The comedy legend headlines three star-studded nights at the Hollywood Palladium starting May 7
Dave Chappelle is about to remind everyone exactly why he remains one of the most compelling entertainers alive, and this time he is doing it across three consecutive nights with a lineup that promises comedy, live music, and the kind of surprise appearances that make events like this impossible to forget.
The legendary comedian is set to headline Netflix Is a Joke Fest at the iconic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, taking over the storied venue from May 7 through May 9 for what is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about live entertainment events of the spring. The three-night run is part of Netflix’s sprawling comedy and music festival, and Chappelle’s presence at its center signals the ambition behind the whole thing.
Three nights, one legendary venue
The Hollywood Palladium is one of Los Angeles’ most storied entertainment spaces, and Chappelle‘s three-night residency there is built around the kind of programming that has defined his live presence for decades. Each night is designed to blend stand-up comedy with live music and unannounced guest appearances, creating an atmosphere where audiences genuinely will not know what is coming next.
That unpredictability has always been a hallmark of Chappelle’s live shows, and the Netflix Is a Joke Fest platform gives him both the scale and the creative freedom to deliver something that goes well beyond a traditional stand-up set. The three evenings are expected to draw some of the biggest names in both comedy and music, though specific guests have not been confirmed ahead of the shows.
For fans eager to attend, tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 29 at 10 a.m. PT. Full ticket and festival information, including details about additional shows and events throughout the festival, is available at netflixisajokefest.com. A teaser has already been released and is available to watch on YouTube for anyone looking to get a sense of what to expect.
A career that keeps making history
Chappelle arrives at this moment as arguably the most decorated comedian of his era. He is the recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which he received in 2019, and in 2025 he became the first comedian ever to receive the NAACP President’s Award — a recognition that speaks to the cultural weight his work has carried far beyond the world of stand-up.
His television legacy is anchored by Chappelle’s Show, the groundbreaking sketch comedy series that broke records as the best-selling TV-on-DVD release of its time. His Netflix comedy specials have earned him three Emmy Awards, and two additional Emmys came from his hosting appearances on Saturday Night Live in 2017 and 2021. His most recent SNL monologue ran 17 minutes, the longest in the show’s 50-year history — a moment that generated the kind of cultural conversation that only Chappelle seems able to spark.
On the music side, he has won six Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, with his most recent win coming in 2025 for The Dreamer. That combination of Emmy and Grammy recognition places him in extraordinarily rare company and reflects the breadth of an artistic identity that has never fit neatly into a single category.
What this moment means
Netflix Is a Joke Fest has established itself as one of the premier live comedy events in the country, and having Chappelle anchor three nights of its programming is a statement about where his career stands right now. After years of provocative specials, headline-generating performances, and a cultural footprint that continues to grow, he is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Hollywood Palladium will be the place to be from May 7 through May 9. For anyone who has been waiting for a reason to see Chappelle live, this is it.
Source: Netflix press release via Rohan Sheth, Multicultural Publicity