Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding South Africa 2026
Open Mic Comedy is declining — -35% year-on-year. If the trend holds, expect it to keep cooling towa
Open Mic Comedy peaked at ~17,800 annual searches in 2023 (+79% vs 2022). 2028 is tracking ~4,890 (projected full year).
Estimated yearly searches for “open mic comedy” with a fitted trend line extended two years. 2022 & 2026 are projected to full years; the striped 2027–2028 bars and dashed line are our forecast, not measured data.
-6%YoY (2025)
17,800 (2023)Peak year
4,890 (2028)Latest year
4,890 (2028)Low year
📊Open Mic Comedy: -6% YoY (2025 vs 2024).
🔥Peak year 2023: 17,800 annual searches.
📈2028 tracking 4,890 (see chart).
📊 How PartyTrends measured this
Google Keyword Planner data, Jun 2022 – May 2026
Estimated yearly searches for “open mic comedy” with a fitted trend line extended two years. 2022 & 2026 are projected to full years; the striped 2027–2028 bars
PartyTrends — 6,037 keywords tracked nationally
What PartyTrends reads in this data
PartyTrends read: Open Mic Comedy is declining — -35% year-on-year. If the trend holds, expect it to keep cooling toward ~4,890 by 2028.
We track 4890 Google Keyword Planner keywords nationally (Jun 2022–May 2026), normalised per 1,000 people so Gauteng's population cannot buy the win. On Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding, the leader is where search intent concentrates — that is not noise, it is where South Africans are actively planning spend.
The gap between provinces is the story: coastal sundowner culture vs inland bulk retail vs KZN's own rhythm. Our team reads this as a structural preference, not a one-month blip.
December still lifts party search 40–60%; load-shedding pushes home-hosting keywords. Mr D and Uber Eats extend the same trend into delivery baskets.
Data from PartyTrends chart
Region
Value
YoY
Verdict
2022
9,923
—
Chasing
2023
17,800
—
Chasing
2024
8,310
—
Chasing
2025
7,800
—
Chasing
2026
8,062
—
Chasing
📊
Headline from the data
Open Mic Comedy peaked at ~17,800 annual searches in 2023 (+79% vs 2022). 2028 is tracking ~4,890 (projected full year).
What this means for the SA market
For the SA market, Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding splits cleanly by province. Gauteng buyers search differently to Western Cape — Sandton office parties vs Constantia home entertaining. December still spikes 40–60% on most party keywords; load-shedding pushes more home-hosting search.
Brands winning here (open mic comedy, Party City, Ace Party Supplies, Balloon Emporium) are not accidental — they match the search language we see in the raw data. Laggards are still fighting last season's format.
Methodology check: 6,037 keywords, Jun 2022–May 2026, per 1,000 people (WC 6.92m · GP 18.2m · KZN 6.37m). Open Mic Comedy is declining — -35% year-on-year. If the trend holds, expect it to keep cooling toward ~4,890 by 2028.
🏆
9923
2022
leader
📊
17800
2023
challenger
Yearly share
2022
19.1%
2023
34.3%
2024
16%
2025
15%
2026
15.5%
Key takeaways
✅Winner: See chart
🏪Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths — lead retail channels
📊Source: PartyTrends Google Keyword Planner, Jun 2022–May 2026
What the SA consumer is telling us
Search behaviour is confession. When South Africans type these keywords, they are planning a real purchase or night out — not browsing idly. Mr D and Uber Eats extend the same trend into delivery; township taerns and suburban Checkers runs show up as different keyword clusters.
Gen Z skews experience-led venues; older cohorts skew retail bulk. Both show up in our provincial split — which is why the leader leads per capita even when Gauteng wins on raw volume.
Picture a Friday in Sandton: search spikes on Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding aren't abstract — they're someone planning this week's spend. PartyTrends reads the leader as the intent leader.
Picture a Friday in Sandton: search spikes on Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding aren't abstract — they're someone planning this week's spend. PartyTrends reads the leader as the intent leader.
🔮
2028 projection
~4,890
Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding
PartyTrends linear fit on seasonally adjusted annual totals
What retailers should do
Retail playbook: At Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Woolworths, category managers should front-face related SKUs where Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sliding search is rising. PartyTrends data says stock open mic comedy, Party City, Ace Party Supplies, Balloon Emporium ahead of generic imports — local relevance wins clicks and basket size.
Promo windows: week before payday, Heritage Day long weekend, December 15–January 5. End-cap + Tops at Spar craft shelf for WC; GP needs bulk multipack + Sandton premium line.
At Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Woolworths, Spar, buyers aren't browsing — they're comparing open mic comedy, Party City, Ace Party Supplies, Balloon Emporium against last season's habits. End-cap + Tops craft shelf in WC; GP multipack + premium singles in Sandton.
🛒 Retail action — stock this
Pick n PayCheckersShopriteWoolworths
open mic comedyParty CityAce Party SuppliesBalloon Emporium
Who wins on Open Mic Comedy has peaked — and it's sl?
Share your take in the comments — this is the argument starter.
Supporting information & indicators
What we found beyond PartyTrends search data — industry signals, news, and patterns from the wider web.
The landscape of open mic comedy in South Africa is experiencing a notable decline, as evidenced by a significant decrease in estimated yearly searches. The data indicates a sharp drop of 35% year-on-year, with projections suggesting a continued cooling trend towards approximately 4,890 searches by 2028. This shift raises concerns about the sustainability of open mic events and the overall health of the comedy scene within the country.
In urban centers like Johannesburg, where the open mic culture has thrived, the changing dynamics could impact local talent and community engagement. With a variety of venues that once hosted vibrant open mic nights, the decline in interest suggests that both comedians and audiences may be seeking alternative entertainment options, necessitating a reevaluation of how these events are marketed and perceived.
Findings & patterns
Search interest in open mic comedy has fluctuated significantly over the past few years. In 2022, there were approximately 9,923 estimated annual searches, which surged to 17,800 in 2023, only to plummet to 8,310 in 2024 and further decline to 7,800 in 2025. This trend is alarming for the open mic comedy community, as it indicates diminishing public interest and participation in these events.
Joburg's entertainment scene is still home to numerous open mic venues, as highlighted in an article by Joburg.co.za, which emphasizes the importance of these spots in fostering local talent. However, the overall decline in search interest suggests that even with available venues, the engagement from potential audiences may be waning, impacting the growth of new comedians.
The Makhanda Open Mic Comedy Competition showcases emerging talent and serves as a cultural touchpoint, yet the diminishing search interest indicates that such initiatives may not be enough to reverse the trend. As reported by Grahamstown.co.za, local competitions play a crucial role in promoting comedy, but without widespread audience participation, the longevity of these events remains uncertain.
Johannesburg's comedy scene, while vibrant, faces challenges as indicated in various listings of comedy shows and clubs. As noted by JohannesburgLists.com, the city offers diverse comedic experiences, but the overall decline in open mic searches signifies that audiences may not be attending these events as frequently, calling for innovative approaches to revitalize interest.
Key indicators
📉Yearly Searches 2022Estimated searches for open mic comedy were 9,923 in 2022, indicating a previously strong interest. However, this number has drastically decreased in the following years.
📈Yearly Searches 2023The peak of interest occurred in 2023 with 17,800 estimated searches, suggesting a temporary resurgence in popularity. This spike may have been driven by specific events or promotions.
📉Yearly Searches 2024In 2024, estimated searches dropped to 8,310, reflecting a significant decline in ongoing interest. This downward trend points to potential challenges in sustaining audience engagement.
📉Yearly Searches 2025Continuing the decline, searches fell to 7,800 in 2025, reinforcing concerns about the future of open mic comedy. If the trend persists, the outlook for 2026 and beyond appears bleak.
PartyTrends read
The decline in open mic comedy interest suggests a shift in cultural engagement and entertainment preferences among South Africans. As audiences gravitate towards different forms of entertainment, the local comedy scene must adapt to retain relevance and attract new fans.
Innovative strategies, such as enhancing the experience of open mic events and leveraging social media for promotion, could help revitalize interest. Additionally, fostering community ties and creating unique themes for events may encourage greater participation and support for emerging comedians.
Laughing All the Way to Stardom - Makhanda Tourism(grahamstown.co.za)The Makhanda Open Mic Comedy Competition highlights emerging comedians and the cultural significance of open mic events in South Africa.
Top 10 Comedy Shows in Johannesburg (2026)(johannesburglists.com)Johannesburg's vibrant comedy scene includes various open mic nights, showcasing the diversity of comedic experiences available.
Top 10 Comedy Clubs in Johannesburg (2026)(johannesburglists.com)This listing emphasizes the thriving open mic comedy scene in Johannesburg and details venues hosting these events.
