We are committed to creating a more inspirational Fringe in order to foster a lifelong passion for the arts among Scotland’s young people and champion creative learning in our schools and colleges.
While the Fringe usually takes place every August, the Fringe Society is here year round to support schools, teachers and young people to access this incredible resource.
Make a booking for a Fringe show for your school or class by contacting [email protected] or call our Communities and Groups dedicated phone number: 0131 226 0027.
Stuck wondering what the Fringe is and how to explain it to your class? Check out our video explaining all about the world’s greatest art festival in two minutes!
Look through the show listings or using the advanced search tool. You can narrow down the number of shows by choosing your preferred dates, times, genres, discounts, accessibility, age range and more; searching by programme category will allow you to search specifically for ''Children's Shows''. With that said, word of mouth is still one of the best ways to learn what’s going on, so make sure to ask friends and colleagues.
When booking tickets, you will need to get in touch with our Schools and Group Bookings contact to ensure you are able to reserve tickets for all of your desired shows. Our booking team know a lot about venues, accessibility, whether the show has audience participation and more. They will be able to help you get the most out of your Fringe experience, and make sure there are no issues with your booking or payment. You can contact them at [email protected] or by calling our schools and group bookings line on 0131 226 0027.
If you are booking individual tickets, you can do this through our website, over the phone with a member of our sales team, or in person at our Fringe Box Office located on the High Street.
Oh, and don’t forget about our access booking service, which is available to anyone with an access requirement who wishes to attend the Fringe.
Edinburgh during the Fringe is a busy place and latecomers may not be admitted to shows, so schedule in some extra travel time to get from A to B. If you are running late or need any advice about getting to your show, contact our schools and bookings line on 0131 226 0027.
Seating in a show (when available) is unreserved in almost all cases. If you want to sit together as a group, arrive together in plenty of time before the performance.
Parking can be difficult during the Fringe; we recommend walking, cycling or using public transport wherever possible. If you are travelling by minibus or coach, there is parking available on Regent Road and Johnston Terrace. Minibuses which hold 12 people or fewer can use normal parking bays. You can find detailed parking information on the City of Edinburgh Council website.
If you’re bringing a larger group of young people, you might want to think about places where you can catch a break or stop for a packed lunch. There are plenty of street food vendors selling great options around the city centre.
It might also be worth contacting the venue you are visiting as they may have a space that you can use. The National Museum of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery and Scottish National Portrait Gallery all have lunch rooms, but you need to check with them in advance as they may be need to be reserved. Depending on the weather, there are some central outdoor spaces you could also use, including Princes Street Gardens, the Meadows and Holyrood Park.
High heels or wellies? Suit or tracksuit? Wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in – you don’t need to wear anything fancy or formal at the Fringe. However we all know what the Edinburgh weather’s like, so make sure you’re prepared!
Whether your group are in uniform or not, it is sometimes a good idea to have something identifiable – such as a lanyard or a distinguishable badge or colour – for them to wear if you're going to be in busy areas like the street events.
Every day from 11:00 – 21:00 on the Royal Mile (between Cockburn Street and George IV Bridge) and the Mound (near Princes Street) there are family-friendly performances, suitable for young people, on the streets. You can see circus acts, musicians, living statues, arts and craft stalls and much more.
The street events are free, are on every day and are busiest at weekends, particularly in the afternoon. If you want to visit while it’s quieter, we recommend aiming for weekdays.
The only people who pay the street performers are the public who watch the shows, so don’t be alarmed when they ask for donations near the end of their performance. If you enjoy their show and can afford it, please put a donation in the hat – it helps them keep doing what they’re doing.
What if someone in your group gets lost at the street events? Our friendly Street Team members wear bright red uniforms and are there to help. They can also help with advice and more to make sure you have a good experience.
In addition to the point about badges or lanyards above (see number 4), it is also a good idea to have a meeting spot at certain points during the day, in case any young people get separated. Edinburgh gets busy during the Fringe so it’s always worth having a safety plan!
Street performers (and some Fringe performers in venues) will often ask for volunteers to help in their shows. Don’t panic: they’re talented at choosing people who’ll be confident on stage, and it can be a great way to get an extra-special Fringe experience. Volunteers are often picked from the front three rows. If you have some particularly confident and keen young people, get them towards the front!
Many venues host free shows indoors. Admittance to these shows is usually done on a first-come, first-served basis, or can be ticketed. If you’re planning to visit with a large group, we recommend you get in touch with the venue beforehand to make sure there’s space. You should also consider this point for walking tours and other roaming shows as there may be an upper limit to the number of people in a group. The points above about tipping also apply to free shows in venues, so please give something at the end if you can.
The Fringe Society provides sensory backpacks for children and adults who might find the festival environment overwhelming. They contain a variety of sensory products chosen to help support various sensory needs, including ear defenders.
If you'd like to learn more about arranging sensory backpacks for your class, please contact [email protected].
