Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Overview

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, taking over the entire city every August with thousands of performances spanning comedy, theatre, dance, music, circus, and spoken word. It is Edinburgh's most defining cultural event.

Highlights

• The Sheer Scale: Over 3,000 shows in more than 300 venues across the city — from grand theatres to converted storage units, taxis, and public toilets.
• Free Street Performance: The Royal Mile becomes a continuous outdoor performance space, packed with musicians, magicians, acrobats, and comedians.
• Discovering Stars: Eddie Izzard, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and countless others were discovered at the Fringe, making every show a potential witnessing of future fame.

History

The Fringe began in 1947 when eight theatre groups showed up uninvited to perform alongside the official Edinburgh International Festival. The spirit of open access continues — anyone can register a show, with no selection committee or curation.

Visitor Tips

• Book Early, Browse Often: Book must-see shows weeks in advance, but leave schedule gaps for spontaneous discoveries — the best Fringe experiences are often unplanned.
• August Only: The Fringe runs for approximately three weeks in August. Accommodation prices surge and should be booked months ahead.
• Duration: As long as you want — entire days disappear.