YESFEST 2026 – WINDSOR’S IMPROV COMEDY FESTIVAL

Last year, you packed out our inaugural festival and stayed with us through the ups and downs. This year, the secret is officially out, and we are going bigger and better! We promised more surprises than a carnival funhouse, and we meant it.

Get ready to say “Yes, and…” to an unforgettable weekend of unscripted comedy and professional education. From high-energy mainstage acts to wild late-night antics and exclusive Pay-What-You-Can workshops with industry pros, we’ve got a massive weekend of comedy served up just for you. Plus, check out our local business crossovers, including a custom, limited-edition YESfest cookie flavour from The Cookie Bar!

MEET THE 2026 HEADLINERS:

Reid Janisse: Celebrated actor and writer seen on Amazon Prime’s smash hit The Boys and the cult comedy masterpiece Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.

Chelsea Larkin: Master character comedian, Second City Mainstage alum, and star of the hit solo show I Was Honey Boo Boo (Mama June).

Josh Murray: Dora-nominated actor, director, Second City alumnus, and pioneer of musical improv.

Chris Moody: Bringing top-tier talent all the way from Go Comedy! Improv Theatre & Planet Ant in Michigan.

The Cheeky Monkeys: Windsor’s own famed 90s improv troupe returning for a highly anticipated reunion.

THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JULY 17TH

8:00 PM – The Kickoff Bucket Show! 
Welcome to the carnival! Audience and performer names go into a bucket, names are drawn at random and we play! Local improv troupes are invited to perform here, too!

SATURDAY, JULY 18TH

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – PWYC Workshop: Unlocking the HOW with Reid Janisse 

Creating Fast Characters and Dynamic Scenes. Stop overthinking and start doing! Learn how to instantly discover bold characters and build high-energy scenes from scratch. Perfect for actors and improvisers looking to inject immediate life into their work. (Pay-What-You-Can / Donation-only)

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – PWYC Workshop: Improv with Friends with Chelsea Larkin & Eric Miinch 
Improv is always better with buddies. Join Chelsea and Eric for a fun, collaborative session focused on ensemble building, supporting your scene partners, and finding shared comedic chemistry. (Pay-What-You-Can / Donation-only)

6:00 PM – Cheeky Monkeys Reunion Show! 
The legends return! Don’t miss this nostalgic, hilarious reunion set from the troupe that laid the groundwork for Windsor’s comedy scene.  $20 a ticket (unless bundled)

8:00 PM – WIT! Mainstage Show 
Expect premium, fast-paced, top-tier improv comedy featuring the Windsor Improv Theatre mainstage crew performing right alongside our celebrity guest headliners.  $25 a ticket (unless bundled)

10:00 PM – The Late Weird Show 
A wild, late-night festival slot where our visitors and local crew push the boundaries of comedy. Expect the unexpected.  $15 a ticket (unless bundled)

HOW TO JOIN THE FUN & SECURE TICKETS:

1. Grab a Festival Bundle: Want to see it all? Grab a festival pass bundle to secure your seats for all three Saturday shows!

2. Register for Workshops: Because we operate as a non-profit, these professional workshops are entirely Pay-What-You-Can (donation-only) to ensure top-tier arts education is accessible to everyone.

3. Buy Early, Win Big: Every show ticket purchased early gets a bonus raffle ticket to win a brand-new pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, generously donated by Ouellette Avenue Eye Care Centre!

 Seating at the KordaZone Theatre is limited and demand is high for this lineup! Advanced booking is highly recommended.

 Lock in your show tickets, bundles, and free workshop registration immediately at: ahoyo.to/windsorimprovtheatre or showpass.com/yesfest-windsor-2026/