The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a major cultural and social event in Europe. Many consider it the world’s biggest cultural event of art and culture as they believe the Edinburgh festival fringe is only left behind in terms of crowd & performance after the Olympics and Soccer World Cup.
1. History Of Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The history of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe goes back to 1947; in 2022, it celebrated 75 years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
In 1947, eight theatre groups participated in the Edinburgh International Festival. These groups were not part of the official programme of the International Festival, but the organizers didn’t stop these performers; they just performed and staged on the Fringe of the Festival, which is named the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
People from all over Europe come to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to see, perform and enjoy art of all types, and it soon became an annual cultural event in Scotland.
The constitution of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society guarantees the freedom of expression and no vetting of performances & it’s the essence of this Edinburgh festival. Anyone performers need not require prior permission.
2. Time And Venues
Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an annual event; it’s a performing arts festival, where for three weeks in August every year, theatre companies from across the world come and make it the largest arts festival.
Performers and artists perform all types of arts, cabaret, musicals, spoken word performances, opera shows, dance, children’s shows, street performances, and physical theatre, all at different venues in the city centre of Edinburgh & the old town of Edinburgh.
The venue is an entire city of Edinburgh, with hundreds of stages prepared for performers of all types and tastes of performance. The free fringe venue is more of a crowd attraction these days.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society structures the events, sets up the venues ( Big & Smaller venues), sets the free shows, and the box office for ticketing operates the Edinburgh Fringe app and overlooks the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
They do not make or select any performances, do not invite anyone to perform and do not cover charges. Society is here to provide the support, guidance and resources necessary to perform your art and works as a facilitator.
3. Performers & Events
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society allows all art performances without any prior screening. Some are free shows; some shows require advanced booking.
Some official shows during the festival are comedy, dance, cabaret, physical theatre, musicals, opera, spoken word, children’s shows, circus, and so much more. There are more than 400 free shows that fall under different categories.
Some of the shows are explained below.
Comedy
Comedy is one of the largest sections of the Fringe Festival. It is one of the most popular sections and attracts a huge crowd. Most youngsters are inclined towards this category of the event. You will surely have a stomachache to laugh if you attend this event.
Street Shows
Fringe shows and street events are another major attraction; artists perform live on the street. The main purpose is to bring out new and raw talent in front of the audience and develop it. It is an open-access festival. Street events can be divided mainly into four categories. The street shows are further divided into some categories.
i. Mix
A mix of circus, street play, live music & stand-up comedy.
ii. Buskers
Mostly, busker performers are magicians, singers & mimicry artists. You will find a lot of buskers on the streets during the time of the Fringe Festival every year.
iii. Living Statutes
Another major attraction, with strange costumes and famous characters and performers, stands like a statue, and when you put a coin, these statues come to life and start performing for you.
iv. Festival Vendors
Festival vendors are those performers who exchange their skills on receipt of donations; mostly, they are portrait artists, astrologers, palmists, and face readers.
v. Street Performer
Street performers mostly connect with the audience; sometimes, they invite people from the crowd on stage to perform a magic trick.
“Pay What You Want” Shows
Pay what you want shows, where you purchase box office ticket sales in advance to guarantee entry. Half-price tickets and half-price huts are interesting concepts you will find here.
A certain percentage of tickets sold at the venue box office means ticket sales. Many shows offer two tickets at one ticket price on the first Monday; half price hut is a promotional last-minute ticket sale.
Several performers pull out a hat before you ask for a coin. As soon as you give them a coin or two, they will start entertaining you with their skills and talents.
4. Things To Know About Edinburgh Festival Fringe
It would be best if you kept some things in mind while visiting the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
1. Weather
The world’s biggest cultural festival happens every year in August. Edinburgh’s average temperature in August ranges between 18° / 11°, and rainfall is expected for 9-10 days, so it is better to be equipped to face the weather. Carrying umbrellas is always advisable.
2. Accommodation
Many people visit this place in August because of the Edinburgh festival fringe time; it is always better to book accommodations well in advance. Edinburgh people are very friendly so booking accommodations won’t be a problem.
3. Transport
Due to the fringe festival in August, streets are crowded in Edinburgh, so it is advisable to use public transport and avoid personal vehicles. Walking is the best way to reach short distances. While walking, you can see the real beauty of Edinburgh. Trams are also a better option on crowded roads.
4. Passenger Locator Form
If you are not a Britisher, don’t forget to fill out the passenger locator form at the Airport/ Bus station. It’s very helpful during fringe festival time.
5. Digital Currency
Digital currency ( Cards/ Credit &Debit) is easily acceptable in Edinburgh, even on public transport. English pound & US$ are easily acceptable everywhere. During the fringe time, it is better to use digital currency.
6. Never Offend Local People
Never offend local people. During fringe, people are in high spirits and always friendly with localities. English is spoken, but the accent may be different; it is better to understand what they are trying to say before replying. Edinburgh is a safe city, but visitors are advised to be extra cautious during the fringe.
7. Travel Plan
Fringe festival venues are at different-different places; plan your travel in such a way that you can reach your venues in time. The Fringe Society website can be useful in this case.
8. Food
Food is not a problem during the fringe; many street food stalls are there, selling everything from Indian food to Canadian to Continental. Getting vegetarian food is a little problem; street tap water is safe to drink. Food stalls and bars are in plenty of numbers at venues.
9. Planning
Planning is important, but unplanned and random things will give you more pleasure during the Fringe Festival. The fringe is a festival of free feelings and uses most free shows; free previews are also available online & on social media.
10. Show Selection
More than 300 Shows are at scattered venues, most of which are free; start with Royal Mile Street; assembly rooms, underbelly, and pleasance are big venues.
11. Punctuality
Always try to be on time for shows; it’s better to be a little early. It is because getting a seat in free shows is a challenge.
12. Balancing
Balancing the fringe is very important, both physically and mentally. Watching too many shows can also be very exhausting. Make sure that you select the show that interests you the most.
13. Patience
In August, because of the Fringe, Edinburgh is very crowded. Have patience in queues, wait for food, and wait for public transport.
5. Support The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is a non-profit organization which runs on donations and sponsorship.
Artists formed the Fringe Society to nurture and keep alive the fringe’s values of inclusive performance, new cultural experimentation and imagination and a free platform for new artists across the globe.
You can support the fringe by donating to the society, providing business sponsorship to the events, providing advice and volunteering for arrangements.
Final Note
Free atmosphere, great cultural exchange opportunities, free and fair art performers of different genres, it’s all in one place. Different groups like the Teachers’ Theatre Club and school clubs are there to help you learn. If you want to visit this place, this article will guide you. Make sure to enjoy yourself to the fullest at the Fringe Festival!
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Parina Parmar
