Great Outdoors Comedy Festival's founder on how love and laughter go hand-in-hand

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This summer, the GTA is getting in on the joke. The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is known and loved all across Canada, and it's making its 2026 Ontario debut from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13 at Erindale Park in Mississauga.

The festival is committed to connecting people with nature while providing a high-energy, welcoming guest experience — and of course, delivering some laughs in the process.

But beyond the big stages and big names, the festival was born from something far more personal.

How it all started

Founder and Chief Comedy Officer Mike Anderson first came up with the idea of something "big and grandiose — like a comedy Coachella" in 2018. This was compounded when Mike lost his mother and found therapy in comedy while processing his grief.

great outdoor comedy fest "If I didn't laugh, I'd cry," he tells blogTO in an exclusive interview.

The festival gained momentum during the COVID-19 years when people were gathering together outdoors. Mike found that along with catharsis, guests also relished in human connection and a sense of togetherness through shared laughter.

"After being labelled 'non-essential' during shutdowns, the team felt a responsibility to be good humans, and use the festival as a vehicle for impact."

The outdoor impact

Park Ranger Donovan, front-gate host and crowd warm-up personality, says the format promotes joy and positivity on a mass scale, "but with an intimate feel because of the outdoor layout, and how guests are welcomed and guided."

great outdoor comedy fest An outdoor setting feels closer, warmer, and more connected, without skimping out on big sound, big lights, and large video elements. Simply put, there's no bad seat in the house, and audience proximity keeps the crowd close to the stage to preserve the intimacy that stand-up is known for.

Mike explains that over the years, performers have arrived expecting the outdoor format not to work, and leave feeling impressed. In fact, Bill Burr reportedly called the outdoor format one of the best shows he's ever done.

It also means that guest-first accessibility can be at the forefront.

"Accessibility isn't an add-on. It's the experience," says Park Ranger Donovan. For him, this means making people feel cared for and included as soon as they arrive and bringing guests with mobility limits out of long lines and into a setup that's easier and more comfortable.

Know before you go

Comedy is having a cultural resurgence, and audiences are hungry for smart, thoughtful material that goes beyond cheap jokes to speak to current realities. If you want to turn off the noise of the world for a few days to be present and outdoors with other people, then the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival in Mississauga is the place to be.

great outdoor comedy fest Headliners are being announced on an ongoing basis, but big names like John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Hasan Minhaj, and Ronny Chieng are already confirmed.

It's all about checking your worries at the door and having a good time. "We’ll take care of you — just relax and enjoy the moment," says Mike.

All tickets are on sale now. Individual shows tend to sell out, so be sure to mark your calendars. Or better yet, opt for the weekend pass and get five amazing shows for one low price.