The 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor Award Show
Thursday, May 7 | Columbus College of Art & Design (Canzani Center)
Join us for a spectacular evening of laughter, surprises, fun, and frivolity!
About the Award Show
Awarded annually, the Thurber Prize for American Humor is one of the highest recognitions of humor writing and cartooning in the United States.
The Thurber Prize is presented each year in James Thurber’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. During this spectacular evening of humor, attendees are entertained with a host of hilarious surprises, including appearances from the finalists/winners.
The award show culminates with the announcement of the winners of the Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing and Cartoon Art, followed by a celebratory after-party.
A Signature Fundraiser
The Thurber Prize celebrates humor, writing, and cartoon art on a national scale. It is also a vital fundraiser for Thurber House. For over 41 years, Thurber House has been an inclusive, empowering, and joyful place for people to come together, learn from each other, express themselves, and return that positive impact to the world.
Past Thurber Prize Honorees Include:
Roz Chast, Paul Noth, Alexandra Petri, S.E. Boyd, Steven Rowley, James McBride, Damon Young, Simon Rich, Patricia Lockwood, Trevor Noah, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Barry, Alan Zweibel, David Sedaris, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, Ian Frazier, and The Onion.
2026 Thurber Prize Host John Kenney
Fan favorite and New York Times bestselling author John Kenney is back for another round of hilarious roasts and celebratory toasts!
John won the 2014 Thurber Prize for his novel Truth in Advertising and was a 2019 finalist for Love Poems for Married People. He’s published three novels and four collections of humorous poetry and has contributed to The New Yorker since 1999. This is his third time hosting the award show.
2026 Finalists in Writing
The 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing finalists are:
Feh by Shalom Auslander
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
You can read more about the writing finalists here.
Judging is still underway for the 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor in Cartoon Art.
Event Details
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‣ 6:00 pm | Private VIP Reception
Doors open at 5:45 pm.
This private reception in the gallery is open to sponsors, host committee members, VIP ticket holders, and special guests only. Attendees will receive two drink tickets per person.
‣ 7:15 pm | Award Show
Doors open for general admission at 6:30 pm.
Grab your beverage of choice from the cash bar, sit back, and let us entertain you!
‣ 9:00 pm (ish) | After-Party
All attendees are invited to cap off the evening at our celebratory after-party. We’ll have musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and plenty of merriment!
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‣ General Admission | $60
This ticket includes:
Admission to the award show
Admission to the after-party
The fair market value of this ticket is $30.
‣ VIP Admission | $125
This ticket includes:
Admission to the private VIP reception (with two drink tickets)
Admission to the award show (with reserved seat)
Admission to the after-party
The fair market value of this ticket is $40.
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‣ Location
The event will take place at the Columbus College of Art & Design’s Canzani Center (60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215).
‣ Parking
Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the building. Click here for a map (the Canzani Center is building 1).
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The overall vibe for the event will be funky, fun, colorful, and festive. Standard cocktail attire will be completely appropriate, as well as artsy and playful looks, and anything with festive flair. We encourage our guests to express their own individuality.
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All event areas have step-free access. Please contact us if you need to reserve wheelchair seating in the auditorium.
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Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.