AN EVENING of laughter could be just the thing to chase the winter chills away and where better to do it than on the Airlie Beach foreshore, overlooking the Coral Sea.

The Whitsunday Reef Festival Comedy Gala is due to take place tonight and for the first time in the festival's 16 years, it is happening in the new Festival Marquee, alongside Airlie Creek.

The marquee has played a major part in this year's activities, acting as Festival "Central" and hosting all manner of events, from a Mexican party to Latin dancing and a pop-up bar for sunset drinks.

Performing at the Comedy Gala is Queensland-based comedian Michael Bennett, who has headlined many major comedy events around the country.

He has a distinctive style, weaving his talented skills of magic and balloon artistry into his thought-provoking messages and comedy performances.

Fiona McGary, meanwhile, is a talented comedienne who has performed all over Australia and has also appeared on the ABC, The Comedy Channel and recently Channel 7's FMVTV Comedy series.

Event co-ordinator Ellen Kerr said Fiona's unique style was perfect for the tropical vibe of the Reef Festival and her warm delivery and observations of everyday life immediately made the audience feel very relaxed.

"We are very excited to have these two talented comedians performing and we are looking forward to a great night in the Festival Marquee on the foreshore," she said.

Drinks and food will be available from 6pm and the show starts at 7pm.

SIDE SPLITTERS

What: Whitsunday Reef Festival Comedy Gala

Where: Festival Marquee on the foreshore

When: Tonight from 7pm

Cost: $25 per person

Tickets: whitsundaytickets.com.au