A Valentine’s Weekend Built Around Laughter: Inside SOWAL Comedy Fest 2026

By mid-February, South Walton usually knows what it wants to be: a little slower, a little softer around the edges, still shaking out winter while hinting at spring. Valentine’s weekend tends to arrive with dinner reservations, long walks, and the quiet confidence of a place that doesn’t need spectacle to feel full.

But for three nights in 2026, something else will cut through the calm.

From February 12 through 14, SOWAL Comedy Fest returns, bringing nationally recognized stand-up comedians into some of South Walton’s most intimate rooms. Formerly known as Sand Up Comedy Fest, the event has grown into a winter staple—not by getting bigger, but by staying close. Close to the audience. Close to the moment. Close to the kind of comedy that works best when there’s no distance between the stage and the room.

After two consecutive years of sold-out shows, the festival arrives this Valentine’s weekend with a subtle but notable shift: for the first time, every performance will feature reserved seating by selection. Guests can choose how they want to experience the night—front row and fully engaged, centered in the room, or tucked into a quieter corner with friends. It’s a small change, but one that reflects the festival’s guiding principle: the experience matters as much as the lineup.

Big Names, Small Rooms

The 2026 headliners carry national credits, but the rooms they’ll perform in are deliberately personal.

Peter Wong, returning for his third year, brings with him appearances on Comedy Central and Nate Bargatze’s Nateland. Anjelica Scannura, recently named a Just For Laughs “New Face of Stand-Up,” arrives after making history as the first Canadian woman to win the Boston Comedy Festival. Carter Deems, known for his work on MTV’s Wild ’N Out and writing credits that include Epic Rap Battles of History and Drop The Mic, rounds out a lineup built for sharp timing and close connection.

Each night features two showtimes—6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.—spread across three venues that have become as much a part of the festival’s identity as the performers themselves.

At SOWAL House, comedy unfolds in a room designed for listening—where the audience feels like part of the conversation. Wild Olives, located at Greenway Station, adds a lively backdrop with a full bar and food service. And Distillery 98 brings its familiar mix of craft cocktails, local art, and event energy to the weekend, reminding guests that comedy, like good spirits, benefits from the right setting.

More Than a Weekend

Proceeds from the festival support the SOWAL Foundation (SOFO), a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting local creatives. Throughout the year, SOFO produces film screenings, poetry gatherings, art exhibitions, and creative meetups at SOWAL House, with special events held monthly. The comedy festival is both a highlight and a continuation of that work—an extension of a community that values creative exchange as much as entertainment.

You can learn more and to purchase tickets at www.sowalcomedyfest.com/