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Looking for a night of laughs before the holidays? NJPAC in Newark has a strong run of stand up on the calendar from late November into December 2026, including a Thanksgiving weekend showcase. Here are the comedy shows coming to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
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Matt McCusker: The Healing Frequency Tour
- Town: Newark
- Where: Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- When: Friday, November 20, 2026, 8 p.m.
Matt McCusker, known to fans as The Shaman, brings his tour to Prudential Hall. He co hosts Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, and his stand up digs into masculinity, wellness, relationships and fatherhood.
His specials include A Humble Offering on Netflix and The Speed of Light on YouTube. NJPAC does not list an age advisory, so check the event page before bringing younger guests.
Nataly Aukar
- Town: Newark
- Where: Victoria Theater, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 8 p.m.
Nataly Aukar was named one of Vulture’s hot new comics to watch in 2025, and her act draws on her family, her fears and her flaws. She has performed at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival and Don’t Tell Comedy.
She has opened for Nimesh Patel, Ramy Youssef, Hasan Minhaj, Gad El Maleh and Mo Amer, and she co hosts the podcast Please Continue.
Thanksgiving Comedy Fest
- Town: Newark
- Where: Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 8 p.m.
NJPAC bills its Thanksgiving Comedy Fest as a cornucopia of comedy superstars for a night out with family and friends over the holiday weekend. The lineup features Bill Bellamy, Luenell, Mark Curry and Tacarra Williams.
Bellamy is known for Def Comedy Jam and Insecure, Luenell for Borat and A Star Is Born, Mark Curry for Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and Williams for a Comedy Central special produced by Kevin Hart. NJPAC lists the show as adults only.
Ron Taylor
- Town: Newark
- Where: Victoria Theater, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- When: Thursday, December 10, 2026, 8 p.m.
Ron Taylor won the first season of the Netflix stand up competition hosted by Kevin Hart, after about fifteen years of sharpening his act. His debut special, Avalanche, is streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
A VIP Meet and Greet add on is available through the event page for fans who want a little more time with the comic after the show.
The event pages also link to parking through ParkWhiz and dinner reservations at Nico Kitchen and Bar inside NJPAC. For more ways to spend a night out, keep an eye on Shop Essex County as we round up what is happening around Essex County.
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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