Blue Whale Comedy Festival returned this weekend to the Tulsa Arts District for its 11th annual celebration of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy.
This year’s lineup showcased a mix of nationally recognized headliners and breakout talent, including Chris Fleming, Demetri Martin, Melissa Villaseñor, Wolves of Glendale, Jay Jurden, Ehsan Ahmad and Conor Janda.
Throughout the four-day festival, more than 75 national and regional stand-up comedians and improv performers took the stage at venues including Cain’s Ballroom, Lowdown and Chimera.
Melissa Villaseñor performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival inside Cain’s Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Demetri Martin performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Wolves of Glendale perform at Blue Whale Comedy Festival inside Cain’s Ballroom on Aug. 21 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Peter Revello opens for Demetri Martin at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Jay Jurden performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Haley Parker performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa’s Evan Hughes performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit” Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Ben Stewart opens for Melissa Villaseñor at Blue Whale Comedy Festival inside Cain’s Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa’s Sydney Alison performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Bailey Gilmore performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Jack Allen records a live set at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Armando Rivera performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival on Aug. 22, 2026. Credit: Zac Thomas for Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsan Adam Bush performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival’s Next Wave showcase inside Cain’s Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Tyrone Burston performs at Blue Whale Comedy Festival’s Next Wave showcase inside Cain’s Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
The festival also featured Tulsa-based comedians making their mark locally and on the road. Read our profiles of Kels Cooper and Adam Bush.
Disclosure: Armando Rivera is the Tulsa Flyer’s social media editor and a performer at Blue Whale Comedy Festival. He did not participate in coverage of the festival.
News decisions at the Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
