Edinburgh Festival / Fringe 2026

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It has started!

Does anyone have tips on what would be good to see this year?

Interested in theatre and comedy.

Thanks!

If you can get a ticket The Jolly Fisherman.

Saw 100 things you are overthinking yesterday. It was funny and part of the free fringe but we bought tickets.

The host of the show has a show 100 million fish in the aquarium and she was quite funny.

our friend we went with had seen one that he found hilarious about bus stops.

I always like Connor Burns, he’s a bit sweary- but is probably sold out now.

Loved Colin Cloud. His show is excellent

A ghost among the living

haven’t seen it this year yet but their plays are the first thing we book every year - stunning!

It’s completely sold out but saw Mayflies by Grid Iron yesterday and it was very good - but really wished I had brought tissues!

If you like chaos I really rate Mythos Ragnarok. Been to see it each year with my son and it's a super fun atmosphere and really different to anything else we've seen. It's quite loud though!

Yes, just saw this and it was excellent.

Thanks for all comments / suggestions.
Managed to book some short plays at Traverse so far!

Ndlovu, neither theatre nor comedy but a brilliant youth choir from South Africa at Assembly on the Mound.
Not usually my thing but we saw them join in with a community choir on Sunday on the free bit and they were lovely people, so we got tickets. Fantastic singing and dancing and such positive energy.

I’m going to see It’s a Fair Cop with Alfie Moore, very funny. Don’t know if you’ve listened to his radio show of the same name. Readily available online if you want to get an idea. Highly recommended.

Shitfaced Shakespeare has had some great reviews, but honestly it was just average. Plus the sears at McEwan Hall are really uncomfortable

i can see the point and money it brings in but feck its a nightmare if you stay up town needs moved to out with the city i do still love it but its a right pain and the rubbish already

I saw that last night and was laughing through most of it

We have seen some fun comedy, Matt Forde is always fantastic, Bella

The Big Bite Breakfast Show at the Pleasance is a great show - 5 little playlets all well done , actors were amazing. Free tea & coffee and a croissant given. Also Matt Forde political satire - funny and on the nose also at the Pleasance. Enjoy !

In loyal company by David William Bryan is incredible - best thing I’ve seen at the fringe / any theatre

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/david-william-bryan-in-loyal-company

Absolutely agree, he puts his heart into this show. Absolutely incredible and he is the loveliest guy too.

This. Quite happy staying oot in the suburbs and avoiding the city centre for the duration, thanks.

I work in the city centre so it’s total chaos just now. Buskers outside my window, people everywhere, some sort of show in the tent with truly piercing music… but I still love it. Totally appreciate living in the middle of it must be really difficult as I live just outside the insanity so can leave eventually.

It has been wonderful for my daughter though. She’s seen so many things - good shows and bad shows and book festival and people speaking dozens of languages… it’s wonderful for her. My son hates crowds and people so less so for him but he does have a favourite show. I just feel lucky to have all this on my doorstep each year.

I came back to recommend Sister of the seas. Local tiny theatre company on a teeny tiny stage but it’s super clever and really quite funny - with a bit of history as well. My daughter (13) and I loved it.

Some years we just ignore it and keep away, but have dipped in a bit more this year. Yesterday it was a lovely warm evening and great to see lots of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants.

However my big gripe this year is with the trams being off, the buses to and from Leith have been absolutely packed, plus the cruise ship passengers fill up the buses from Newhaven before you can even get on which is a PITA.

Yeah it’s quite unbelievable to watch I have no idea how he manages to fit all those characters and the story into an hour with such detail and emotion, it’s very impressive

I think she's only on this week, but Bron Lewis at the Pleasance is hysterical. Timing and structure is superb. Could have sold out a venue double the size IMO.

Box Tale Soup - Fantastic!

Don Giovanni tonight was stupendous. I was almost speechless by how good it was.

I live a 5 minute walk from West end of Princes Street. I love Edinburgh at this time of year.