Known as the world’s largest performing arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a legendary event that takes place over 3 weeks every August in glorious Edinburgh, Scotland. 

But how does the event work? How do you get tickets or choose from the over 3000 shows that make up the festival program? This post will tell you everything you need to know, with a hefty dose of fangirl enthusiasm because I truly adore this festival.

After all, everyone seems to be here for one goal: have a good time and nerd out about art, whatever form that art may take. All around town, you’ll hear strangers swapping show recommendations, artists promising to see each others’ shows, buskers flexing their best acts, and enthusiastic flyerers around every corner.

Of course, it’s not all an artistic utopia. Visiting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time is a truly overwhelming endeavour. Hence why I took copious notes during my first Fringe to help my fellow newbies out!

Read on for my best tips to conquering Edinburgh Fringe.

A Brief Introduction to Edinburgh Festival Fringe

While today it is considered one of the most exciting cultural events in the world and a highlight of Edinburgh’s festival season, the origins of the Fringe can be traced back to my favourite justification for anything: SPITE!

Back in 1947, the first Edinburgh International Festival was organized to celebrate performing arts. At this time, eight companies were so rattled by their lack of invite that they set up their own gigs on the fringes of the main event. Today, honouring this concept, anyone can come put on a show… so long as they have the funds & venue, of course.

The festival has grown to be so huge that you’ll find now 3000+ shows of every possible theme & genre pop up around the city, with theatres, bars, clubs, restaurants & even hotel conference rooms becoming entertainment venues. There’s truly nothing like it!

As such, there isn’t a single venue for the Fringe, it’s scattered all around Edinburgh, and frankly pretty impossible to dodge. Everywhere you go in the city, you’ll find posters for shows and you’ll get handed flyers every few seconds, with buskers every few steps as well in the busiest tourist areas like the Royal Mile. 

Some of the most popular areas though with tons of action include…

• Bristo Square which has the Pleasance Dome, MacEwan Hall and one of the Gilded Balloon’s many venues
• Pleasance Courtyard, which has over 20 different halls
• George Square, home to many venues including the iconic upside down cow known as the Udderbelly

Besides just the Fringe though beware that there are many other festivals and special events that make up Edinburgh festivals. So there will be loads more happening too, like the…

• Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Edinburgh International Festival
• Edinburgh Book Festival 
• Edinburgh Festival of Politics 
• Whisky Fringe 

Alright, now that you know the basics of what the Fringe is and where to find it, let’s move onto the next big question which is…

How to Get Edinburgh Fringe Tickets

The most important thing I can stress is that when it comes to the Fringe, you don’t buy tickets for the entire festival, you buy them for the individual shows you’re watching. Generally, shows are general admission so your tickets don’t come with assigned seats, it’s usually a first come first serve situation.

These tickets can be purchased easily online at edfringe.com, through the EdFringe app, through individual venue websites, or in-person either at the main Fringe Box Office on Old Assembly Close, or at the actual venues around the city.

NOTE: All shows use e-tickets these days, so even when you buy in person, the ticket gets emailed to you and you just show them your QR code when they ask for tickets.

The programme of shows for each year is generally released in batches. For instance, this year…

• The first round of shows was released on February 22
• The 2nd round of shows was released on April 4
• And the 3rd round of shows was released on May 9
• with the full programme launched on June 12

So, if you’re interested in a highly sought-after act, keep these dates in mind. 

I would highly advise booking tickets well in advance for…

• Any big names as these will of course sell out first
• Weekend shows as this is when you’re competing locals, overseas tourists and nearby day trippers alike

Of course, it’s worth noting that many performers will not be at the festival for the entire duration of the three weeks. Some pop in for just a few nights or even just one, so keep an eye on performers you love’s socials and mailing lists for the latest scoop.

All that said, to get the full Fringe experience, I think you should leave some room for spontaneity rather than just booking things in advance. Some of our best and most random days at the Fringe involved just showing up and going to shows that sounded good based on someone’s recommendation or based on a very persuasive plea from someone handing out flyers.

The good news is, with thousands of shows taking place throughout the festival, you’ll have no issue getting tickets to see something.

How to Decide Which Shows to Go to

Generally speaking, the best places to discover shows for the Fringe is…

• The official website 
• Official brochures/programmes
• Flyers and posters (plastered around town) which get modified and plastered with positive reviews and hype as the festival goes on
• Flyers (from flyerers who are often very sweet and persuasive)
• Word of mouth 
• Reviews 

NOTE: With art being possibly one of the most subjective things on Earth, it goes without saying that reviews can be helpful but shouldn’t be treated as gospel. I’ve been to some shows I enjoyed despite negative reviews, and was let down with shows drowning in hype… so, I would recommend simply reading show descriptions and choosing based on what sounds like it might appeal to your interests. 

If you’re indecisive and not particularly set on seeing any particular act, seeing a “Best Of” show may be the way to go.

Many venues will offer roundups that include multiple Fringe acts in one show, sometimes with themes (e.g genre, acts from a specific country, etc.) 

Going to one of these means seeing more acts in less time – which is ideal for those on a time crunch, though often these shows will include those who are newer to the festival, experimenting with new material, etc. so sometimes these shows can be less polished and cohesive than regular shows. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for shows with “polish”, look at booking shows that have been performed elsewhere already so you can more easily look at reviews and even video previews.

Overall, I would advise you…

• Do NOT book back to back shows as venues are often spread apart, and shows can run late, so trying to rush to your next show is just no fun. Leave plenty of time between shows
• Book varied shows in varied venues to experience the full spectrum of the Fringe experience, so not just restricting yourself to just stand-up for instance

Getting Deals on Edinburgh Fringe Tickets

Now, for an important section, how to get good deals on tickets.

If you’re on a budget, a great Edinburgh Fringe hack is that half price tickets are very often available… you just need to know where to find them! 

For starters, there are often 2 for 1 tickets available in the first few days of the festival – you can find them by using the 2 for 1 filter on the official ticket website (under ‘Special Pricing’).

There is also the Half Price Hut which opens on the first Wednesday of the festival, where you can grab half price tickets for shows that day and the next morning. You can find this at the main Fringe Box Office, though the list of available half price shows can be found on the half price hut website, so look at that in advance to save time and stress.

Finally, if you go to larger venue sites like the ones I mentioned, there’s often chalkboards where they write out shows offering 2 for 1 deals. 

I should also mention: if you feel like being a patron of the arts, those who become a Friend of the Fringe also unlock a set of 2 for 1 tickets but that of course involves paying an annual fee (i.e. not great for those truly on a budget).

Better than half price, there’s also the Free Fringe, which offers a programme of free entry or unticketed events.

I should stress though, while Free Fringe activities can be a great addition to your Fringe experience, beware that these shows are ‘pay as you want’ and not actually free, plus the ‘free’ thing can draw in huge crowds, queues and higher likelihood that you might not actually get in. 

The few times I attempted a free/pay as you want show, I was pretty underwhelmed with the show and also the overall experience, so I would keep that in mind if yours trying to strategize your show schedule. Sometimes the extra cost is worth it for the ease of mind that you’re guaranteed entry, and saves you the awkwardness of deciding the show’s worth after the show.

There’s of course also the free street performances that take place all throughout the Fringe as well:

Final Tips for Attending Edinburgh Fringe for First Timers

Alright, with all the basics out of the way, here are some extra Fringe survival tips!

1. Remember to be kind & respectful to locals 

The Fringe is a tough time to be an Edinburgh local, especially those who work in hospitality or those who live in the middle of all the bustling action. 

Year after year, locals complain about the horrors of the tourist mobs who come for festival season, so please be a respectful tourist – don’t be overly loud in residential areas, don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk for photos, etc. 

2. Book travel and accommodation as soon as possible 

Accommodation gets out of this world expensive during the Fringe, especially since there’s not only visitors that need somewhere to sleep, but also all the performers, so bear this in mind and try to plan your trip as early as possible. This year we booked our hotel in February and most of the affordable options were already gone. 

If you’re looking for longer term accommodation do beware that short term rental laws in Edinburgh dictate that anyone you rent from needs a license number, so keep that in mind. If you’re looking for a place to start, there’s a Facebook group called Edinburgh Fringe Accommodation where people post their vacancies. 

Otherwise, if you don’t mind commuting, do know that Edinburgh is well connected by train to other places in Scotland, so you can consider booking somewhere outside the city and commuting in for the festival, though of course that’s less convenient. 

3. Download the Edinburgh Fringe app 

The official EdFringe app is a must for your visit. Not only does it have all the shows in one place, you can also heart shows for later, buy tickets, etc. 

Granted, it can be a little glitchy but in terms of a one stop shop resource, there’s really no other app like it. 

4. Beware that there’s multiple venues with similar names 

For first timers to Edinburgh Fringe, one of the biggest traps is getting event production companies and venue names mixed up. 

So here’s your warning: when you see venue names, usually it’s the latter half of the name that matters more e.g. Pleasance DOME, Pleasance COURTYARD, Assembly ROOMS, Assembly HALL.

This is because Pleasance, Underbelly, Assembly and Gilded Balloon are all names of production companies, so there are many venues that start with those names but are actually in different parts of the city (as I learned the hard way).

So definitely double check the actual location of your venue before you go – it’s quite easy to get mixed up!

5. Get to venues early

Especially if it’s your first time at that venue!

Big venues like the Pleasance Dome for instance house multiple performance spaces, and can be tough to navigate if you’re new to them. Since seats are mainly first come first serve, you’ll want to get there early to queue for a better seat, which won’t happen if you’re just walking around in circles looking for the right queue.

NOTE: Do beware to not get there TOO early for comedy shows as being seated near the front makes you a prime victim for crowd work and audience participation. 

Don’t worry though, while the venues can be overwhelming, just know there’s usually helpful signs, and when in doubt, just ask! There are lots of helpful staff and volunteers all around the festival. Do be sure to ask the right people though – those working for venues will likely know a lot more about the layout of a place than flyerers who are just trying to convince you to see their show. 

6. Pack light and in removable layers 

In terms of what to wear, while the Fringe is quite casual and you can generally wear whatever you want I highly advise you pack as little as possible and dress in layers that are easy to remove because there are usually no bag checks/space for bags, and those venues can get sauna-like very quickly.

7. Bring a charger/USB cable 

If you’re out all day, it’s likely you may need to recharge your phone at some point, especially since most tickets are now loaded on your phone these days. 

So, bring a portable charger! Or, in a pinch, know that many Edinburgh buses have USB charging ports, so charge up whenever you get a chance.

8. Take care of business just before shows

Many venues won’t have toilets of their own, or even if they do, excusing yourself midway through a performance isn’t ideal so going beforehand is key. 

9. Get cash out if you’re attending any pay what you want shows 

Many performers take card these days but there’s something very awkward to me about saying to someone’s face how much their art was worth to you so if you’re a similarly socially anxious person then get lots of cash out preferably in smaller bills so that you can compensate people for their time free from the shackles of social interaction. 

10. Don’t count on having internet 

Maybe it was just bad luck on my part, but I found service to be very spotty in and around some venues, so I’d plan everything assuming you won’t have data, meaning…

• Screenshot those tickets and make sure they’re on your camera roll
• Have all your directions loaded beforehand
• Set a meeting point for meeting friends, etc. 

NOTE: If you can’t load your tickets and forgot to take a screenshot as well, don’t panic. The ticket scanners seem to have a list of buyers as well so you can also get “checked in” with the name of the purchaser. 

11. Don’t forget to eat!

Self explanatory but it’s quite easy to get caught up in the excitement of the festival that you forget to eat. A grumbling stomach in the middle of a show is no good, so just remember to bring snacks/eat properly. There are often food trucks around the larger festival areas, but these costs can add up quickly. In a pinch, dipping into a supermarket for a Meal Deal (a main, snack and drink for less than 5GBP) is always a good idea.

12. Allow plenty of time between shows

Never underestimate how long it can take to get from Point A to Point B during the Fringe! Not only is Edinburgh notoriously hilly, but add in tons of crowds and your Google Maps estimates can easily be off by 10+ minutes. So, again, don’t book shows back to back and give yourself plenty of time.

13. Lastly: don’t stress and have fun!

I have to admit I was really nervous going into my first Fringe. I had heard SO many stories about the sheer chaos of it all and was bracing myself for the worst.

In reality, apart from the busy hellscape that is the Royal Mile, I found the crowds of the Fringe to be surprisingly manageable. Yes, there are lots of people around but don’t forget most of them are locked away inside venues watching shows.

Especially on weeknights, this meant I never waited too long for drinks, never had trouble finding somewhere to sit and chat… And perhaps most magical of all, there were so many public toilets that I never once waited more than 3 minutes! 

Any More Edinburgh Fringe Tips to Add?

Let me know in the comments!