Cannon Beach Comedy Festival Returns to Laugh It Up on North Oregon Coast

Published 02/24/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Never has Cannon Beach been such a kick in the pants. Well, not since last year, anyway.

The 6th Annual Cannon Beach Comedy Festival returns to the Oregon coast March 13 - 14, 2026, bringing a standout lineup of nationally touring comics to the north Oregon coast's Coaster Theatre. This year’s bill features Kurt Braunohler, Chris Gethard, Mia Jackson, and Mohanad Elshieky, all performing in the heart of laidback Cannon Beach. There's even an open mic this time around.

But wait, there's more.

Program director Andrew Tonry told Oregon Coast Beach Connection there are other comics still to be announced. A host of others are TBA at this point.

“We’ve announced our four co-headliners. They’re coming from Los Angeles and New York City,” he said. “They are Kurt Braunohler, Chris Gethard, Mia Jackson and Mohanad Elshieky. We do our best to bring in a variety of different styles and voices to Cannon Beach and we’re ecstatic about the phenomenal comedians performing this year.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each night with first-come, first-served seating. Beer and wine will be available in the lobby from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Coaster Theatre is located at 108 North Hemlock Street.

The festival weekend actually kicks off a day early with an open-mic night on Thursday, March 12, at a location still to be announced. The free event invites anyone - seasoned comics, first-timers, or anyone with a funny story - to take the stage. Sign-ups begin at 7:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. The open mic is 21+.

Organizers said festivalgoers will find plenty of nearby spots for a pre-show drink or dinner. The Warren House, The Driftwood, Bill’s Tavern, Cannon Beach Smokehouse and The Bistro are just a sampling.

Produced by the nonprofit Tolovana Arts Colony and supported by a Tourism and Arts grant from the City of Cannon Beach, the festival keeps ticket prices low and avoids the usual add-ons – which means no drink minimums, no surprise fees. It's an easy getaway too, just 75 miles from Portland and set in one of Oregon’s most beloved beach towns.

The event started in 2017, then took a break just before and after COVID, resuming in 2023.

Adam Pasi / courtesy photo

Tonry said it began with his move to the beach.

“The Cannon Beach Comedy Festival started because after moving to the coast I was missing stand up,” Tonry said. “At the time the festival first started, humbly, back in 2017 there wasn't really any stand up on the North Coast. The festival took a few breaks, so while this is the sixth annual edition, we haven’t run every year since 2017. This year is the fourth straight year.”

Now, it's blossomed into a standout festival on its own: there isn't really anything like it on the rest of the coastline.

“We couldn’t put on such a great festival without the support of the City of Cannon Beach’s Tourism and Arts commission,” he said.

About the comics:

Kurt Braunohler is a stand up comedian and actor known for his offbeat stunts and roles in films like The Big Sick, Long Shot, and Barbarian, along with appearances on numerous TV comedies. His latest special Perfectly Stupid earned praise from the New York Times, and he co hosts the popular strange news podcast Bananas.

Mia Jackson is a Georgia born, New York based comedian whose sharp storytelling has led to writing credits on Life and Beth and I Love Us, along with half hour specials on MGM Plus and Comedy Central. She also narrates VH1s My Celebrity Dream Wedding and appears frequently on Dont Tell Comedy and Nateland Presents.

Chris Gethard is a comedian, actor, and writer best known for hosting the long running Chris Gethard Show. He also hosts the podcasts Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People and New Jersey is the World.

Mohanad Elshieky is a Libyan-born, New York based comedian whose laid back but incisive style has been featured on Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central, and This American Life. His 2025 special No Need to Address Me received strong critical acclaim, and he is a regular performer at the Comedy Cellar.

Steven Wilber is a surrealist comedian whose elaborate fictional backstory and eccentric characters shape his uniquely bizarre stage presence. His work blends absurdism, theatricality, and a commitment to comedic chaos.

David Tveite is a Portland-based comedian from Minnesota whose cleverly crafted, cheerfully pessimistic stand up has taken him to NBCs Last Comic Standing and festivals across the country. His material mixes absurdity, crankiness, and sharp wit in a way audiences consistently enjoy.

See the website for tickets.

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