Rising Comedy returns to Tampere with debut shows and inclusive line-up

The four-day Rising Comedy festival returns to Tampere city centre from 26 to 29 August, putting emerging Finnish stand-up acts and special projects on stages across the city. Aamulehti reported the event revives a festival last held about ten years ago and targets a younger audience, challenging the stereotype that stand-up is mainly middle-aged men telling bad mother-in-law jokes.

Shows will take place at Teerenpeli restaurant, Onda Music & Arts Cafe and Dam Bar, and will include all finalists of the Year 2026 stand-up newcomer competition. Highlights include a dress rehearsal of Laura Haimila and Ursula Herlin’s new Pari juttuu tour at Onda. Another highlight is the debut of Nauravammat, Finland’s first collective of comedians with disabilities, featuring visually impaired Tommi Vänni, wheelchair user Niko Leppänen and hearing-impaired guest Miika Linna.

Club hosts across the festival are Jukka Lindström, Jape Grönroos, Leo Viking Holmström and Saana Peltola.