GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Gilda's Club Grand Rapids says the 16th annual community-wide festival of laughter known as LaughFest will feature more than 30 free and ticketed events from March 11 through the 15.

Gilda's Club is named after the famous Saturday Night Live actress and comedian Gilda Radner, who was an original cast member of the show. The Detroit native died from ovarian cancer in 1989.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Gilda's Club will host a special pre-festival event called "Comedy at the Club" on February 13th at 8 p.m. The 90-minute curated show will feature a lineup of West Michigan improv groups and stand-up comedians.

The annual Red Door Gala will take place March 25th at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Gilda's Club provided more details in a news release sent to WOOD Radio:

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids announced today the return of LaughFest 2026, the nation’s first community-wide festival of laughter, running March 11–15, 2026, at venues across West Michigan. The upcoming festival marks a dual milestone, celebrating the 16th year of LaughFest and the 25th anniversary of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

LaughFest 2026 will feature more than 30 free and ticketed events in Grand Rapids and at presenting sponsor Gun Lake Casino Resort in Wayland. Tickets for LaughFest events will go on sale Jan. 21, 2026, at laughfestgr.org. Ticketed events will range in price from $7-$57.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids will host a special pre-festival event, Comedy at the Club, on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. The 90-minute curated show will feature a lineup of West Michigan improv groups and stand-up comedians. Beer, wine, water, and popcorn will be available for purchase onsite. Additionally, the annual Red Door Gala will take place March 25 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

“LaughFest has always been about bringing people together through laughter while supporting a meaningful mission,” said Wendy Wigger, president and CEO of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. “As we celebrate 25 years of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, LaughFest 2026 reflects the strength of our community and the power of humor to support emotional health.”

Venues and Programming

LaughFest 2026 events will take place at The B.O.B., Midtown, Villa Banquet Bar, The Gilmore, Atwater Brewing, Wealthy Theatre, The Comedy Project, The Big Room, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and Gun Lake Casino Resort.

The LaughFest performance at Gun Lake Casino Resort will be held on Sunday, March 15, and will feature returning LaughFest artist Adam Ray, a seasoned comedian and actor hailing from Seattle renowned for his versatile performances across television, film, and digital platforms. His extensive acting credits include roles in critically acclaimed shows and movies, such as Curb

Your Enthusiasm, The Barbie Movie, MadTV, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, and The Heat, and his national theater show Dr. Phil LIVE!

The Clean Comedy Showcase returns in 2026 at The BOB during three evenings of the festival. Artists performing during the Clean Comedy Showcase include Ali Sultan, Hayden Kristal, Maggie Hughes DePalo, Mike Goodwin, and Tim Convy.

Locally produced shows include: • The Dirty Show • Misfits Variety Show • Michigan Mashup Variety Show (new to LaughFest, featuring comedic minds from across the region) • Gospel Fest • Pop Scholars • River City Improv • North Kent Comedy • Cancer Survivors Showcase • Battle Bots – Improv Comedy Show • Drums for All with Josh Dunigan • Kids Joke Time • Family Improv • Sunday Night Funnies

Red Door Gala

Following the festival, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ annual Red Door Gala on March 25, 2026, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will feature comedians Brad Upton and Tammy Pescatelli.

Proceeds from LaughFest, the pre-festival Comedy at Gilda’s, and the Red Door Gala support the free cancer and grief emotional health programs offered by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

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ABOUT GILDA’S LAUGHFEST Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. This major Midwest festival is based in Grand Rapids and includes events throughout West Michigan. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. LaughFest brings together a diverse audience of children and adults every March to honor laughter as an essential part of emotional health and wellbeing. And what better time for a laughter festival than when it’s typically cold, icy, and distinctly un-funny outside?

LaughFest is more than just a seriously good time. It also raises funds and awareness for a very important cause – Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a vibrant FREE emotional health support community of children, adults, families, and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving a death due to any cause. Proceeds from Gilda’s LaughFest and LaughFest’s High Five Campaign benefit Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

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