One of the most well-known cultural events in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a hallmark of the British calendar, and has become a phenomenon across the globe, welcoming performers and pundits alike to the Scottish capital for a month-long celebration of everything entertainment. But with such a large and dynamic event, where do you even begin to navigate it? Fresh from my first time at Fringe, in Edinburgh or even in Scotland for that matter, how can you get to Fringe, and make the most of it whilst you’re there?
What is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
For those who may be coming across this unusual festivity for the first time, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a festival unlike any other. The month-long event takes place every autumn in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and sees theatregoers, thespians, creatives, stand-up comics and all manner of performers from across the country and world head north to put on a range of shows, performances and productions. With over 4000 different productions at the 2024 festival, it is an event of huge proportions, and is the largest such Fringe festival in the world. It is used as a place to showcase and premiere new talent, as well as platforming a range of returning talent and celebrities. It is also an event where the productions of the future are found, with successes including Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder, Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Fleabag and even smash-hit musical SIX beginning their lives at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
So with so much going on and so many people and shows in attendance, what are my top 10 tips for surviving the chaos and furore to have the best time at the Fringe?
Be Prepared & Manage Expectations
Before you arrive to Fringe, or even before you consider going, it’s worth researching and understanding what Edinburgh Fringe is, and more importantly, what it isn’t. Fringe is a crucible of all things creative arts, so there will almost certainly be something for you. But remember to keep in mind that with thousands of shows here, not everything will be your cup of tea. Don’t come to Fringe and expect five star shows all day every day. There is a vast array of truly shockingly bad performances at the Fringe, and the likelihood is that you’ll encounter at least one. There may be huge talent here, but remember this isn’t the West End or Broadway. It’s a place for new talent to try their hand at performance, so stay calm, stay kind and courteous to all the performers, but don’t be upset if you see things that are irredeemably bad.
Similarly, the more preparations you can do beforehand, the better. Fringe is such a popular event, so don’t expect to just turn up to Edinburgh and waltz into a hotel if you haven’t booked – it won’t be a long conversation! Where possible, make sure all of your accommodation is sorted, your travel is booked and any other important arrangements made as far as in advance as physically possible. Not only will this make it as cheap as it can reasonably be expected to be, but with an event such as the Fringe, it’s likely the only option you have to make sure you’re actually able to get there!
Money, Money, Money
It’s also very important to keep in mind that Edinburgh Fringe is an expensive venture – for everyone involved! Many performers go to Fringe knowing that they will likely lose a significant sum if money – even sellout shows are often lucky to break even on the costs they’ve paid. And it’s not just the shows, as you will be paying a lot of money to be there too. After accommodation, travel, food and other expenses, Fringe shows generally cost between £5 and £10 each, which builds up very quickly over a festival such as this.
So how can this be helped? Well, taking advantage of the Free Fringe programme is always a great idea to fill your time whilst keeping some costs low. Whilst there is much less choice on the Free Fringe programme, there is still a considerable variety of talent available to be seen, so don’t dismiss it before you give it a go! Similarly, building in some of the cheaper show options or prioritising others you want to see most can help keep your overall spend down. But keep in mind, Fringe will never be a cheap trip, so get saving early to avoid any disappointment!
Research your Venues
Fringe has hundreds of venues scattered across the city, so knowing where to go is key to making your plans. You may be able to see one show here that ends at 3pm and then want to catch another that starts at 3:05pm, but if they’re at different ends of the city, you may find yourself out of luck. When booking any shows you plan to see in advance, take an extra second to see where the venues are and how long it will take you to get from one to the other. Don’t get me wrong, you’re never really more than a 20 minute walk at most from one venue to another, but if you have a ten minute window to do a 20 minute walk, you will very quickly find yourself flustered. And remember, Fringe doesn’t always stay perfectly on time! So don’t rely on absolutely everything going 100% according to plan to make your day work!
It’s also important to remember that every venue is different . Because of the nature of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a very random assortment of spaces are co-opted, so you may be in a lecture theatre one minute, then a hotel function room, before finishing in a comedy club basement! So with such a wide variety of venues, check anything you may need to about it before you book. There is often varying ranges of accessibility provision, if certain spaces make you uncomfortable be sure to check beforehand. Need quick access to a particular provision, check it.
Eat, Drink, Sleep, Repeat
Now, depending on how long you’re planning to spend at Fringe will depend how much this will impact you. Fringe, for all its perks, can become very draining very quickly. And the best way to compound this fatigue is not eating properly, not drinking enough (of the right things!) and not getting as much sleep as you need. Fringe is a lot at the best of times, so do what you can to keep you and your body as healthy as possible. Be sure to eat proper food as much as you can – a meal deal works but it shouldn’t be every meal every day! Keep drinking lots of fluids, namely water. Fizzy drinks and alcohol actually dehydrate you, so stick to the basics!
And remember to listen to your body. You know how much sleep you usually need, and that will only increase with busy days at the Fringe. So remember to build-in a sufficient amount of time to sleep, rest and recuperate. If your body is telling you whilst you’re there that it needs sleep, listen to it. The last thing you want is to have to take time away from your plans to deal with exhaustion. You may be away from home and having fun, but your body still needs the basics – don’t ignore yourself!
Hi, Friend!
Not only will it make the overall cost of Fringe for each person less than if they came individually, but bringing friends with you to Fringe will make the whole experience a lot more fun! Who doesn’t want their friends with them? Going as part of a group is a great way to experience a wider range of Fringe events, save on costs and also to share the experience with other people in your life. Fringe really does have something for everyone, so bringing your bezzie mates is a no-brainer. It is also a way to make sure that you have a variety of shows lined up, do a range of activities and don’t push yourself too far.
It also makes it a lot easier to have downtime or do things other than Fringe shows! Going as part of a group means there’s a much better chance that other people may be taking time out too, so you can still have a fun experience even when you’re not out and about. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, so having people you can have a chilled time wandering about is never something to be passed up on!
Pace Yourself!
If you’re planning to be at Fringe for more than a day or two, it’s a marathon rather than a sprint. The earliest events in the Fringe day can begin at 5am/6am, with last ones going on long past midnight. Whilst it’s possible to completely fill up your day and see ~10 shows per day if you really want to, you will burn out incredibly quickly. Seeing theatre or comedy is a great experience but it can be exhausting, especially if you allow yourself only ~4 hours of sleep per day, and it will not be as fun as you think it is!
It’s important to remember that just because something is possible doesn’t mean that it should be done. I saw 18 shows in just over five days and I was spent by the end of the week, so going for ten a day is not a good idea, trust me. If it means that you have to sacrifice the total number of shows you can see to have time to eat, socialise, sleep, relax or contact people at home, so be it! There is so much happening at Fringe, You can’t do it all, so please don’t try.
Variety is the Spice of Life
You may be heading to Fringe as a theatre girlie. Maybe you’re a musicals person, or stand-up is your thing. Maybe seeing dance or circus is more your vibe? Whatever your main reason for heading to Fringe is, try to do a bit od everything rather than sticking to one genre. I love musicals, but if I did 18 musicals in 5-and-a-bit days, I’d have been so sick of them by the end of Fringe. Never underestimate the power of trying something new.
Try to build-in a bit of theatre, a musical or two, stand-up, something performative and all manner of Fringe events, it will go a long way in helping to prevent burnout. Theirs is so many different things at Fringe, there’s no point sticking rigidly to one genre! Not to mention, Fringe is all about new talent being discovered. New talent can’t be found unless people are willing to take a chance on something new and different, so why not be that person yourself?
Do Something Else
You may be in Edinburgh for the Fringe, but that’s not the only thing to be found in Edinburgh! The Scottish capital is a beautiful city with so much art, culture and history to be discovered, so don’t miss out whilst you’re there! The museums are largely free, including the National Museum of Scotland, there are historical buildings to see such as Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, take a wander around the Scottish Parliament building, or even just exploring the city aimlessly, Edinburgh is filled with hidden gems to go and be found.
There’s also a range of other festivals and events to be seen! This year, I was fortunate enough to be in Edinburgh at the same time as the Military Tattoo, so was treated to fireworks from Edinburgh Castle and a military parade after one of my shows! There’s hundreds of small and independent shops, coffee places and more, and the green spaces and scenic views are not to be missed. You may come to Edinburgh for the Fringe, but be sure to stay for everything else on offer!
Keep your Eyes Peeled
Finally, it’s always worth keeping your eyes open when you’re walking around the Fringe Festival. It’s a world-famous event with people from around the world, and naturally, a few famous faces come to join the party too. Celebrities and public figures, as well as performing, can also be found just wandering around the city. This year, names such a Graham Norton, Richard E Grant, Dawn French, Jimmy Carr and Lorraine Kelly have all been spotted at the festival. Keeping your eyes open may pay dividends if you happen to bump into a famous face or two wandering around the city, and will give you a funny story to tell!
Have Fun!
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a truly unique spectacle that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. It’s filled with new and emerging talent, like-minded theatregoers and all manner of new people. Set in a beautiful city with more to do than you can shake a stick at, the Fringe is a special event and one that absolutely anyone can enjoy. Being able to go to Edinburgh Fringe is a fantastic opportunity and I advise everyone who is able to go at one point in their lives (although you’ll quickly want to go back!). Whilst we have to wait another year for the return of Edinburgh Fringe, the countdown is already beginning!
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival ran from August 2nd to August 26th. The Festival will return in August 2025
