San Francisco Comedy Competition

Auggie Smith, Natalie Diaz, Marcus Howard — Best of the Comedy Competition with Auggie Smith

Grand Ole Opry Inducts Henry Cho

March 2, 2026

The Grand Ole Opry inducted former San Francisco Comedy Competition finalist Henry Cho as the 229th member of The Grand Ole Opry. This prestigious honor has not been extended to a comedian since 1973.

W. Kamu Bell at City Arts & Lectures

Wally Glenn

February 25, 2026

Oakland comedian and former semi-finalist W. Kamau Bell joins the extraordinary writer and comedian Adam Mansbach, best known for his Samuel L. Jackson-narrated book Go the Fuck to Sleep, to discuss humor, race, and Mansbach’s upcoming edition to his series of picture books, Go the Fuck to College.

The Final Top Five

Wally Glenn

September 21, 2025

All good things must come to an end. I don’t know why that is, but this is it, the moment we announce the winner and the final order of the Top Five.

What is the San Francisco Comedy Competition?

2026 will be our 50th year, the San Francisco Comedy Competition is an annual, multi-week, judged, stand-up comedy contest. Over thirty comedians, out of hundreds who apply, perform in shows held in comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, casinos and theaters in San Francisco and around the Bay Area. It starts in September.

What is the Best of the Comedy Competition?

The San Francisco Comedy Competition covers September, but there’s 11 more months that need great comedy.

We pull together some of the highlights of previous events and create events to give the comedians a little more time to let audiences experience their comedy magic.

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