If you appreciate clever comedy built on folk music, family heritage, and medieval research, Caitriona Dowden’s Sesh Head is an absolute treat.
Join in the fun with festivals in Edinburgh
During the month of August, Edinburgh is home to some of the biggest and most renowned festivals in the world; Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Edinburgh Book Festival.
Tourists flock from around the world to attend some of the most prestigious, weird, whacky and exciting events you'll find. There are performers on the streets, and almost every single pub and club is turned into a venue for the Fringe. We're big fans, but it can also feel like a lot when you haven't experienced it before.
Luckily, there are handy brochures and all the information you'll need is online - from high-ticket, exclusive and limited-run shows, to free Fringe shows where you can just turn up on the night, and only pay what you feel like. There's something for everyone, and we're here to cover as much of it as humanly possible!
Our Edinburgh Festival Guide partners
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Review: Extraordinary Alien, Fringe 2026
From Leeds and Oxford to New York visa hurdles, Debra Tammer shares a candid, relatable story of creative survival in the basement of Le Monde for the Edinburgh Fringe.
Review: Isle of No’Man, Fringe 2026
Martin J. Dixon’s Isle of No’Man, is a jovial and contemplative journey through the summer adventures and romances of a television PA turned café baker, bringing grand gestures and deep emotions across ferries and onto this small island.
A review of 100% Badgers 2: Badgers vs Hedgehogs with Matt Hobs, Fringe 2026
100% Badgers 2: Badgers vs Hedgehogs with Matt Hobs brings audiences face-to-face with the adorable and important aspects of hedgehogs, badgers, and how we all interact and cohabitate. There’s humour, animals, a surprising amount of very enjoyable learning, and some deeper questions to consider. And a stellar powerpoint!
A review of Tabletop Role-Playing Game: The Musical, Fringe 2026
Tabletop Roleplaying Game: The Musical is highly relatable, funny and entertaining show that will appeal to anyone with experience of playing TTRPGs. A great shout for nerds!
Review: Bone China, Fringe 2026
A dark fairytale gorgeously stylised and transformed into something beautiful through Chinese opera, stylised performance, incredible costumes and percussion.
A review of Harvey Cobb: Pink Boots and an Alcoholic Sock Puppet, Fringe 2026
This show is certainly self aware in it’s weirdness and there were members of the audience getting a really good laugh out of the absurdity. Cobb’s charisma and stage presence made the oddness more enjoyable. This show is different, but there is definitely an audience for it!
Review: Kate Smurthwaite Writes and Performs a Brand-New Full-Length Stand-Up Show Every Single Day for the Entire Edinburgh Fringe Based on Audience Suggestions from the Previous Day (Not Tuesdays)
Kate Smurthwaite is a brilliantly funny, clever, and original comedian who pushes her own boundaries and also makes you think. Every day (except Tuesdays) she’s coming up with a different show, so no two are ever the same. Go along and don’t miss it.