1,508 further shows added for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

On Wednesday 06 May 2026, the third batch of shows for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe had been announced, ahead of full programme launch on 04 June; bringing the current total number on sale for 2026 to 3,599.

The new shows continue span every conceivable genre in a variety of venues across Edinburgh, with excitement continuing to build ahead of the Fringe officially kicking off in the Scottish capital on 07 August.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: ‘With less than 100 days to go until the 2026 Fringe, there are now thousands of shows available for audiences to browse and book. This year we’re encouraging visitors to mix it up and curate their own festival experience – from classic favourites to emerging talent and try something completely different and new. 

Now, more than ever, we’re encouraging you to start planning early to support the thousands of artists coming to Edinburgh to take part in one of the greatest cultural celebrations on earth.’

The official programme launch for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will take place on Thursday 04 June.

This newly announced batch of shows will be online and available to book from 12:00 BST on Wednesday 06 May; below is a sample of what’s on offer.

Cabaret and variety

At the Drop of a Hat! (artSpace@StMarks) is an ‘homage to the musical comedy stars of the last 60 years, the songs of which are as relevant and funny to all generations today as they were when written’.

‘With unforgettable original music, powerhouse vocals and poignant social commentary,’ Millicent Sarre is Too Tired to Smash (Patriarchy) at Assembly.

In Wanted: Drag or Alive! (Brewhemia), audience members are invited to join Skinny Minnie ‘for a sharp, filthy and fearless hour of stand-up: gun-slinging through her glory days, grudges and the cost of staying fabulous when the whole world’s gunning for you’.

‘Part lecture, part pop assemblage and wholly a performance, scholarship becomes spectacle and spectacle becomes survival as Critique Cabaret (C ARTS) examines what it means to think, feel and perform in a world where attention has become both currency and trap.’

‘Canadian drag entertainer, writer, comedian and singer Joan-E has written a brutally honest, candid and hilarious one-man show that highlights the journey of a young, shy Canadian boy who became one of Canada’s most prolific drag queens and then packed up her frocks and moved to Scotland’ – it’s Live at the Manor: Diary of a 7ft Canadian Man in a Dress at Edinburgh Thistle Hotel.

At Bad Clowns and Good Friends (Eve), ‘the award-winning comedy trio Bad Clowns are putting on a night of the best comedy acts, and you’re invited’.

‘Award-winning musical theatre writer Stephen Cole tells his hilarious story of writing a musical for the Emir of Qatar’ in Camelton (Gilded Balloon).

Irish performer Deirdre O’Toole brings The Summer I Turned Orange to Greenside, blending ‘stand-up, music, clown and some improv elements into a playful, high-energy performance’.

Audiences are invited to ‘join host Paul Savage and a revolving line up of brilliant comedians’ in the Big Naked Variety Show at Hoots.

In Manic (Just The Tonic), music video director Roxana Baldovin delivers ‘a millennial fever dream of pop culture, nostalgia and Hollywood, unfolding within a surreal game show of fame’.

A-List Burlesque and Cabaret at Laughing Horse promises ‘powerhouse performers, decadent costumes and riotous charm in a lavish night where classic glamour collides with bold, modern mischief’.

At PBH’s Free Fringe, The Man With the Golden Hands – Stuart Lightbody tells ‘the true story of John Mullholland: a magician recruited into the CIA in 1953. Stuart Lightbody shares unbelievable sleight of hand and a dangerous game of cat and mouse’.

In Kirsty’s All-Star Big Birthday Singalong Party at Pleasance, ‘human jukebox Kirsty Newton is turning 50, spending the final hour of her 40s at the piano leading a roomful of legends all belting out brilliant anthems’.

She Burns (Scottish Poetry Library) invite audiences to ‘join four fierce women, Scotland’s own local witches, for an evening of comedy, poetry, music and stories as they attempt to summon the spirit of Rabbie Burns’.

Slay the Vamps Down: A Buffy Burlesque Parody is at The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club, ‘with burlesque from well-known characters, drag artists and live renditions of favourite songs from the show’.

‘Hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Phil Nichol and irrepressible musical sidekick David Tims (of the Amy Winehouse Band), Cray Cray Cabaret (The Voodoo Rooms) blends sequin-soaked cabaret, world-class circus, quirky music and laugh-out-loud stand-up, wrapped in the unpredictable, high-octane chaos of its hosts’.

Back at the Theatre Big Top is the latest show by Fringe veterans The Lady Boys of Bangkok – Full Moon Tour ‘combines glamorous costumes, high-energy choreography, comedy and precision lip-synced performances’.

In Magic Ink (theSpaceUK), ‘Lorenzo, magician and member of The Magic Circle, invites you to a captivating mind-reading experience inspired by great stories and the characters that connect us across time’.

Liberace and Liza – A Tribute (Underbelly) ‘brings together two of entertainment’s most flamboyant legends in a show that never was – but absolutely should have been’.

Children’s shows

In FoRT at Assembly, ‘watch and be amazed as everyday objects transform into fantastical places to play and explore using ridiculous clowning, spectacular acrobatics and beautiful visual imagery’.

‘International magician Christian Lavey combines visual illusions, playful comedy and audience participation to create a fast-paced experience full of surprises’ in Wow! The Amazing Family Magic Show at Braw Venues.

‘With surprises around every corner, sing-alongs and hands-on activities, the Kids Breakfast Klub (Brewhemia) transforms your Sunday morning into an adventure.’

‘Childhood stories evoke the cultural heritage, local customs and natural scenery of Sichuan in a lively, innocent and expressive stage performance, rooted in Bashu culture and children’s artistic education’ – it’s A Magical Journey to Sichuan at C ARTS.

The King School theatre company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Central Hall, ‘a magical comedy where young lovers flee into an enchanted forest, mischievous fairies meddle with romance and a troupe of bumbling actors rehearse a play’.

‘Award-winning science communicator and researcher Dr Iris van Zelst [explores] the basics of seismology through stories, compelling visuals and songs’ in The Science Storyteller at Dynamic Earth.

Created by TuFlamenco, Flamenkids (Edinburgh New Town Church) ‘introduces children and grown-ups to the colour, rhythm and joy of flamenco through live guitar, singing, dance, clapping, percussion and playful interaction’.

‘As the mundane routines of school life twist into unexpected and imaginative adventures, transcending time and space, a heart-warming story of purpose and self-discovery unfolds’ in Shhh! (A Wordless Comedy) at Gilded Balloon.

In How to Spot an Alien at Greenside, families can join Jelly and Jonjo ‘in an adventure through space, full of friendship, fun and flying saucers’.

Rock Paper Scissors: A Brief History and Tournament is at Hoots, promising ‘a rock, paper, scissors battle to the death (figuratively), where you might even learn a thing or two (literally)’.

Adventures! Journey Through Dungeons With Dragons (Laughing Horse) ‘is a family-friendly D&D-type improv show where audiences guide the story, shape the heroes and roll the dice to determine what happens next’.

Frankie Munroe: A Show for Babies is at Monkey Barrel Comedy, with some strict guidelines: ‘This is a show for Babies. It’s not a Kids show. It’s for Babies. If any kids come they will have to pretend they are a baby or maybe hide so Frankie cannot see them.’

‘When the mischievous Tick Tock Taker – a villainous time-thief – starts stealing moments from history, the gang must leap through time to restore the past and protect our future’ in A History Mystery (PASS Theatre).

‘Created and performed by best-selling author Oliver McNeil’ and featuring the voice of Tom Baker, aka Doctor Who, The Storymaster’s Tales Interactive Quest Show (PBH’s Free Fringe) features ‘puppetry, audience interaction and immersive storytelling’.

Piano Dismantling Action (Pianodrome at St Oswald’s Centre) is ‘a hands-on creative workshop… where young people explore dismantling, building and imaginative making using upcycled pianos’.

‘Get ready for a riotous, family-friendly extravaganza of athletic silliness as award-winning clowns, Don Toberman and Darius Emadi, return to the stage to take on every sport in one hour’ – it’s Total Sports Mania at Pleasance.

‘Expect pantomime puns, magnificent musical numbers and plenty of audience interaction’ in 3 Labours: A Hercules Panto at theSpaceUK.

Two friends – Tom Skelton, who has lost his sight, and Tom GK, who has lost his hearing – present Did You Hear What I Saw? at Underbelly, which ‘breaks down stereotypes and lets audiences into the sometimes funny and quirky world of having a disability’.

Comedy

‘Jamie-Diane Rajaram, shortlisted Disabled Comedian of the Year 2026, delivers a deeply bold and personal performance’ in She Beast – WIP (Alchemist | St James Quarter), a ‘darkly humorous unflinching exploration of mental health, grief and trans identity, painted in all shades of blue and black’.

Michael John Ciszewski: Mother, Superior (Bedlam Theatre) is ‘a sacrilegious, sentimental solo spectacular from comic that’s brave enough to ask whether our parents would rather we book a Netflix special or return their calls’.

‘Expect real stories of Austen-level passion from primary school, Dickensian heartbreak from middle school onward and a Disney channel inspired pop song you didn’t see coming’ in Marina di Marzo: Love in the Time of Fifth Grade (Braw Venues).

‘Lebanese-Palestinian American, Sammy Obeid majored in mathematics and turned down a job at Google to be a comedian’ – he performs Sammy KO at Assembly.

Andrew O’Neill performs two shows this year: their History of Punk is at Bannermans while A Short, Aggressive Lecture On Krill. Then Jokes is at Monkey Barrel Comedy.

A ‘New York comedian, STOMP and Broadway veteran,’ Mina Liccione: Arabized (C ARTS) ‘blends satirical stand-up and physical comedy to explore cultural mishaps, decolonisation, and discovering the Habibi way’.

The Avondale Theatre Company present Terry Pratchett’s Mort at Central Hall, in which Death hires an apprentice, ‘offering room, board and use of the company horse – no dying required’.

Punchline on Leith returns to Citadel Youth Centre, promising two comedy fundraisers with different lineups ‘at Leith’s newest, coolest venue’.

In Olivia Xing: Baby of Colour (Gilded Balloon), the LA-based performer recounts a series of ‘surreal gynaecologist visits [that] become a meditation about identity, autonomy and what it means to create as a woman, alien and stand-up comedian’.

Troy Hawke: Never Stop, Never Change! is at Edinburgh Playhouse, in which ‘angry security guards, barked compliments and crossed wires abound as Troy navigates various conversational minefields, both online and in real life’.

Lance Mao: The Pig with the Dragon Tattoo (Hoots) is ‘a dark confessional hour about racism, mental health, fear, and embracing your crazy’.

‘Ian Coppinger (Dublin Comedy Improv), Stuart Murphy (Stu and Garry’s Improv Show), Stephen Frost and Richard Vranch (guest spots) and other special guests (last year included Marcus Brigstoke, Phill Jupitus, Mike McShane, Rufus Hound and Pippa Evans)’ are The Improv All Stars at Frankenstein Pub.

Audiences are invited to join a ‘Canadian/Kiwi recovering Catholic in a high-energy and uplifting journey filled with tales of marrying an Irishman, motherhood, IVF, health (sometimes mental) problems, moving to Italy and the odd adult nursery rhyme thrown in for good measure’ in Julie Belliveau: Enlightened? (Greenside).

‘Fast, fierce and unapologetically funny’, Extraordinary Alien at Le Monde ‘is a no-holds-barred solo-show about ambition, impostor syndrome and never quite fitting in – no matter where you land’.

‘Vinny Shiu is a fast-rising British-Chinese comedian making waves on the UK comedy circuit with bold, unfiltered stand-up that turns personal chaos into big laughs’ – you can catch him in British. Broken. Chinese. (WIP) at Laughing Horse.

‘Fusing comedy, drag, storytelling and more, this show is the answer to the question, how many art forms can be thrown at the wall to come out with something that almost makes sense?’ It’s This Integrated at Lighthouse – Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop.

‘As a gay, first-generation Mexican American, Jilberto Soto examines the daddies who disappeared, the fathers that tried and the quiet pressure on men to step into the role’ in ¡Ay! Papi: Jilberto Soto (Just The Tonic).

‘In the ruthless pursuit of fame, self-proclaimed world’s hottest sketch group, Behemoth, must stage their biggest show yet while appeasing the ever-growing demands of a shadowy corporate sponsor’ – it’s Behemoth: StarStuck at Rotunda Theatre.

Sepideh Kaav’s 1979: Persianality Disorder (Laughing Horse) ‘is a dark, satirical hour about growing up in post-revolution Iran, moving to Europe, and deciding the correct response to all of it is more honesty than anyone asked for’.

Daniel Downie: Alba (Scottish Comedy Festival) explores the history of languages in Scotland, and asks if ‘modern-day Scots more Albannach or Sasannach?’

In Sydnee Washington: My Black Barbie Story (Monkey Barrel Comedy), audiences can ‘follow Sydnee’s life story from childhood, to making questionable decisions as a bottle girl in the iconic nightclubs of 2010s New York City – and how she eventually climbed her way out through sobriety and, funnily enough, stand-up comedy’.

Brainwashed (Paradise Green) ‘is a dark comedy clown show about growing up under dictatorship in Belarus. Born in the Soviet Union and raised in a country shaped by authoritarian rule, award-winning comedian Alina Konon transforms her personal history into a surreal and playful exploration of propaganda.’

In Derek Mitchell: Work in Progress at Summerhall, the ‘comedian and viral creator of @letsdoubledutch tests new material and characters for an hour – expect accents, sketches and cross-cultural weirdness’.

Prateek Kohli: Denial (PBH’s Free Fringe) is ‘a stand-up comedy show about the everyday absurdities of India, the US and the UK where Prateek has lived and performed’.

The Big Fat Whisky Quiz is at The Mother Superior –‘expect drams to sample, ridiculous trivia, strange history and surprising facts as teams compete for glory’.

‘The critically acclaimed debut show about suffering (and smiling) from Nigerian stand-up Ayoade Bamgboye,’ Swings And Roundabouts is back at Pleasance ‘for three nights only!’

Chris Forbes: Stop Watering Dead Flowers (The Stand Comedy Club) is ‘the podcast for anyone haunted by their worst decisions, awkward encounters and facepalm-worthy life chapters. We dive into the messy, hilarious and painfully human stories we wish we could forget – and learn how to finally release the grip they have on us’.

Live Comedy from Toronto (theSpaceUK) is somewhat misleading. ‘Everyone in Toronto is from somewhere else so we brought the best and brightest from everywhere else: Michi (Chile), Clif Knight (Guyana), Dimi Kolovopoulos (Greece), Arsy (Iran), Manny Mangat (India). It’s like the World Cup from the 6ix.’

‘Bronwyn Farkas (she/her) and Sophie Jean (they/them) are experienced actors and improvisers who found a shared voice in sketch comedy’ – they’re in She/They at Venue 13.

The Tokyo Idiots presents The Ultimate Japanese Comedy Show at WU, ‘as three of Japan’s wildest and most outrageous comedians take the stage together’. Featuring Tonikaku, Gassy and Wes-P.

In Your Choice Amanda Royce at ZOO, ‘this bold, brash and brazen character comedy skewers politics, delivering an audacious, hilarious ride through failure, spicy opinions, hot flushes, and maybe even a revolution’.

There’s also an array of famous and familiar faces returning to the Fringe, including Reuben Kaye, Frank Skinner, Gail Porter, Julian Clary, Reginald D Hunter (Assembly), Fred MacAulay, Paul Black, Jamie Kilstein, Mhairi Black (Gilded Balloon), Vittorio Angelone (Assembly, Monkey Barrel Comedy and The Stand Comedy Club), Catherine Bohart, Glenn Moore, John Kearns, Phil Wang, Rose Matafeo, Tiff Stevenson (Monkey Barrel Comedy), Emmanuel Sonubi (PBH’s Free Fringe), Andrew Maxwell, Nick Helm, Tim Vine (Pleasance), Glenn Wool (Scottish Comedy Festival), Nina Conti, Rory Bremner, Sara Pascoe and Simon Amstell (Underbelly).

Dance, physical theatre and circus

At Assembly @ Dance Base, ‘Busan International Dance Festival presents the next generation of Korean choreographers in a double bill featuring Kim Hyung-min’s DeRuWa, where five dancers are propelled by an accelerating beat, and Hwang Jungeun’s Hazy, a captivating, visceral and intimate solo’.

‘Dick and Dale are taking the audience on a camping trip full of dad jokes, dance moves, acrobatics, movie references and unthreatening audience participation’ in Well-Balanced Dads at Braw Venues.

Agathi – The Plight of the Refugee (C ARTS) is a ‘poignant dance-theatre production by Apsaras Dance Company that brings to life the deeply human stories of refugees. Inspired by Artistic Director Aravinth Kumarasamy’s own experiences, it explores displacement, identity and resilience through a compelling blend of Bharatanatyam, theatre and poetry.’

In The One You Feed at Central Hall, ‘Shauna Steele’s mesmerizing choreography fuses the precision of contemporary ballet with the raw powers of modern. As the struggle unfolds, we interweave, confront and explore the existential idea of the multitudes we contain, which version of ourselves we feed and where we remain.’

Ayre ‘is a multi-disciplinary, family-friendly performance inspired by flamenco, Indian dance, Scottish folk, Brazilian rhythms and other world music and dance traditions’ – it’s at Edinburgh New Town Church.

In °Up: Violin vs Football – France Showcase (French Institute in Scotland), ‘two artists from very different worlds meet on stage for an unexpected duet. Blending freestyle football with live music, °Up transforms the stage into a poetic playground.’

‘Drawing from performance, meditation and lived inquiry,’ Carpathyo: Becoming the Future You (Greenside) ‘moves between stillness and expression: offering a sensory and reflective journey into becoming’.

‘What began as a provocation to create a physical theatre piece inspired by a fairy tale was further developed around Erikson’s Stages of Development to explore life through a lens not often seen in storytelling.’ The result is The Moon at Nicolson Square Venues.

Springboard ’26 (PASS Theatre) is ‘a curated programme of theatre, dance and physical theatre produced by PASS (Edinburgh College)… a mixed bill of original work from emerging artists and recent graduates’.

‘Powerful, raw and emotional, Glass Child (Summerhall) goes beyond fiction and theatre to showcase the extraordinary love of two siblings, Kayah, a young man with Down syndrome, and his sister Maitreyah. Expressed through dance, theatre and storytelling, Glass Child highlights their connection and how their lives have been affected by other people’s perceptions.’

Xiaowei Ren performs Spiral at theSpaceUK, desiring ‘to break down a disciplined body and cross its boundaries to discover a comfortable, natural way of dancing… We may spiral upwards in growth, but we can also spiral downwards, without knowing where life will take us.’

‘Inspired by the traditions of Palestinian folk dance Dabkeh and its iconic rhythm Wahdeh w Nos, The Palestinian Circus: Step and a Half (Underbelly) is ‘a cultural spectacle for all ages’.

Strange Tales at ZOO is a ‘contemporary dance-theatre adaptation of Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio, Pu Songling’s celebrated 17th-century Chinese ghost-story collection. In a dreamlike nocturnal world where humans, foxes and spirits intertwine, desire swells, collisions unfold, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to dissolve.’

Music

Sobremesa – Where Words and Music Meet at the Table (Alba Flamenca) is ‘a multidisciplinary performance inspired by the Spanish tradition of lingering at the table in conversation long after a meal… Performed by flute and guitar, Sobremesa blends folk and classical music, from Bach to Flamenco and beyond.’

In Edinburgh Shanty Night vs the Fringe (Argyle Cellar Bar), ‘Edinburgh’s fastest growing community music night takes on the Fringe with an hour of song, storytelling and seafaring. Seasoned sailors and lyric-less landlubbers alike welcome.’

Around the World in 60 Minutes is at artSpace@StMarks, ‘exploring different languages, musical genres and the meaning of travelling through lands and cultures’.

At Assembly, ‘the Ndlovu Youth Choir makes its Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with a high-energy spectacle that blends African music, choreography and global hits into a vibrant, unforgettable experience’.

At Brewhemia, Showtime – West End Musical Choir brings ‘your favourite songs from screen and stage to the Edinburgh Fringe! Featuring songs from Fringe originated shows such as SIX! The Musical and Operation Mincemeat, plus many more!’

‘Father Mychal Judge was serving as NYC Fire Chaplain on the morning of 9/11 when the call came that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Immediately he went to help, a decision that led to his death and designation as Victim 0001. Stations of Mychal (Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church and The Edinburgh Academy) is a dramatic song cycle that tells the story of Fr. Mychal’s life and death.’

‘The voice of the santur, an ancient Persian dulcimer played with mallets, represents not only Iranian heritage, but also a universal bridge to bring people closer together across cultures, reminding us of our shared humanity.’ You can hear it in Behnam Ghazanfaripour – The Music of the Sentour at C ARTS.

‘European folk songs, K-Pop classics, American swing, this concert has it all! Prepare to be transported on a musical adventure that showcases Tutti’s versatility’ in Tutti Orchestra: Around the World (Canongate Kirk).

Japanese pianist Akiko Okamoto returns to perform two shows at Edinburgh New Town Church for Fringe 2026: Akiko Okamoto in Concert features ‘works by Chopin, Schubert, Gershwin and others’, while Akiko Okamoto Plays Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto features accompaniment by a string ensemble.

‘Inspired by classic video games, Extra Lives: The Interactive Video Game Concert (Gilded Balloon) ‘blends live music, storytelling and interactive gameplay into an epic journey where anything can happen’.

Fysics I: Songs for Voice and Guitar (Gladstone’s Land) features ‘original songs for voice and guitar by American singer-songwriter Josef Lamberti. An intimate acoustic performance with expressive guitar playing, fingerstyle instrumentals, memorable melodies and moments of intensity and energy.’

‘Music, myth and moving image converge in a mesmeric performance reframing Scotland’s darker ballads and folklore’ in Sand, Silt, Flint at Greenside, part of the Made in Scotland showcase.

Greyfriars Kirk is home to a pair of Wallace & Gromit screenings with live musical accompaniment: A Grand Day Out and The Wrong Trousers, ‘blending brilliant brass, British humour and a dash of Wensleydale charm’.

At Hope City Church Edinburgh, The Corner Room at the Fringe is home to a variety of different performances, including contemporary jazz outfit the Timmy Allan Quintet and an improvised dance and music work by Matt Gough.

At Just The Tonic, Let’s Listen to Some of Lou Bega’s Other Songs Together for an Hour does exactly what it says on the tin, with ‘songs such as: I Got a Girl, Sweet Like Cola, Scatman & Hatman, Sweet Like Cola (Stereoact Remix) and Bongo Bong’.

La Belle Angele has programmed a series of contemporary gigs this August, including An Evening with The Magic Numbers, indie-folk project This Is The Kit and ‘mighty North East riff magnates’ Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.

The Days Between at Leith Arches is ‘a five-night celebration of Jerry Garcia. Blending Grateful Dead favourites, Jerry Garcia Band gems, and solo material: each show offers a completely different set list – no repeats, no two nights the same’.

Nosferatu with Live Score (Leith Depot) pairs the 1922 silent horror film with a new soundtrack by ‘award-winning guitarist and composer Graeme Stephen’.

Piano Fug-itiv (Munro Community Centre) promises ‘a piano powered set. Bach 2 Boogie! O taste and see. A refined set of music chasing shadows of vintage masters.’

Old Saint Paul’s Summer Concerts take place at – where else? – Old Saint Paul’s Church, promising ‘innovative concerts of rarely heard vocal and instrumental music in this beautiful church in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town’.

‘With six vocalists, live beatboxing and integrated vocal technology – expect a high-energy set of pop / R&B classics and originals’ at After Hours Vocals: Welcome to the Club (Paradise Green).

‘Old-time jazz classics accompanied by Jellobelly on his unique cello-bass will make you forget any Fringe madness while you enjoy a quality beverage and cake’ at Vroni’s Streetpiano Party (Pianodrome at St Oswald’s Centre).

WACAPPELLA (Ps & Gs Church and Saint Stephen’s Theatre) ‘sing in unaccompanied four-part harmony, led by our enthusiastic and creative musical director, Oliver Squibb. In our shows we will entertain you with a varied feast of music, including pop songs by Elbow, Pink and Queen, film and musical numbers such as Footloose and The Little Mermaid, and even the opera classic – Nessun Dorma.’

A History of Jazz In Four Saxophones (Scottish Arts Club) ‘sees Mark McKergow talking about and performing more music of the sax giants – on the same model vintage saxophones they played! Discover the saxes and music made famous by Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan and more.’

Colours in Traditional Japanese Music (St Cecilia’s Hall) ‘explores the tonal colours of Kabuki theatre, contrasting the powerful, rhythmic energy of drums with the elegant, delicate melodies of the flute’.

At St Cuthbert’s Church, the 90-strong Scottish Sinfonia performs ‘Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous Swan Lake Ballet Suite, Rachmaninov’s ever popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, featuring virtuoso pianist, Maya Irgalina, together with Prokofiev’s dramatic Symphony No 4’.

Illuminata at St Giles’ Cathedral features ‘music by JS Bach, Hildegard Von Bingen, Jack Oades, John Tavener… performed by Susan Hamilton (soprano), Lucia Capellaro (cello) and Maria Rud (live painting projected onto the cathedral interior).’

At St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, ‘musicians of the Tanaka School invite their audience to discover the comprehensive artistic essence of Noh and Kabuki through live performance’ in The Beauty of Sound in Japanese Traditional Performing Art 2026.

Emma Miller: Live at St Vincent’s Chapel is at St Vincent’s this August – ‘her songs will uncover something deep within you if her exquisitely soulful vocals don’t floor you first’.

Performer Chris Seed ‘creates a unique blend of improvisations: combining his 1826 mirror fortepiano with a modern electronic keyboard’ in Improvisations on a Left-Handed Piano at Stockbridge Church.

Concerts of the Future at Summerhall ‘is a cutting-edge VR experience that invites you onto the stage to perform alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – no musical experience required’.

‘Glasgow’s multi award-winning and world-travelled Brian Molley Quartet bring the heat of the Rio Carnival to the coolest jazz venue in Edinburgh’ in Espirito do Brasil at The Jazz Bar.

At The Queen’s Hall, ‘legendary 70s folk-rock pioneers, Lindisfarne, return with a classic five-piece line-up of long-time members fronted by founder/member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar’.

Guitarist Joe Jedson is joined by some special guests as he offers an acoustic preview of his upcoming album in A New Blend at the Royal Oak: Joe Jedson, Album Preview (The Royal Oak).

Wagner’s Ring for people who can’t be bothered to sit through it (The Royal Scots Club) is ‘a completely fresh, interactive and hilarious retelling of Richard Wagner’s 16-hour epic The Ring of the Nibelung’.

At The Salvation Army Edinburgh City Corps, audiences can ‘enjoy an evening of Peace and Harmony in the company of a much-loved Edinburgh choir. A family-friendly musical experience featuring popular tunes, show tunes and old favourites – there’s something for everyone.’

Crazy Little Sing Called Pub is at The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club, inviting audiences to become performers. ‘With lyrics on a big screen and guitar accompaniment, you won’t need anything except your voice, your ears and some drinks!’

Michelle McManus and Anna Welander Present: Talk About Pop Music at The Stand Comedy Club, taking audiences ‘through the history of POP, via quizzes, audience participation, singalongs and more’.

At theSpaceUK, ‘friends Sam, Lily and Harry host a musical podcast called 1-800-Harmony-Hotline, in which they receive queries from listeners about their personal lives – relationships, self-image, dilemmas – asking our hosts for advice on how to tackle these issues’ (accompanied by appropriate pop songs).

At Ukrainian Community Centre, ‘Chloe Matharu is an award-winning Scottish-Indian singer, songwriter and harpist from the West Coast of Scotland. Many of her songs draw on her time as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, inspired by the natural world as experienced at sea.’

Daniel Cainer: What Am I, Chopped Liver? is at Underbelly, offering ‘a new collection of smart, funny and deeply moving story-songs for anyone who has wrestled with their heritage, their history, their home and their heart’.

Audiences can catch Footstomping Live Scottish Music at WHISKI Bar & Restaurant. ‘Toes will be tapping to our vibrant mix of instruments playing live traditional Scottish music – fiddles, accordions, guitars and whistles playing in harmony.’

As ever, there is a wide range of tribute shows to choose from at this year’s festival, including Joni Mitchell: Take Me As I Am (Assembly), Beefheart – Big Dummies! (Bannermans), ABBA Gold The Concert (Ghillie Dhu), Just Radiohead (La Belle Angele), Allman Brothers Appreciation by Safehouse and JJ Cale Appreciation Show (both Stramash), Lean On Me – A Bill Withers Tribute and Soundbone plays Led Zep (both The Jazz Bar), Shirley Bassey: The Life of a Dame (Argyle Cellar Bar), Hans Zimmer’s Hollywood (St Vincent’s) and The Dolly Parton Story and The Kate Bush Story (both theSpaceUK).

Musicals and opera

‘Fringe-fave Baby Wants Candy and Schultz & Schirm present a dark, funny, thought-provoking, occasionally filthy new musical about who gets to write the ending’ – it’s the fairytale-themed Grimm AF at Assembly.

Forth Children’s Theatre returns to the Fringe with Disney’s Frozen The Musical at Broughton High School, featuring ‘a cast of young people from Edinburgh and the surrounding areas’.

Liu Ling Zui (Old Drunk) at C ARTS is an ‘immersive, multi-space promenade performance’ in which ancient Chinese poet Liu Ling and a modern-day academic ‘embark on a poetic dialogue over a drink’.

The Denver School of the Arts Theatre Department presents Legally Blonde JR at Central Hall, an adaptation of the Hollywood movie tackling ‘stereotypes and scandal with humour, heart and show-stopping songs’.

The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company’s production of To Broadway and Back Again (Edinburgh New Town Church) features ‘music from Kinky Boots, Come from Away, Sister Act, Les Misérables and many more’.

Endometriosis: The Musical (Gilded Balloon) ‘follows one woman’s hilarious, infuriating and ultimately triumphant journey through a healthcare system that seems to value neither health nor care’.

In The Spy Who Came in from the Park at Greenside, ‘a loyal North Korean sleeper agent in Japan receives a surreal mission: escorting the regime’s headstrong heir through a capitalist theme park. Inside this “dream factory,” his ideological devotion cracks.’

Keaomelemele (Nicolson Square Venues) ‘is a breath-taking stage production by Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i that brings Hawaiian mythology to life through music, dance and chant’.

An amateur production of the Stephen King novel, Carrie: The Musical is at Paradise Green. ‘Find out what happens when Carrie is pushed too far by her high-school bullies on the most anticipated night of the year: senior prom.’

Elizabeth I: Regina Vagina (PBH’s Free Fringe) is ‘an in-depth exploration of the folds of a woman who’s been documented as much for her body and sexuality as her actual achievements and success’.

‘Sometimes the easiest way to tell people about a buddy of yours is to write a musical. In this musical séance that’s equal parts Bo Burnham and Tick, Tick… Boom!, you’re invited to meet the legend himself: The Real Kyle McCarren (Pleasance).’

‘Created by Blood Brothers director Bob Tomson, and Brian Spence, whose songs have been recorded by Michael Ball, Dusty Springfield and The Tremeloes,’ Edinburgh Days (St Bride’s Community Centre) is an ‘epic Celt-Rock musical of passion, betrayal and twisted romance’.

‘Continually frustrated by John Reith, dismissive boss of the BBC, fighting giant corporations like Marconi, helped by King George V but closed down by Hitler and enjoying a spicy and irregular love life, John Logie Baird comes alive’ in John Logie Baird – The Musical at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church.

Princess Diana: The Musical (St Vincent’s) ‘combines the best of Scotland’s music theatre and operatic voices for a truly unforgettable royal performance’ featuring ‘Princess Di, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Paul Burrell, Martin Bashir and the dastardly Paparazzi’.

‘International guest singers join Aria Alba’s ensemble to tell the stories of two women navigating love, betrayal, abuse and excitement’ in Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci at Stockbridge Church.

‘Based on the script by Gao Xingjian, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2000, NTNUGIPA from Taiwan performs the sell-out musical Mountains and Seas: A Mandarin Rock Musical (theSpaceUK) this year, presenting the ancient mythologies in a modern rock’n’roll style.’

Woody Sez (Underbelly) is an ‘award-winning show celebrating the life and career of folk-legend Woody Guthrie… an authentically American musical journey, using Guthrie’s own words and over two dozen of his timeless songs in one joyous, toe-tapping musical’.

Spoken word

Audiences are invite to An Audience with Marvin Herbert (C ARTS) to ‘find out why a near-death experience led him to turn his back on his criminal past, and what motivated him to become the reformed person he is today’.

Mariella Frostrup is joined by Gina Bellman in ‘a collective reckoning with the extraordinary, infuriating and darkly hilarious history of menopause itself’ – it’s Mariella Frostrup: Cracking the Menopause at Gilded Balloon.

Poet Sam Steele presents Poems for People Who Don’t Like Poetry at Greenside, ‘the antidote to anyone who thinks poetry is the highfalutin domain of sonnet wheedling PhDs’.

‘A failed rockstar stumbles into band management to live the dream vicariously’ in Andy Macleod’s Soho Days and Camden Nights at Just The Tonic.

‘Sharath Jeevan OBE – a leading advisor and Founder of the Generational Success Lab at Oxford’s Said Business School – invites us to rethink what legacy truly means’ in Sharath Jeevan OBE – Meek Inheritance: Are Me and My Kids Doomed? (Panmure House).

In The Naked Truth at Paradise Green, performer Lynne Jones ‘explores gender, sexuality, relationship diversity and the messiness of mid-life transitions, sharing stories with clarity and confidence, without pretending everything is neatly resolved’.

‘One of only a handful of shows you’ll see this summer featuring both full frontal non-erotic nudity AND Flat Earth conspiracy theory themed poetry,’ Scott Manley Hadley Exposes Themselves and the Shape of the Earth (It’s Flat) at PBH’s Free Fringe.

The ScotlandsFest event series at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church ‘celebrates the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland’, with events including Between the Stones: Scotland Through Outlander, Fortunes from Flesh – Scotland and Slavery and Trust Issues, Fake News, Real Poems.

‘Former director of the Fringe Paul Gudgin charts the festival’s extraordinary history’ in The Fringe Story (The Pend), ‘sharing milestones, colourful stories and defining moments, while offering insights into life at the heart of four weeks of chaos and creativity’.

‘Dr Julian Mayers asks if studying the cosmos gives us any useful insight into life, death and all those awkward moments in between on Earth’ in A Cosmologist’s Guide To Life and Love at The Royal Scots Club.

Previously known as the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas, academic-comedy crossover show The Provocateurs returns to The Stand Comedy Club with a series of double-bills, including Bridget Jones Meets the Existentialists / Forensic Jewellery, This Library Needs a DJ / Superhero Porn and Haven from Fascism? / Spermageddon.

Also at The Stand Comedy Club, Carnation Productions presents a series of in-person discussions, with guests including Andy Burnham, Ian Rankin, Jackie Kay and Jeremy Corbyn.

At theSpaceUK, The Dolphins Are Still Singing. Can You Hear Them? The Epic of Lee, Me and the Tree ‘is a true funny, mystical, off-kilter soulful journey through love, loss and environmental defiance’.

Theatre

‘In 1954, the BBC made its first-ever documentary about male homosexuality. At the time, the topic was so taboo that the finished radio programme was promptly banned.’ Now, ‘with special agreement from the BBC,’ the transcript is ‘brought to life by award-winning writer Stephen M Hornby in a newly expanded dramatization,’ The BBC’s First Homosexual (Assembly).

‘Inspired by the events of Pete Burns Unspun, but told through the eyes of the modern onlooker allowing us to revel in absurdity and oddity making it an all-round funny, very cheeky and dare I say Fringey time’, Sire and Madge is at Bedlam Theatre.

‘Follow Lucy (half-English, half-Turkish, raised in Indonesia) as she sheds her teacher skin for the arts, forced to face the void in the process’ in chameleon; mirage at Braw Venues.

‘Award-winning Fringe favourites Grid Iron present the world premiere of Mayflies, a site-specific adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s best-selling novel’ at Brown’s of Leith. Part of the Made in Scotland showcase.

‘Writer Paul Stone has researched the experiences of Indian Army and queer soldiers to celebrate our shared history’ in Night Falls on Burma at C ARTS.

In The Last Word at Cask and Vine, audience members are invited to sip cocktails and perhaps even ‘become part of the cast and read the script with us’ in a show about ‘laughs, drinks, and appreciating the little things’.

‘From awkward first clients to a night that spirals out of control,’ A Gay Masseur’s Guide to Happy Endings (Greenside) ‘explores intimacy, shame and survival in a world where attention feels like love.’

Verona Nights (Central Hall) ‘is a playful ensemble musical comedy, created and performed by nine college artists. Inspired by classic tales of star-crossed love, the show follows rival groups whose loyalties are thrown into chaos when unexpected romance sparks.’

‘This science-performance art show bounces from Jane Goodall’s discoveries to AI analyses of cat language to evolution and empathy, using storytelling, puppetry, singing, video and animal drag to ask how close we really are to other animals’ – it’s HumAnimalia at Dynamic Earth.

‘From Tehran to broadcast studios,’ Long Way Home (Gilded Balloon) ‘asks what must be sacrificed, reshaped or concealed in order to be seen. And how do you find home when it feels like you’ve left it behind?’

In My Dead Mum’s AI Boyfriend at Hoots, Carrie must fulfil her mum’s last wishes by going on a road trip to Wales – accompanied by the chatbot her mum has been ‘dating’ for eight years.

‘Heartbroken comedian George travels to the Isle of No’Man (Just The Tonic) to stave off men. Before long he finds himself the pinnacle of a love triangle between a Hollywood hunk and a sexy sailor. Will he manage to mend his broken heart and be open to love again?’

‘After slumbering for thousands of years, The Augur (Laughing Horse) is a misanthropic and ornery oracle with a penchant for ornithological oration. This intimate performance fuses puppetry, improv and the occult.’

At Le Monde, No One Dies… Probably follows Brad, an unsuccessful assassin who’s reconsidering his career choices. ‘Will he walk away with his morals intact, or crumble under the pressures of his “assassin” line manager?’

‘50 years on from its Edinburgh premiere, this brand new production of David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr’s The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth (Newington Trinity Church) is brought to the Fringe by Edinburgh People’s Theatre, the only company to perform at every Fringe since 1947.’

In Sin-Eaters (Nicolson Square Venues), ‘the St Anne’s County Debutante Class of 2000 has been struck with a plague of lice… They decide to revive the ancient ritual of sin-eating to cleanse them of their misdeeds before their presentation to society.’

‘After her mother’s death, a British-Pakistani woman moves to Boston – where a 6’5″ Puerto Rican hip hop dancer from the Bronx teaches her how to dance, how to take up space and how to battle.’ It’s Jerk Off! at Underbelly.

Return to the Hiding Place at Palmerston Place Church is ‘a moving reimagining of Corrie Ten Boom’s biographical tale of forgiveness and reconciliation in the shadows of WWII. Her family bravely hide Jews in their small clock shop and the consequences are dark and devastating.’

‘Adapted from Elton Lau-Ho Cheung’s award-winning script at the Hong Kong Drama Awards,’ Waiting For The Match (Duet Version) at Paradise Green ‘begins when a matchmaking agency famed for its “100% success rate” sees two clients abruptly thrown off script’ when ‘a young man, pressured by family expectations, confesses a long-hidden love for another man.’

‘As America becomes ever more preoccupied with oppressing the T (Trans) in LGBT, crossdressing comedy storyteller CC asks: “What’s the story behind the straight men who pursue us carnally?”’ Top GRRL! Pay Him to Peg You is at PBH’s Free Fringe.

In Golden Beryl: Special Oblivion (Pianodrome at St Oswald’s Centre), audiences are invited to ‘join us in the surreal world of Golden Beryl for fragmented monologues, absurd character studies and off-kilter narratives in the beautifully iconic Pianodrome Amphitheatre’.

Fringe-goers will have the opportunity to see a ‘legendary, critically acclaimed production’ handled by an acting legend in Dylan Thomas: Return Journey – Bob Kingdom, Original Direction by Anthony Hopkins (Pleasance).

‘Written using text from recorded interviews with two queer couples, Define Queerness (Venue 13) showcases a variety of experiences and issues regarding queer love in an authentic and personal way.’

‘A forensic psychiatrist evaluates the mental sanity of a serial killer at the request of the courts to determine whether he can be held accountable for his 13 violent crimes against young boys’ in The Vampire of Rio (Rotunda Theatre).

Through the Shortbread Tin is at Scottish Storytelling Centre, drawing parallels between 18^th-century poet James Macpherson’s ‘Ossian’ literary hoax and an exploration of playwright Martin O’Conner’s ‘own relationship with Scottish culture’. Part of the Made in Scotland showcase.

‘In a party of pick’n’mix participation, acclaimed Aboriginal choreographer, Joel Bray, hankers for his father and their lost mother tongue’ in Daddy at Summerhall.

‘Award-winning artist Duane Forrest brings the timeless music of Nat King Cole to life through soulful performance and storytelling’ in Tenderly: The Life and Times of Nat King Cole at The Jazz Bar.

‘From nursery school to cocktail parties. Joyce Grenfell conjured colourful characters for our pleasure. Spend time with Lumpy Latimer, Mrs Fanshawe and George’ in George, Don’t Do That… The Joy of Joyce Grenfell (The Royal Scots Club).

In The Last Drop at ZOO, ‘a couple awaits a real estate agent to visit their historic but decayed apartment. A mould stain appears on the ceiling, revealing an unstoppable leak. A man is then called in to fix the ceiling but abruptly disappears.’ Part of São Paulo Showcase.

‘Through whispered conversations with Water Dwellers on Hong Kong’s outlying islands – sharing stories once forgotten – Departure Is My Homecoming (theSpaceUK) weaves lineage, history and imagination, piecing together fragments left between ocean and land, in an endeavour to return to the village left four decades ago.’