The 2020 Fringe is not going ahead as planned (read the full statement). In place of our usual Fringe activities, we’re working on several projects intended to provide support for Fringe participants and keep the spirit of the Fringe going until we meet again in 2021.
Our team are here for you, so please do get in touch with us by emailing [email protected].
What is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
The Fringe is an open access arts festival, which means that anyone who has a story to tell and a venue to perform in can put on a show here.
There is no centralised selection process and the festival as a whole is not programmed or curated (though individual venues choose which shows they want to programme). The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not produce or select any shows, does not invite anybody to perform and does not cover costs. We are here to provide you with the support, guidance and resources necessary to tell your story.
There are hundreds of reasons why artists and performers come to the Fringe. Many are looking for exposure, to try out and develop new material in front of a live audience, or to get reviews and media coverage. Many aim to connect with people in the arts industry with the hope to find touring opportunities, to earn money and to network with fellow performers. Coming to the Fringe is often part of performers’ longer-term career plan, but it can just as easily be about working on stagecraft and having fun.
The Fringe is a proven training ground where some of today’s most popular entertainers got their start. It’s also home to one of the most adventurous audiences in the world – an audience that, along with the paying public, includes producers, promoters, journalists and fellow artists.
Before you set about bringing your show to the Fringe, it’s important to ask yourself: why? What would be the value of the Fringe to you? All of the outcomes we mentioned above are possible, though usually not at the same time.
Remember that the Fringe is a competitive environment – there are thousands of shows, all vying for the same audience. We recommend you make a list of clear, achievable goalsyou want to work towards. This will not only help you direct your energy during the festival – it will inform every decision you make, from choosing a venue to planning your marketing campaign. Define what Fringe success would look like to you.
For example, you might want to aim at filling a smaller, less conventional venue than you’re accustomed to, or making initial contacts in the industry rather than immediately attracting tour bookings. Misjudging your goals could prove financially costly and make for a negative experience during August.
Ask yourself what your aims are for coming to the Fringe: what do you want to get out of it? Make a list of priorities.
Engage with the Fringe Society by: signing up to the participants bulletin, reading the online guides, attending an info session, speaking to the Participants team.
Browse last year’s programme and talk to performers and companies that have presented shows at the Fringe in the past.
Put together a preliminary budget. Have a look at the budgeting and finance section for advice and a budgeting tool.
Research venues using the venue search tool and last year's programme. Put together a shortlist and start contacting venues.
Once you’ve decided on a venue, negotiated the slot and signed a contract with them, register your show on our online registration system, [edfringeware]. We offer an early-bird discount rate – check the registration section for deadlines.
Plan a marketing campaign and work out your printed publicity. For ideas and advice see our marketing and promotion section.
More accommodation offers are uploaded throughout the spring so keep an eye on the accommodation portal.
If you’re planning to buy additional advertising space in the Fringe programme, you can get discounted rates for adverts booked by mid-February. All adverts must be booked and paid for by mid-April – see our advertising section for this year’s dates.
Starting in late January, we launch a monthly series of early on-sale dates for shows that want to start selling their tickets ahead of the full programme launch. Consider whether you’d like to be included in one of these.
Send your press release to our Media Office for feedback and start your social media marketing campaign. For more promotion tips see the marketing and promotion section.
Now that you’ve finalised several of your big expenditures, take another look at your budget and make any necessary adjustments.
Come into Fringe Central, make use of the facilities and meet Fringe Society staff.
Spend a little time every day promoting your show. Drop by the Media Office for assistance and advice to help promote your show.
Look through the [Fringe Central Events Programme] and see which events, workshops and seminars might help you make the most of your time at the Fringe. Access to these events is included as part of your registration fee.
Engage with the Arts Industry Office and Artist Development team in Fringe Central to learn how to connect with industry professionals and to discuss opportunities beyond the Fringe.
Submit a music license declaration form about any music used in your show. More information on the music licensing section.
Ensure all your admin, including contact details on edfringeware, is kept up to date.
We will process and pay out your Fringe Box Office receipts at the end of the month. Please note: if you requested your Box Office money to be paid to your venue, we will forward the amount to them. Your venue will then forward you the money under the terms of your agreement with them. Check your venue contract for details about box office payout.
Follow up with any arts industry professionals who came to your show. You can get their email addresses through your venue or the Arts Industry Office at the Fringe Society. This is a great time to keep building relationships and discuss future plans.
Archive your show, file your press releases and work out your actual expenditure.
Think about getting ready to do it all over again!
Everything you need to know is on this website, but if you want to browse offline or at your own pace, the handbooks below can be downloaded in PDF format.
There are many terms specific to the Fringe, such as jargon and colloquialisms, that can be difficult to understand if you’re unfamiliar with the Fringe landscape. The list we’ve provided here is not exhaustive, but it should hopefully get you off to the right start. If you discover a term you are unsure of, or anything else you’d like clarified, please email [email protected].
We're here to help!
Please get in touch with [email protected] if you have any specific questions about the information on this page. A member of our team can set up a 10-minute slot to talk things over with you on the phone or through Skype.
Please note, slots are based on team availability.
Coronavirus support for venues
These resources will be updated regularly to provide support and information to venues, including potential avenues to explore in terms of finances, employment, and advice to performing companies and artists.
