Deirdre O’Kane will headline Electric Picnic’s first-ever Friday evening Comedy Arena as organisers unveil a packed comedy line-up for the 2026 festival.
For the first time in the festival’s history, the Comedy Arena will open on Friday evening, running from 6pm to 10pm on 28 August, giving festivalgoers an extra night of stand-up before the weekend programme gets underway.
Comedian and actor Deirdre O' Kane. G Holland, Shutterstock
One of Ireland’s best-known comedians, O’Kane will top the bill for the landmark opening night, bringing her signature observational humour and stories about Irish life to Stradbally.
The expanded comedy programme also features a host of Irish and international acts across the weekend, including impressionist Mario Rosenstock, musical comedian Reggie Watts, Dubliner, Rachel Galvo, Shane Todd, Vittorio Angelone, David McSavage, David Nihill, Enya Martin, Kevin McGahern, Alison Spittle, Aoife Dunne, Mike Rice and Paddy McDonnell.
Rachel Galvo
Dubliner Rachel Galvo returns to Electric Picnic after her debut performance last year. Blending raunchy humour with sharp social commentary, she explores her Catholic upbringing, awkward sexual encounters, and the life choices that have shaped her journey. It's a celebration of radical selflove and the joy of embracing imperfections.
Steve Spade
Comedy fans can also look forward to performances from Emer Maguire, Diona Doherty, Bernard Casey, Bernard O’Shea, Michael Fry, Owen Colgan, Katie Boyle, Anna Clifford, Patrick McDonnell, John Colleary, Paul Marsh, Ger Staunton, Thomas Greene, Willie White, Eric Lalor, Martin Angolo, Fred Cooke and Sinéad Quinlan.
Taran O'Sullivan
Continuing its tradition of showcasing emerging talent, the Comedy Arena will also welcome festival debut performances from Darren Gaffney, Louisa Ní Éideáin, Taran O’Sullivan, Ailish McCarthy, Ian Burke, Sadhbh McLoughlin, Breda Hegarty, Richie Bree, Simon Hennessey, Dame Stuffy, Keith Fox and Michael Roche.
Electric Picnic 2026, Line-Up at the Comedy Arena
Hosting duties throughout the weekend will be shared by comedians Damo Clark and Karl Spain.
The Comedy Arena has become one of Electric Picnic’s most popular attractions, offering everything from satire and storytelling to musical comedy and quick-fire one-liners.
The Comedy Arena will run on Friday, 28 August from 6pm to 10pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 9.30pm at Electric Picnic 2026.
