Exhilarating, wild and pleasingly unpredictable, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a one-of-a-kind spectacle in the world of live entertainment. The event is the pride of the Scottish capital and is renowned as the largest arts festival in the world.
The iconic Fringe Festival has hosted over 55,000 performances of more than 3,500 shows in 317 different venues across the city. To help you make the most of this rich celebration of life, check out our Edinburgh Fringe 2022 guide for some top tips for planning your visit.
Edinburgh Fringe Guide: Come Well Equipped
Just because the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 is taking place throughout August – don’t count on guaranteed sunshine! Scottish weather is notoriously temperamental, with glorious sun one minute and a thunderous storm the next.
Because you’ll most likely be queuing outside, our best advice would be to bring a compact waterproof jacket and umbrella with you. It can also get very warm inside some of the older venues, so be prepared to shed a layer or two once you’re inside.
What’s in Store for Fringe 2022?
Be ready to witness some of the best Edinburgh Fringe shows this year. From hilarious family comedies like The Hound of The Baskervilles to iconic theatre shows featuring Counting & Cracking, Burn, Exodus and many more. The Fringe Festival is undoubtedly jam-packed with the best performances this summer. So, if you want to make the most of the Edinburgh Fringe shows and don’t want to miss your favourite Edinburgh Festival comedians and acts, these tips are here to help you out!
Plan Carefully
With so much excitement and activity happening at all hours during Fringe 2022, it’s tempting to try and pack in as many shows as possible each day. While it is possible to visit eight shows or more in the space of 24 hours, rushing from show to show doesn’t leave you any time to relax.
Our top Fringe Festival tip is to aim to see three performances, spaced out throughout the day and bear in mind that most shows last about an hour. Theatre usually takes place in the morning while comedy gigs are normally at night.
Don’t Miss the Royal Mile
If there is one part of the colourful Edinburgh Festival you can’t miss out on, it’s the vibrant array of talent found along the Royal Mile.
This historic street is full to the brim with buskers, bagpipers and entertainers, and many of the cast members will be here dressed up and handing out fliers, so be sure to take the opportunity to soak up the bustling Fringe 2022 atmosphere along the Royal Mile.
Talk to People
If you haven’t decided which shows you’d like to see, take the time to consult some reviews – or simply talk to the locals. Word spreads fast when performance is particularly good, so this is a great way to gain info on some of the best Edinburgh Fringe shows.
While there’s always a chance you’ll end up seeing a dud, Edinburgh comedy consists of some of the UK’s best-loved comics who have made their name at the Edinburgh comedy festival, and besides, taking a chance on a show you’ve never heard of is all part of the fun.
Eat Local
Don’t forget to dig into some local Edinburgh food and specialities while you’re in the area, like the classic haggis, neeps and tatties, or a meaty Scotch Pie at some of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. Fans of the book and movie phenomenon Harry Potter will love a chance to visit the Elephant House.
JK Rowling wrote her wizarding hero’s early adventures at this charming coffee shop, looking out on a beautiful view of Edinburgh Castle, so be sure to find places to eat in Edinburgh with great food and a fantastic atmosphere too!
Pick up a Bargain
The average price for a Fringe Festival show is around a reasonable £10, but if you want to visit more than three a day, it can quickly add up. For those looking to laugh on the cheap, you can swing by the Virgin Money Half-Price Hut, where many shows are offered at a 50% discount.
For those on a very limited budget, plenty of performances won’t cost you a penny. Many of the free shows in previous years have gone on to win numerous awards, so you never know what you’re going to get!
Escape the Festival
It’s so easy to get carried away with the Fringe Festival madness and overdo it, so it’s essential to make sure to retreat to some of this UNESCO World Heritage city’s quieter spaces to help avoid festival fatigue. Other places to visit in Edinburgh, like the Royal Botanic Garden at Inverleith Row, offer a peaceful oasis with 72 acres of stunning natural scenery.
Of course, a peek at the sparkling Scottish Crown Jewels guarded in Edinburgh Castle is a must too, and – if you’re up for it – climb up Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park for an unforgettable view of the magnificent Scottish capital. For more nearby things to do check out our Edinburgh guide.
Don’t be Late
While many Fringe Festival venues are located next to or near one another in the Old Town, some venues can take a while to get to. If you’re hoping to escape being heckled by comedians, try to avoid being the last person through the door, lest you become the butt of the joke for the rest of the evening!
