About Us

Who are we?

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival was founded in 2002 by Lara Rae and CBC Radio’s Tom Anniko in partnership with the Gas Station Arts Centre (GSAC). What began as a single festival has grown into GSAC’s flagship event, featuring year-round outreach programs, rural tours, workshops, and acclaimed television broadcasts. Today, WCF continues to showcase Canada’s top comedic talent while fostering emerging voices, drawing audiences from across the country. With over 2 million viewers tuning in annually, WCF remains CBC Television’s highest-rated comedy festival series—proof that Winnipeg knows how to bring the laughs, both on stage and on screen.

Contact Us

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is produced by the Gas Station Arts Centre

GSAC
445 River Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3L 0C3
(204) 284-9477

The Gas Station Arts Centre (GSAC) is home to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival – thanks for supporting the arts! If you have any questions or concerns, leave a voice message at (204) 284-9477 or email info@winnipegcomedyfestival.com.

WCF Staff

Please do NOT email EVERYONE on this list. You will be blacklisted as spam, and we will mock you mercilessly at our staff meetings.

Volunteers

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is looking for committed, reliable, friendly individuals to volunteer at our next festival, April 29 - May 4, 2025. For more information, contact us at volunteer@winnipegcomedyfestival.com.

Check out the variety of positions available!

Audience Ambassador

You will be the first point of contact many of the festival patrons will have! Welcome guests to their venues, help them find their seats, tear tickets and answer any questions they may have. This position is an accessible position and accommodations can easily be made.

Box Office Attendant

Here you will be selling and redeeming tickets! This position requires that you are comfortable handling money and completing the appropriate administrative tasks required to open and close a box office. Training is provided. Note: There is one step up into the GSAC Box Office

Patio Host

Be part of the WCF Patio! Greet patrons, check ID’s, help patrons find seats etc. This position may require heavy lifting, and requires volunteers are outside for some or all of their shifts.

Airport Ambassador

Great for folks who are outgoing and enjoy engaging the public. Promote the festival to airport guests and liaise with the transportation crew to ensure efficient transportation of festival guests to and from their hotels. These shifts require that volunteers are available during the day, and are comfortable working independently.

Sponsors

Code of Conduct

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is dedicated to creating an environment that is safe, welcoming, accessible, and respectful. We value your attendance and want you to enjoy your Winnipeg Comedy Festival experience as much as possible. 

We have implemented the following code of conduct:

We are committed to ensuring all participants - artists, audience members, staff, and volunteers - experience events and attend venues free from harassment, hostility, abuse, homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, bullying, discrimination, humiliation, disruption, and disrespectful behaviour, including inappropriate physical contact, offensive verbal interaction, and unwelcome sexual attention. We will remove any patrons, performers, or community members who violate these terms.

Put your best self forward, verbally and physically, online and in-person. Be kind, and considerate. Be nice. Comedy is supposed to be fun.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 Territory, the home and traditional lands of Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), and Dakota peoples, and in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We also acknowledge that Manitoba is located on the Treaty Territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations.

We respect the spirit and intent of Treaties and Treaty Making and remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Acknowledging this truth is important to the Gas Station Arts Centre, yet we acknowledge that it is only a small part of cultivating and protecting strong relationships with Indigenous communities. We continue to consult and work with all Indigenous people of Canada to learn, grow, and do better as a community gathering site, and as an incubator for the Arts.

Book a WCF Show

Want to book your own Winnipeg Comedy Festival Show? Our COMEDY2GO program works with you to select the right comic for your needs. Whether it's a corporate event, convention, Christmas party or annual fundraiser, we have access to Canada's best comedy talent. Overwhelmed? Overworked? You can even access our planning expertise and leave the whole night to us!

Booking with the Winnipeg Comedy Festival comes with great incentives like free tickets and merchandise to help you raise funds or simply brighten up your event. We can pair you with the comedy show that suits your room and your budget. Email info@winnipegcomedyfestival.com for more info.