Everything you need to know about Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival | A Locals Guide

Today is the day! The Edinburgh Festival kicks off today for it’s 75th anniversary, jam packed with shows and entertainment the Edinburgh Festival is the biggest arts festival in the world!

There’s over 3.5 thousand Fringe shows to choose from, you won’t be short of something brilliant to see. So, here’s some handy information to get your started!

Edinburgh’s first international festival took place in 1947, bringing together artists and people from all over the world. But, 8 companies weren’t invited along to take part. They were left uninvited, so they made their own way there, set up on the fringes of the city and performed their shows alongside the Edinburgh Festival. The first Scottish International Children’s Festival opened in 1990 with a record breaking 20,475 children and adults enjoying over 75 performances.

And the rest, they say, is history….

When does the Fringe Festival start?
There are 6 festivals that run through the course of August:

Edinburgh Art Festival – 28th July – 28th August
The leading galleries, artists spaces and museums of Edinburgh come together to share with you the best in visual arts. Not only do they share incredible work they commission new and emerging Scottish talent each year too.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe – 5th August – 29th August
25 days, featuring more than 55,000 performances, 3,548 different shows in 317 venues there’s something for everyone of any age at the Fringe Festival!

Edinburgh International Festival – 5th August – 28th August
Dance, opera, music and theatre, the International Festival brings together an international mix of talent for 3 weeks in August.

The Royal Military Tattoo – 5th – 27th August
This years theme ‘Voices’ brings the Tattoo back to Edinburgh. The Tattoo takes place on Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade, performances with dancers & music that brings together cultures from around the world in one spectacular show.

Edinburgh International Film Festival – 12th August – 20th August
The worlds oldest continually running film festival, the EIFF brings 2 whole weeks of films from all genres, lengths and makers. Paddington on the big screen in the middle of the city… count us in!

Edinburgh International Book Festival – 13 August – 29th August
Bringing together over 700 writer’s and speakers, the International Book Festival is the biggest of it’s kind in the world. This years line up includes Brian Cox, Frankie Boyle and Armando Iannucci.

Where can you see shows?
The Royal Mile is always bustling with crowds, acts handing out flowers and free show tasters alongside the excellent magicians and buskers that regularly line the streets and is usually our first stop when the festival starts. There are over 300 Fringe venue’s all across the city!

Here’s a quick map for you to easily find the Fringe venues:

Map thanks to Wanderlog, a vacation planner app on iOS and Android

What can we see?
There’s an overwhelming choice of shows to see, each year the Fringe releases a programme filled to the brim with comedy and entertainment for all ages. Many of those famous celebrities we know and love were discovered at the festival. From Russel Brand, Phoebe Waller-Bridge to Noel Fielding, even Robin Williams performed there back in 1976, you never know who’ll be discovered!

How much does it costs?
Some shows are free and some tickets start as low as £5! If you are an Edinburgh resident, there are some places giving great discounts, including the Underbelly & Assembly rooms, so check their website before you book.

No matter if you have visited before or have yet to experience the Edinburgh Fringe, I can almost guarantee there is something for everyone!


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