Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held annually in August, is one of the world's largest celebrations of arts and culture. For three weeks, Edinburgh transforms into a vibrant stage where thousands of performers, both renowned and emerging, entertain audiences from around the globe.

Festival Highlights

The Fringe features artists and performers on hundreds of stages across Edinburgh, showcasing a diverse range of shows in venues from traditional theatres and concert halls to bars, parks, buses, and shipping containers. The vibrant street events add color and excitement to outdoor spaces for free.

The festival includes performances across all genres—theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions, and more. It offers a platform for both renowned artists and emerging talents.

Street Events

Fringe street events transform Edinburgh's streets with stunning sights and sounds, featuring world-class street entertainers. Key areas include the High Street/Royal Mile (from Cockburn Street to George IV Bridge), Hunter Square, and the Mound Precinct near Princes Street.

Tickets

You can book tickets 24/7 on the festival's official website. After the Fringe program launches on 12 June, you can also book by phone or visit the Fringe Box Office at 180 High Street. All shows are e-ticketed, so you'll receive an email with a QR code—no need to collect physical tickets. Family tickets are available for some shows (two adults and two children or one adult and three children under 18). Free shows might still require a physical entry ticket to ensure guaranteed entry, so check if your show is 'ticketed' or 'non-ticketed' beforehand. Ticket prices start from £5 and vary significantly depending on the event.

The Half Price Hut

The Half Price Hut offers tickets at half price for shows starting that day or the next morning, providing a great chance to discover new performances at a discount. It typically opens on the first Wednesday of the Fringe.

History

The Fringe is a three-week performing arts festival held every August in Edinburgh, originating in 1947 when eight uninvited theatre groups performed alongside the Edinburgh International Festival. Created to celebrate post-war European culture, the International Festival inspired these performers to stage their own shows, coining the term "Fringe." The Festival Fringe Society, established in 1958, supports this inclusive artistic movement, maintaining a policy of no program vetting. Today, the Fringe welcomes anyone with a story to tell.