The city of Edinburgh is famous for its festivals, but nothing matches the scale and variety of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Held every summer in his August, Festival Fringe turns entire cities into stages with the world’s best performing artists.
Some call it the fringe or Edinburgh fringe. Whatever you call it, you can’t miss an exciting few weeks in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival – tips from an insider
Get ready to catch a street performance, buy tickets to a ballet or attend an improvisational comedy show. Millions of tourists head to Edinburgh to be amazed by The Fringe.
Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your festival. Make the most of your time in Edinburgh by planning your fringe itinerary before you leave your trip. As a former fringe he performer, here’s how to make the most of your time to see the highlights of the biggest festivals.
What is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Billed as the world’s largest arts festival, The Fringe takes the city of Edinburgh by storm, transforming nearly every neighborhood into a performing arts venue. Over three weeks, the festival wows audiences with all kinds of performances, from small, intimate stages to large stages with curtain calls. There is nothing missing.
Incredibly, The Fringe has been around since 1947 and is only growing. It started as a protest against competing arts festivals that are invite-only. Uninvited performers sought to develop The Fringe into what we know today.
Who can I meet on the Fringe?
Edinburgh Fringe is an open access festival. Open access means absolutely anyone can appear in any show. There is no curation or selection process.
I’m a dancer in the ballet “Cinderella” and I came from Vermont to perform. Many performers travel the world as part of Fringe. Performers also take advantage of being on the show when they are not performing. Three weeks in theaters 24/7.
What most visitors need to be aware of is how the effectiveness of open access indicates quality. Some shows are professional, some are amateur. But it’s also part of the fun.
Where is the Edinburgh Fringe held?
Edinburgh is a huge city and The Fringe has 317 venues a year. Tickets for well-known artists sell out quickly, while tickets for lesser-known artists are sometimes available last minute. Venues range from pubs to actual theaters and everywhere in between. Street performances and cafes are also standard. Throughout the day he may have over 1,000 shows.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe organization oversees ticket sales, city logistics, event space and marketing. They don’t scrutinize performance. So you never know what you’ll see on The Fringe. A third of Fringe’s performances are in the comedy category. From circus to cabaret to ballet, there’s something for everyone.
My favorite shows are audience participation. It’s a lot of fun to be part of Fringe without being a professional actor. It’s impossible to know all the shows Fringe has to offer, so it’s good to narrow down the types of shows you want to see.
What are The Fringe’s most popular shows?
When planning a trip to a festival, everyone wants to know which shows sell out first or must-see performances. With thousands of choices almost every day for three weeks, it’s hard to choose.
With so many shows hard to narrow down, you should buy advance tickets for the most popular shows. Here are some tips to consider.
- to start with fringe website. The program list will update and you can now use filters to select your favorites. Check out the categories that interest you the most.
- Once you’ve picked your favourite, use the website’s calendar of events to keep track of the daily schedule of shows.
- See if performance groups return to The Fringe year after year. That means they are popular at festivals.
- Follow performing artists and groups on social media. Before you book your ticket, check to see if there are any clips or previews of the show you can watch.
- Consider becoming a member of their exclusive access club, Friend of the Fringe. Members receive special offers such as early ticket purchases. This membership is perfect for high profile shows that sell out quickly. It costs £32 a year.
- When visiting The Fringe, read your local newspaper or look for online reviews of the show. Some shows he plays every day for three weeks. If you find glowing reviews, check to see if tickets are still available for upcoming performances.
- Split the itinerary with an 80/20 approach. 80% of the shows you see require you to buy a ticket and do some research. The remaining 20% can be fun and spontaneous.
What shows on the Fringe require tickets?
Most shows require tickets, even the ones that are free. That’s how we control the number of people in the audience. Free performances will give the audience the option to donate after the performance.
Tickets go on sale in January, with all ticketed shows available by mid-June. Even if you miss the June deadline, there are plenty of street performances of his during the festival.
A ticket does not necessarily guarantee a specific seat at the venue. We recommend arriving before the show starts. If you need tickets on the go during the festival, download The Fringe mobile app (available for both Apple and Android devices). Tickets purchased through the app must be picked up at the ticket office at the venue. Also check the app for discounted ticket offers from time to time.
Preparing for a day at The Fringe
Usually, you end up exploring the city all day, hopping from show to show. Edinburgh is notorious for its unpredictable weather. Please bring a light raincoat.
Please wear comfortable shoes (you may walk on cobblestones) and light layers. Backpacks are great for exploring during the day. Some nightly shows in large venues require a dress code. If you need a dress and tie for a show, it’s always best to check with The Fringe app.
It’s handy to have your phone charger handy as you’ll be referring to the app. No photography is allowed in indoor venues, only outdoor street performances are allowed.
Where to stay in Edinburgh for Festival Fringe
Edinburgh has plenty of accommodation options, from hostels to luxury hotels. Even with all available options selected, city bookings are almost at maximum capacity. We recommend that you book your hotel as soon as possible.
There are several hotel options near the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile is a pedestrian-only street during the festival. Full of street performances, you will encounter performances when you leave the hotel! A great way to get involved in the action.
Other major areas of the festival include Cowgate, St Bistro Square and Princes Street. Walking the streets of Edinburgh in August, you can’t help but come across performances and people handing out performance flyers.
of Hotel The concierge frequently tells guests about big venues, but it’s not a good source of information about individual performances. Find a place to stay that fits your budget, catch a show, and get ready for a great festival experience. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is unlike any other event in the world.
