Chamber member businesses, the festival gives visitors another reason to explore, connect and enjoy everything that makes this area special. We would love to see Big Laughs Fest continue to grow and become another signature Sedona event that people recognize and look forward to year after year, much like our film festival and other incredible arts and cultural events that have become part of Sedona’s identity.”
- Kara Barnes
Events & Programs Manager
The Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce
Comedy in the Red Rocks
Big Laughs Fest is built around a simple idea: a festival feels different when the setting is unforgettable. Rather than pack everything into one room, the festival spreads across eight-plus stages throughout Sedona, from proper theaters to neighborhood coffee shops. You might catch a rising headliner in one venue and wander into a live podcast taping or a networking mixer in the next.
Between sets, you can stretch your legs, grab a bite, and take in the kind of view that only Sedona offers. It is comedy with the red rocks as a backdrop, and that combination is exactly the point.
The lineup runs deep, with new names added regularly, and the programming reaches well beyond traditional stand-up. Expect showcases, an open mic for anyone brave enough - aptly named “So You Think You're a Comedian” - a film screening, a Mental Health and Comedy panel, Yoga , and late-night sets once the sun goes down.
It all adds up to something the festival set out to build from the start: a space where comedians can shine, audiences can laugh freely, and the wider comedy community can keep growing.
Why Sedona Says Yes to This
Sedona has always drawn creative people. The galleries, the music, the artists who put down roots here precisely because the landscape gets under your skin - all of it points to a town that runs on imagination. A comedy festival fits that energy naturally. Comedians are storytellers at heart, and Sedona has never been short on inspiration.
There is also something about Sedona itself that makes it the perfect setting for comedy. The landscape has a way of changing how people see things - and sometimes, that is exactly what a good comedy show does.
September also happens to be a wonderful time to experience it. The shoulder season brings milder days, softer crowds at the trailheads, and evenings made for being outside. A festival weekend gives visitors a reason to linger a little longer and gives locals a reason to rediscover their own backyard.
Make a Weekend of It
The best festival trips are the ones that spill over into everything else Sedona does well. Build your days around the shows and fill the gaps with the classics. Catch sunrise on a red rock trail, browse the galleries in the afternoon, and settle in for a memorable dinner before the evening sets begin.
A quick word on the land that makes all of this possible. Sedona's trails and red rock country are beloved because visitors help keep them that way. If you are heading out to hike between shows, pack out what you pack in, stay on marked trails, and give the desert the same respect that keeps it worth returning to. A little stewardship goes a long way toward keeping Sedona feeling like Sedona.
Plan Your Visit
Here is the practical rundown for your weekend:
When: September 17–20, 2026
Where: Red Canyon Grounds, 4200 Red Canyon Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, plus eight-plus stages around town
Who: 25+ comedians, live podcasts, panels, open mics, and a film screening
Passes: Weekend and VIP options are available at biglaughsfest.com
Where to stay: The Aiden by Best Western is the festival's host hotel, with a discount available for attendees
Good to know: All ages are welcome before 9 PM, with late-night sets reserved for the 18+ crowd
For the full lineup, schedule, and tickets, visit www.biglaughsfest.com or follow along at @biglaughsfest on Instagram
