It’s 2023, so that can only mean one thing: we have said goodbye to our beloved Christmas markets, and the next Edinburgh Fringe is coming closer: August is going to be creeping up on us sooner than we think. Whether you’re looking to see all the shows and drink at all the pop-up bars, sub-let your flat to earn some bank (don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone), or leave the city altogether to avoid the crowds, preparation is vital.
Edinburgh Fringe is described as ‘the greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet’, and it certainly lives up to the name. Edinburgh comes alive every year in August and is filled with positive vibes, pop-up bars and plenty of shows on and off the streets for everyone to enjoy. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy theatre shows, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events from all around the world.
Edinburgh Fringe will mark its 76th year honourably showcasing European, and now worldwide, cultural life. The Fringe was first founded in 1947 just after the Second World War to give people something to look forward to after an incredibly challenging time. By 1958, the festival has launched their box office and had seen tremendous growth ever since.
When is Edinburgh Fringe 2023?
This year, the festival will take place on August 4 – 28, and registration for this year’s Fringe acts begins on January 9. If you would like to register your show, you can do so here.
The first batch of the programme has been released on February 16, followed by the second release on March 30, and a third batch being published on May 11.
The final announcement and the full programme of the shows will be out on June 8.
Where is The Fringe taking place?
While the full list of exact locations has not been confirmed yet, every year we see similar spots like George Square Gardens, Bristo Square, Gilded Balloon, Underbelly, The Stand Comedy Club, The Pleasance Courtyard and multiple venues and bars across the city. We also expect (or rather hope) lots of free shows will be returning to The Three Sisters. Edinburgh Fringe will also have a presence in Edinburgh’s touristy Grassmarket for the first time, as Assembly joins forces with Dance Base, a programme of dance and physical theatre will be revealed this April.
Edinburgh Fringe line-up so far
The second round of shows have been announced for Fringe 2023 this March, with some exciting acts so far. Tickets for over a thousand shows are also already live, and more shows will be announced on May 11.
As of February, some theatre highlights include Call Me Elizabeth on the movie star’s early life at theSpaceUK, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Nightmare at Greenside and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story at Pleasance.
The comedy side is back with Grace Campbell with her show A Show About More Me(n) at the Gilded Balloon, Daniel Sloss at the Edinburgh Playhouse or Geoff Norcott at Underbelly.
Musicals are also a big part of the Fringe, and Potty the Plant at Gilded Balloon is a ‘new dark-comedy musical starring Potty, a singing, talking, tap-dancing pot plant’.
As usual, guests are also going to be able to also see cabaret, dance and physical theatre performances, as well as spoken word and children’s shows.
Reflecting on the new announcement, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It feels like August is just around the corner, and once again Edinburgh will be filled with artists, creatives, and people with amazing stories to tell.”
“From theatre to comedy, cabaret to music, children’s shows to circus; the shows going on sale today represent the breadth and depth of creativity that will be bursting from every seam of Edinburgh this August. The Fringe and all its moving parts are still in recovery, I encourage you to support the artists and their work this summer, get browsing, get booking and come and see their shows.”