Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 – all you need to know

What is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is simply the larget arts festival in the world, boasting thousands of shows – from music and stand-up comedy to every imaginable subgenre of theatre – in hundreds of venues of varying capacities across the Scottish capital. It was first established back in 1947, when eight theatre groups gatecrashed the official Edinburgh International Festival.

When does it take place?

The Edinburgh Fringe takes place each year in August; the official 2024 dates are 2 to 26 August (although some shows will have preview performances from 31 July).

How many shows are taking part in the 2024 festival?

There are over 3,500 shows listed on the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe website!

What can I see at the Edinburgh Fringe?

As always, there is a massive variety of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Whether you want to catch mainstream musicals in their infant stages, gritty dramas, absurdist solo shows, dance, circus, cabaret, spoken word or even parodies based on recent events (such as Glasgow’s infamous Willy’s Chocolate Experience or Gwyneth Paltrow’s skiing accident trial), the festival has you covered.

If you are leaning towards the musical side of the spectrum, you can read more about the new offerings in 2024 here.

So how do I decide what to watch?

With so much to choose from, it can certainly seem a little overwhelming. One useful tip is to leave plenty of space in your Edinburgh Fringe schedule, as word of mouth can travel fast through the Scottish capital and is often the way to discover hidden gems.

WhatsOnStage will be sending our lead critic Sarah Crompton, alongside a small handful of our other reviewers and managing editor Alex Wood, who will all be covering as many shows as possible across the month. So, do keep an eye on the website for their thoughts and opinions as the festival progresses.

Many performers and troupes return to the Fringe every year, so reviews of past shows can also be found on WhatsOnStage.

There will also be an official printed programme with information on almost every show, circulating throughout the city.

What time do the shows begin?

The earliest shows at the Edinburgh Fringe tend to start around 9 or 10am – including the ones aimed towards the younger demographics – while others (especially those with more adult themes and content) can take to the stage around midnight.

How long are the performances?

Although there will be some full-length shows comparable to West End productions at around two and a half hours, the average time for a Fringe show is between 60 and 90 minutes. However, there are also plenty of options that come in between the 20 and 30-minute mark.

How much are tickets?

There are a range of ticket prices at the Edinburgh Fringe. Many shows are free (especially street performances) and some may charge around £20 for entry. The average ticket price, however, remains around £10.

Another handy tip would be to visit the Half Price Hut for same-day-deals (or for shows the following morning), which opens on the first Wednesday of the festival at the Fringe Box Office, Old Assembly Close, High Street, EH1 1QS.

What else is there to do during my stay in Edinburgh?

Although we’re sure you’ll be spending most of your time cramming as many shows into your schedule as humanly possible, Edinburgh has a lot more to offer outside of the Fringe.

In terms of sightseeing, there’s the iconic Edinburgh Castle, of course, as well as the Royal Mile, Scott Monument, Palace of Holyrood House, Royal Yacht Britannia, National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. And if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for an hour or so, there’s some lovely outdoor spaces such as the Meadows and Princes Street Gardens or you could check out the view from Arthur’s Seat.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2 to 24 August) offers a renowned array of performances by military bands from the British Armed Forces and there’s also the Edinburgh Art Festival (9 to 25 August), Edinburgh International Film Festival (15 to 21 August) and International Book Festival (10 to 26 August), so in terms of culture, you really are spoilt for choice!

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