We're delighted to unveil the first look of the new permanent home for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe community, aka Fringe Central.
Historically, Fringe Central was the name given to the Fringe’s annual temporary pop-up hub for artists, media and arts industry during August. From June 2026 Fringe Central will be a permanent place for everyone who participates in the Fringe, as well as being a new base for our team.
Over the last 12 months, the former schoolhouse at 6 Infirmary Street has undergone a major refurbishment, with accessibility and sustainability at its core. New features include air source heat pumps, an accessible Changing Places toilet and a new lift, all while preserving the history and aesthetic of both the building and the surrounding area.
Throughout the refurbishment process we have engaged with nearby schools who will benefit from access to the new building, and arranged performances and workshops with Royal Mile Primary School, Sciennes Primary School and James Gillespie’s High School as part of this process. We've also worked with community groups including Canongate Youth (co-tenants in the building) and LGBT Youth Scotland, building on the strong relationships that have developed thanks to the Fringe Days Out project.
We are extremely grateful for the funding support from the UK Government via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; The Foyle Foundation; SP Energy Networks Transmission Net Zero Fund; and Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund. We would also like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for supporting this project with the signing of a 99-year lease for the building.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Fringe Society, as we formally move into 6 Infirmary Street, which will be known from now as Fringe Central. For nearly 10 years we have had a desire to create a welcoming space for everyone involved with the Festival Fringe – from artists, producers and venues to Edinburgh’s residents and stakeholders across the city.
'We are extremely grateful to the UK Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and our wider funders and supporters for helping us realise this long-held ambition. With just weeks now until the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we can’t wait to open the doors to the thousands of participants coming to Edinburgh this August for the most important cultural event in the world.’
Arts Minister Ian Murray said: ‘The Fringe Society does fantastic work keeping the largest performing arts festival in the world thriving. It’s high time they have a permanent home, and I know this will support their great ambitions for the festival.
'I know from my summers working at the Edinburgh Fringe that it is all about bringing people together. This hub for the Society, the artists, producers and media is the perfect embodiment of that. I know everyone associated with the Fringe and the wider Edinburgh festivals will benefit hugely from the new hub.’
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: ‘It is wonderful to see the vision for Fringe Central realised in this first look. As a year-round city centre base, this fantastic facility will provide a welcoming space for everyone involved in the Fringe festival while also creating valuable opportunities and space for local cultural organisations. It will serve as a hub for the outstanding outreach work carried out throughout the city all year round.’
We're thankful to all the funders who have supported this project to date, and there is still more to accomplish in the months ahead. As work continues on Fringe Central, we welcome conversations with organisations and individuals who want to help build the home of the world's most important cultural festival. Fringe Central will be a permanent investment in artist support, creative freedom and the future of the performing arts – a space where careers begin, ideas flourish and thousands of artists each year can access the support they need to succeed. Organisations able to support this work are encouraged to reach out to get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].
Fringe Central will open to the media and arts industry from Wednesday 05 August, and to artists from Friday 07 August.
