The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a three-week celebration of the arts in Edinburgh, Scotland. It features over 3,000 shows of theater, comedy, dance, music, and more. The festival is a great place to discover new talent and to experience the best of what the arts world has to offer.The Fringe always officially runs for three weeks, ending with the August bank holiday weekend. Its official dates for 2023 are Friday August 4 to Monday August 28, although many shows have previews from Wednesday August 2 (and relatively few actually run on Monday 28).
What makes it special?
- The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an open-access festival, which means that anyone with a story to tell and a venue willing to host them can participate.
- Most Fringe shows take place in non-traditional spaces, such as pop-up shops or repurposed buildings. This allows the festival to showcase a wide variety of performances, from theater to music to comedy.
- In addition to attracting performers and visitors from all over the world, the Fringe is also a hotspot for creative producers and the media. This is because the festival has a legendary reputation for helping major stars get their first big break.
Enjoy the best shows at the festival
1. Ania Magliano: I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
Following her delightful debut at the Fringe last year with ‘Absolutely No Worries if Not,’ the talented young Ania Magliano returns with ‘I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This to Me.’ Just like before, Magliano keeps things intimately relatable by centering the show around a disastrous haircut she endured a while back.
2. Ben Target: Lorenzo
- Comedy
- Storytelling
- Until 27 Aug 2023
Comic and performance artist Target entertains us with a unique story: he abandoned his career three years ago to become the live-in carer for an elderly prankster named Lorenzo. This intriguing concept is heightened by being the final show directed by the esteemed Adam Brace.
3. Chloe Petts: If You Can’t Say Anything Nice
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
After the acclaimed ‘Trascience’ in 2022, where Petts tackled societal issues with clarity, grace, and goodwill, she’s back with a different angle. Her new show seems set to be more provocative, promising a “newer, ruder approach to the big issues.”
4. An Evening of Mayhem with Megan Stalter
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- 12 Aug27 Aug 2023
US comic Megan Statler, known for eccentric web videos, has gone mainstream. In her UK debut, she showcases undeniable musical talent, magnetic audience engagement, and impeccably written jokes that will leave a lasting impact all year.
5. Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello: Body Show
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
Last year, Frankie Thompson’s quirky ‘Catts’ was the alternative comedy hit at the Fringe. This year, alongside Liv Ello, director of the cult-followed ‘Swarm’, they team up for ‘Body Show’, a ‘love story’ exploring ‘dysmorphia, dysphoria, and dystopia’. Expect more performance art than stand-up, but undoubtedly expect greatness.
6. Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
Following a sudden cancellation last year, the highly anticipated new show of ’90s comedy legend Frank Skinner is poised to grace the stage this year. While the title cleverly references his hit single ‘Three Lions’, the show doesn’t rely on grand concepts. Instead, Skinner’s adept storytelling and reflective humor regarding his days as a lad icon continue to epitomize his enduring charisma.
7. Knock, Knock
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
The central Fringe comedy theme is whether successful TikTok comics can thrive live. ‘Knock, Knock’ stars Coco Sarel, Henry Rowley, Steven McKell, and Ayamé Ponder, all with massive online followings. Watching their transition to the live stage adds intrigue to the equation.
8. Leila Navabi: Composition
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
The emerging comedy sensation from Wales brings forth an ambitious punk musical-comedy performance that delves into the questionable ethics of using marginalized identities for social advancement. What’s not to be captivated by?
9. Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected NOT FAKE!
- Comedy
- Stand-up
- Until 27 Aug 2023
Responding to past critiques, US comic Patti Harrison names her new Fringe show boldly. Her prior performance thrived on confrontation and strategic brilliance. While not likely solely about her breasts, expect unbridled chaos.
10. The Retreat
- Comedy
- Sketch shows
- Until 27 Aug 2023
US comedians Rebekka Johnson and Anne Gregory lead a corporate retreat parody variety show. Produced by British musician Kate Nash, it features rotating special guests, promising entertainment with a twist.
