iO Fest
iO Fest is a four-day comedy festival hosted by iO Theater in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, running across four stages. The festival features longform improv, sketch comedy, stand-up, experimental shows, live podcast recordings, and specialty workshops. It draws iO alumni and comedic talent from across the country.
History
iO Fest launched in 2024 as a successor to the Bentwood Comedy Festival (2018-2019), growing from 70+ acts in its inaugural year to 120+ acts by 2025. The 2026 edition marks its third annual installment.
Significance
As the largest comedy festival hosted by iO Theater, the birthplace of longform improvisation, iO Fest serves as a gathering point for both established iO alumni and contemporary performers from across the United States.
Need current dates or submissions? This is a historical archive. Visit improvfestivals.org for live festival listings.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). iO Fest. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/festivals/io-fest
The Improv Archive. "iO Fest." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/festivals/io-fest.
The Improv Archive. "iO Fest." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/festivals/io-fest. Accessed September 21, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.