You don't have to travel far to catch a show at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. From opening night celebrations at Palais Theatre and hilarious pub crawl through St Kilda, to the festival edition of Melbourne's longest running comedy night, here's our guide to the best comedy shows in the South. 

The Comedy Crawl (UK), St Kilda

Five comedians. Four bars. One hilarious day. Laugh and drink your way around St Kilda on the most hilarious pub crawl in town, with some of the best festival comedians has popping up at each venue. With drinks specials and prize giveaways happening throughout the day. 

Friday 29 March, then every Saturday and Sunday from 29 March to 21 April, at 2 pm,  Ellora, 1 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda 

The Scientwits Lights, Camera... Chaos!, Albert Park

The Scientwits are back with their brand-new show! This time, Science Sam is attempting to broadcast a serious science TV show but typically, Captain Chaos has other ideas. There will be science, there will be magic. There will be parts of Science Sam on fire, again. Don’t miss this rollicking, high-energy blend of science and comedy, suitable for audiences from 4 to 4,000,000. 

Tuesday 2 April at 3 pm; Wednesday 3 April to Saturday 6 April at 11 am and 2 pm, Gasworks Arts Park Studio Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park

Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow, St Kilda

Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow is the ultimate kick-off to nearly four weeks of uninterrupted comedy brilliance! Prepare to be dazzled by a star-studded line-up featuring comedy royalty from around the globe, as well as a special few of the soon-to-be-stars guaranteed to be making waves in April. Hosted by Guy Montgomery. 

Wednesday 27 March, 7.30 pm at Palais Theatre. 

Aaron Chen, Funny Garden, St Kilda

He's a Melbourne Comedy Fest Class Clown, Best Newcomer and Director's Choice Awards  winner,  George the probate clerk in Fisk and a Season 2 Taskmaster entrant. And he's still found time to do a show at Palais Theatre. Don't miss Aaron Chen at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Friday 5 to 14 April, at 6 pm (Sundays) and 7 pm (all other days), Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda. 

Local Laughs, St Kilda

A hand-picked selection of local comedy treats + a sprinkling of the Festival's finest = one of the sweetest comedy showcases around. Hugely popular with comedians and audience alike, you’re guaranteed top laughs at one of Melbourne’s best comedy venues.  Find out why Local Laughs has an international reputation and – at 20 years – is the longest running weekly comedy night in Melbourne.

Monday 1, 8 and 15 April, at 8.30 pm, Local Taphouse, 184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East. 

Joel Temperly, 110% Jokes, St Kilda

Joel Temperly has some jokes he would very much like to tell you. Jokes about his hometown, old job, living situation, girlfriend, family and a whole lot of other stuff. There isn't a theme, a message, nor an agenda. It's all jokes and this being the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, he thought it was as good a time as any to tell them to you. What a lovely fella! 

Wednesday 27 March to Saturday 20 April, 7 pm (Wednesday to Sunday) and 9.30 pm (Tuesdays), at St Kilda Cellar and Wine Bar, 45 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. 

Melbourne Comedy Festival at Golden Gate Hotel, South Melbourne

Iconic South Melbourne pub, Golden Gate Hotel, is a hub for local talent at this year's festival.  Venture to the dark side, with the twisted humour of The Dark Comedy Special or explore the hilarious results of ruthless events and poor choices with Kim Da Cruz & Lisa Doherty in Princesses of the Pines.  The Best Of features the funniest professional comedians who got their start at the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School, or watch the up-and-coming graduates in The Insecuribles: A Variety of Anxiety. Dog owners and lovers: don't miss Mad Dogs and an Englishman, the first comedy show about canine behaviour. Find out what our four-legged friends actually think (and what they think of us) with internationally-renowned dog training expert Tony Knight.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Golden Gate Hotel, 238 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne is on from Friday 29 March to Sunday 21 April. Explore the program.