Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from 6 to 30 August 2027, its 80th anniversary year. Shows take place on hundreds of stages all over the city; in 2026 there were 4,232 shows in 306 venues. It is a mix of ticketed, free and street performances, and the Fringe Street Events are free. The Edinburgh International Festival also runs for three weeks in August (2027 dates to be confirmed).

Tickets

Book through the official Fringe box office online, by phone on +44 (0)131 226 0000 or in person at the Fringe Shop, 180 High Street. There is a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket (up to £9 per transaction), and tickets are non-refundable unless a show is cancelled or changed. Some free shows still need a ticket. Pay-what-you-want shows are paid after the performance; pay-what-you-can tickets are priced when you book. The Half Price Hut sells same-day tickets in person from the first Wednesday of the Fringe. The 2027 programme launch and on-sale dates have not been announced; the official Fringe app usually launches shortly before the festival.

Accessibility

Access bookings are handled by the Fringe access team (+44 (0)131 226 0002, by email or WhatsApp text on +44 (0)7923 525799); wheelchair spaces can't yet be booked in the app or online. Free companion tickets are available after registering, and listings flag audio-described, BSL-interpreted, relaxed and touch-tour performances. Changing Places toilets are listed on the Fringe website.

Good to know

Edinburgh charges a 5% visitor levy on paid overnight stays from 24 July 2026, capped at five consecutive nights. The city is compact but extremely busy in August, so allow time between shows.

• Old Town and the city centre: walk between venues and the Fringe Shop on the High Street; the city is compact but extremely busy in August.
• Near the tram line or Airlink 100 route: quick links to the airport and Princes Street.

Edinburgh adds a 5% visitor levy to paid overnight stays (capped at five consecutive nights).

Fly into Edinburgh Airport (EDI), about 8 miles west of the centre. The Airlink 100 bus runs to Waverley Bridge up to every 10 minutes (adult single £6), and the tram runs to Princes Street and Newhaven (from £7.90; buy before boarding). Edinburgh Waverley station is in the city centre. See our Edinburgh guide for where to stay and what else to see.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for the United Kingdom (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.