It’s time to Fringe.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of the best events in the UK. It’s more than just a month-long run of shows: it’s an opportunity to see famous faces and aspiring artists bring their very best productions to an audience that applauds live performance no matter its form.
It’s not too late to plan your trip to the Edinburgh Fringe 2024. Read on for all the info you need about tickets, dates, performers, and how to get to the Fringe — by train, of course.
Image Credit: David Monteith-Hodge. Image Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
What is the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe is a multi-week arts and culture festival spanning every genre of live performance — at least, that’s what the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is on paper.
In spirit, the Fringe is the ultimate celebration of creativity. World-renowned names and unknown artists share stages that range from Edinburgh’s landmark venues to makeshift theaters in public spaces.
When is the Edinburgh Fringe 2024?
The dates for the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 are August 02, 2024, through August 26, 2024. The full programme has been announced — which includes both ticketed and free performances — so you can start planning your August visit to Edinburgh.
Where is the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe takes place across Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh. Venues announced include The Voodoo Rooms, Bar 50, Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, and Assembly George Square Gardens. You’ll want to leave time to navigate between venues; even if they seem close by, queues can really fill up fast.
Getting to the Edinburgh Fringe is much easier than getting around the Edinburgh Fringe. You can take the train into Edinburgh Waverley railway station from dozens of cities including Glasgow, Inverness, and Manchester. Feel free to effortlessly hop on the train from London to Edinburgh and add a few days of Fringe to your Great Britain getaway. We recommend a nighttime ride on the Caledonian Sleeper.
Image Credit: David Monteith-Hodge. Image Location: Queenz The Show With Balls assembly at the Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland
Who are the big names at the Fringe 2024?
Among the 3,300+ performers showcased at Fringe 2024, some of the larger names include Miriam Margoyles (of Harry Potter fame), comedians Hannah Gadsby and Paul Merton, drag queen Lawrence Chaney, Suki Webster, Dara O Briain, Sara Pascoe, and Sue Perkins.
Don’t just plan your Fringe experience around the big names, though — you never know which unknowns will be the next big thing. Remember, the hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer started as a one-man-show at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
What to see at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024?
The line up for Edinburgh Fringe 2024 is lengthy, making it easy to get lost in the programme. Some of the best shows to see in Edinburgh Fringe 2024 include very intriguing twists on old classics, like Hamlet, performed by an ensemble of actors with Down Syndrome and Cyrano, a gender-swapped version of Cyrano de Bergerac.
Can you just turn up to the Edinburgh Fringe?
Yes, there are over 300 shows at Edinburgh Fringe that are free to watch and nearly 600 more that are pay-what-you-want/can — offering opportunities for even the tightest traveler on a budget to experience Edinburgh Fringe 2024. Remember, thousands of shows draw tens of thousands of people…so expect to spend a sizable amount of time navigating the city’s crowds.
Image Credit: David Monteith-Hodge. Image Location: performer on the Royal Mile during the Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland
How to get Edinburgh Fringe tickets
You can get Edinburgh Fringe tickets in several different ways, including: in person at the Old Assembly Close on Edinburgh’s High Street, calling the box office phone number, and online.
How expensive the Fringe will be depends on what exactly you want to see and do. Some shows are free, whereas other show prices are slashed in half at the Half Price Hut at the Fringe Box Office. Others are full price — which could hover around $20 per show.
How to do the Edinburgh Fringe cheap?
To do the Edinburgh Fringe on the cheap, first you should make a list of all of the free shows that you’d want to see and all of the paid shows you want to see. Check their show dates and times against each other to create your own must-see Fringe Fest itinerary. Plan time each day to scoop up cheap tickets at the Half Price Hut so you can experience as much Fringe as possible.
Where to stay in during the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe takes place in some unexpected places, so where to stay should depend on what performances you want to see. The Caledonian Edinburgh, for instance, is hosting “Edinburgh Magic” in its Versailles Suite.
Image Credit: David Monteith-Hodge. Image Location: Fringe street performer during the Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland
What do people wear to the Edinburgh Fringe?
Dressing for the Fringe isn’t as easy as picking out an outfit. Scotland’s weather, even in warm summer months like August, can be unpredictable. Most people wear casual and comfortable clothing that’s just cool enough for the heat but includes a sweater or hoodie for when temperatures drop. You’ll also see tons of people dressed in wild outfits so feel free to embrace the creative spirit of the Fringe and go all-out.
Are there food stalls at the Edinburgh Fringe?
Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry at the Edinburgh Fringe. Food stalls and pop-up bars fill the streets so you can grab a quick bite en route to or after a performance. Most regular restaurants, cafés, and bars will have at least normal operating hours — if not extended hours — to serve all of the Fringe festival goers.
Are there other festivals in Edinburgh at the same time?
As if three weeks of theater, comedy, and spoken word weren’t enough, the Edinburgh International Festival is a music festival that also takes over the city throughout the month of August. Don’t feel pressured to spend your entire visit as a festival goer — there are plenty of other amazing things to do in Edinburgh that’ll make your time in the city magical.
Ready to Fringe? Download the Trainline app and start planning your trip to Edinburgh Fringe 2024 by train today.
Header Image Credit: David Monteith-Hodge. Image Location: Reuben Kaye performing at the Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland
