A laughing matter: ABQ Funny Fiesta 2026 highlights homegrown talent, including headlining comic Marc Maron

No matter what makes you laugh, Albuquerque Funny Fiesta’s got you covered. From stand-up to burlesque to sketch comedy and improv, the annual comedy festival, now in its sixth year, boasts 101 performers and every flavor of “funny” imaginable.

Funny Fiesta kicks off Monday, March 2, and culminates with headliner Marc Maron’s Kiva Auditorium performance on Sunday, March 8. Maron, who grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from Highland High School, has released five hit stand-up comedy specials throughout his career, including last year’s “Marc Maron: Panicked” on HBO. He is also known for his pioneering podcast series, “WTF with Marc Maron,” whose guests have included everyone from Mel Brooks to former President Barack Obama.

“This year, we are doing a huge focus on the Route 66 centennial, so we’ve made a point to include comics who are mostly local to New Mexico,” Kate Anella, program director, said, “and the out-of-town comics we’ve included in the festival all have ties to New Mexico in some way, including our festival headliner, Marc Maron.”

While past editions of Funny Fiesta have been spread out across the city, Anella said this year’s festival will take place at eight Downtown venues.

“All of our venues are going to be in the Downtown neighborhood, which I hope helps spotlight the greatness of that area,” Anella said, “and it is all totally walkable, which is awesome.”

Local improv comic Dana Agatha is performing with three groups at the Funny Fiesta this year. One half of the comedy duo Future Women, Agatha is also part of The Box’s long-form improv team, The Nightcap, and a cast member in Nan Kossar’s Salem Witch Trials-themed musical comedy, “Pearl.”

Future Women will present an improv concept called Hot or Not, which they invented.

“We take people’s suggestions of what they think is hot or not, like what’s in or out … So, someone shouts out, ‘Pineapple on pizza is hot’ … and then something that’s not hot, like ‘cold weather’ … Then, we would do a scene with those suggestions,” Agatha said. “So, maybe we are two slices of cold pizza. That’s where my brain would go. And I’d be like, ‘It’s freezing in the fridge right now. When is Adam gonna eat us?’”

Albuquerque-based stand-up comic AJ Matthews has been obsessed with comedy since childhood. He said he used to secretly watch Dave Chapelle’s stand-up specials on his portable PlayStation in church.

“My mom would sit at one end of the pew with my siblings, and I’d sit a couple seats down. … I would put in my earphones, turn it on and hunch over with it in my lap, just watching,” Matthews said. “To this day, I don’t think she knew I was watching Dave Chappelle in church.”

Matthews is performing at Funny Fiesta for the fifth year in a row.

“It’s always a wonderful time,” he said. “You get to meet so many comedians from all over the country, you get all these great connections and you get an opportunity to show your craft off to your city — which is nice, because we have a good scene here.”

This time around, Matthews is participating in “The Crypt Keeper’s Comedy Hour” and “The Mother Deck,” a Route 66-themed comedy slideshow experience.

“We’ve got 27 different shows during the festival, so we’re hoping there will be something for everybody,” Anella said. “We’ve got a blue show specifically for those who want a racier kind of comedy. We’ve got a brunch show for those who want calmer, daytime comedy, and we’ve even got some concept shows, (including) ‘Your Rong,’ which is a debate comedy show that’s always a good time.”

Hannah Joy is another local comic — and a member of Funny Fiesta’s planning committee — who will be performing in three shows this year.

“I’m doing one show called ‘God Save the Queens,’ which is a really funny concept show. … The comedians go up and have three to five minutes to do a joke. Then, the panel of judges are drag queens who nitpick your little set and make a big joke about it,” Joy said.

Joy isn’t too afraid of the judges hurting her feelings.

“I love a good roast … and drag queens are the best roasters out there,” Joy said. “So, I think it’s going to be really fun.”

On Friday, March 6, Joy will open for Anthony A, a nationally touring comedian who’s making his hometown return at Moonlight Lounge.

“He’s one of our OG’s,” Joy said. “So, I’m really looking forward to that show.”

Joy moved to Albuquerque from Dallas about four years ago. In that time, she said Albuquerque’s comedy scene has grown a lot, but it still remains friendly and supportive.

“I think it’s perfect, because there’s a lot more opportunities to do comedy, and we’re still growing,” Joy said, “but we also have a really good, close community.”

Logan Royce Beitmen is an arts writer for the Albuquerque Journal. He covers visual art, music, fashion, theater and more. Reach him at lbeitmen@abqjournal.com or on Instagram at @loganroycebeitmen.