Event Details
Get ready for a full week of laughs, talent, and culture as the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival returns for Valentine’s Weekend 2026. Presented by Inspired Artists in association with Erroll Jackson Enterprise, this multi-day comedy showcase highlights some of the funniest rising and established Black comedians in the Bay and beyond.
From high-energy preliminaries to intense semifinals and a show-stopping finale, this festival celebrates comedy, storytelling, and community — all on one iconic stage.
✨ What to expect:
🎭 Multiple nights of live stand-up comedy competition
😂 Preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds featuring top comedians
🏆 Awards reception honoring standout performers
💘 Valentine’s Weekend entertainment with nonstop laughs
📅 February 10–15, 2026
🎟️ Tickets on sale January 2, 2026
🗓️ Event Schedule:
Finals Kickoff – Tues, Feb 10 | 7:00 PM (“Unfinished Business”)
Preliminaries – Wed, Feb 11 & Thurs, Feb 12 | 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Semifinals – Fri, Feb 13 & Sat, Feb 14 | 8:00 PM
Awards Reception – Sun, Feb 15 | 5:00 PM
Competition Finals – Sun, Feb 15 | 7:00 PM
📍 Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts
10 10th Street, Oakland, CA
🎟️ Tickets & Info: hjkarts.org
If you love comedy, competition, and cultural celebration, this is a must-attend Bay Area event. Come laugh, support the artists, and witness comedy history in the making! 🎉😂
