Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?

There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.

Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.

Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy. 

Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577. 

Plan your concert season: Which shows are coming in 2026?

Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days. 

Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.

With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.” 

The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.

Firefly festival’s wild fan stories: Tales you’ve never heard from Dover

Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”    

Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.

Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”

Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.

Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton

No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038

Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.

The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.

There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.

Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.

Delaware on TV: This popular TV show invented Dover University in latest season

Aries Spears, Wilmington

The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.  

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Siddiq Kamara was sworn in on Monday as the new sheriff of Delaware County, marking a milestone he said he never imagined before a family tragedy pushed him toward public service.

Kamara, who won nearly 63% of the vote in November, greeted supporters as he arrived in uniform.

“I haven’t gotten to wear a uniform like this in a long time,” he said before the ceremony.

Moments later, he reflected on the weight of the day, saying he was “just trying to let everything sink in.”

The moment became real as he took the oath of office — a role he said he could not have foreseen before August 27, 2021.

“August 2021 changed my family’s life forever,” Kamara said. That was when 8-year-old Fanta Bility, his cousin, was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game.

“When I got the call that I lost my cousin, that’s a call that nobody should ever feel. And at that moment, something had to be done,” Kamara said.

Drawing on his experience as a police officer, National Guard member, and employee of the attorney general’s office, Kamara pushed for increased training within the Sharon Hill Police Department. That effort could expand statewide through legislation known as “Fanta’s Law.”

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said he is optimistic about the bill’s future, calling it “one of the rare cases where you have bipartisan support around this bill.”

Supporters said Kamara brings a valuable perspective as the son of Liberian immigrants.

“People see themselves in him, and it’s great to have that type of representation,” said Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council.

Anthony Moss, of Laborers’ Local 413, added, “I just think he’s going to bring a lot of things. A lot of good things.”

At 30, Kamara noted his place in history.

“I’m the youngest sheriff in America,” he said while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd inside the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.

Among those watching was his aunt, Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother.

“He fought for Fanta. I’m so happy for that. To get this position, I’m so happy,” she said.

Kamara pledged to honor that responsibility.

“I’ll make this promise to you guys. I promise to serve with integrity, accountability, and to make sure everybody in Delaware County is protected and served equally,” he said.

Kamara said his faith guides him, noting that his swearing-in also marked another milestone: he is the first Muslim sheriff in Delaware County.

He said he plans to focus on improving training within the department, modernizing the office and expanding community outreach.

As the winter holidays fade to memory, most Delaware schools should be heating back up.

In the Wilmington area, two Catholic schools – Archmere and Nativity Prep – have announced new leadership at their highest ranks. And in the same city this spring, the YMCA of Delaware is slated to bring its new Early Learning Academy on the East Side.

Also just ahead of the new year, Delaware Community Foundation announced open applications for some 82 scholarships. Last year, that meant more than $850,000 in aid for Delaware students.

In this weekly roundup, we’ll catch you up on these and other education stories you may have missed.

(Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com)

Wilmington will soon see a new YMCA Early Learning Academy

YMCA of Delaware is looking to inject more affordable child care into Delaware’s largest city.

As previously reported, the Community Education Building – or a Wilmington high-rise packed with four schools, seven nonprofits, some 1,500 students and family services – is bringing its new, 11,000-square-foot Youth Development Center next door, on Wilmington’s East Side. And thanks to this partnership, it will now include a YMCA Early Learning Academy.

Launching this spring, the academy will gear up to serve up to 100 children, according to a press release, from infancy through pre-K. Enrollment begins Jan. 5, according to the YMCA.

The academy will “focus on nurturing academic readiness, social-emotional development, and lifelong confidence during the most critical years of child development,” according to the nonprofit. All said, the goal is to ensure each child gets “a strong start.”

The overall youth center came together with well over $20 million in funding, fueling aims for athletic facilities, spaces for workforce development programs, an early learning center and more near the 1200 block of Wilson St.