All you need to know about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
What is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Established in 1947, when eight theatre groups gatecrashed the official Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe has grown into the largest arts festival in the world, taking place each year in the Scottish capital (though naturally it's been a bit disrupted by the pandemic).
When does it take place?
It runs every year in August; this year's dates are 5 – 29 August.
How big is big?
Thousands of shows, and hundreds of venues across the city. That makes it the biggest arts festival ever!
What can I see there?
There is a massive range of choice at the Edinburgh Fringe, with the three largest genres this year being comedy, theatre and music. From stand-up comedy to Shakespeare to musicals to site-specific shows inside shipping containers, there's something for everyone. There are venues dedicated to dance, cabaret in a (upside-down) cow and we once saw a Beckett play in a toilet.
A Beckett play in a toilet?
Long story.
OK, so how do I decide what to see?
With so much to choose from it can all be a little daunting; look out for 'top picks' articles before the festival, and anyone you know who's been before is bound to have a favourite comedian or company who will be performing again. You should also try and leave some space in your schedule for when you're actually in Edinburgh – often word of mouth is best of all for finding a gem.
What time can I see the shows?
Pretty much any time. The earliest shows at the Fringe tend to start around 9-10am – some of them kids' shows, others include things like stalwarts Shakespeare Shorts – and run throughout the day and evening into the wee hours, with some acts taking the stage just before midnight. There are also a number of walks and exhibitions, which will be available all day, so it's really all up to you!
How long are the performances?
Average would probably be 1-1.5 hours, especially for stand-up shows. There are a few full-length (i.e. 2.5 hour) ones in there, and some last just 20-30 minutes. The record we've got for shows seen in a day is 10, but we did practically forget who we were by the end of the last show on that particular occasion.
How much are tickets?
There are a whole range of ticket prices at the Fringe, from absolutely nothing (at places like the Free Fringe) up to around £35. On average you'd probably expect to pay about a tenner. You can also take advantage of the half-price hut run by the Fringe Society, and some shows have 2-for-1 days, often earlier in their runs.
Where can I stay?
Hotel prices do mount up during the festival month, as so many people pour into the city, so be prepared for that.
I've had enough theatre for a bit, is there anything else?
Of course! Theatre and musicals make up about a third of all Fringe shows, with comedy producing another third. There's dance, circus, exhibitions, children's shows, cabaret, and a huge variety of performances. But that's only the Fringe festival. At the same time, the Edinburgh Art Festival, the International Book Festival and Edinburgh International Festival all take place, so you really are spoilt for choice. Of course, if you want to sample some Scottish traditions, but don't feel up to the challenge of scaling Arthur's Seat (although you really should- the views are amazing), pop along to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo…
