The Carbon Lounge, in Edinburgh's Cowgate, brings together Sichuan and northern China's rich and flavourful street food with nostalgic East Asian cocktails. During the Fringe, its three karaoke rooms play host to an array of Free Fringe shows including comedy, cabaret, spoken word and magic. 

Back for the 12th year... May include Irish comics... Please note the new time and location.

The Full Irish

Award-winning magician Tim Licata is back with new impossible magic and mind-reading for 2026! A fantastic hour with one of Scotland’s most entertaining magicians. Tim Licata brings his astonishing new show of magic, mind-reading and delightful deception to the Fringe 2026. Chicago-born Licata does not fail to amaze. Audience reviews: 'Mind blown! This guys' incredible!' 'One of the best magic shows I’ve seen!' 'Tim Licata is absolutely magic'. **** (WorldMagicReview.com). **** (AllEdinburghTheatre.com).

Absolutely Magic 2026!

Comedian and harpist Caitriona Dowden invites you into the world of traditional Irish music in this award-nominated show about family history, folklore and the ways that music can connect us with our heritage. Along the way, expect stories of medieval banquets, 21st-century pub sessions and altercations with Morris dancers. Leicester Comedy Festival Best New Show nominee 2026. Chortle Best Newcomer nominee 2025. Chortle Student Comedy Award Winner 2022. 'Irresistibly idiosyncratic' (TheWeeReview.com), 'Blissfully esoteric... a special talent' (Fest), 'Comedy that goes where no laughs have ever been got before... absolutely hilarious' (Scotsman).


Caitriona Dowden: Sesh Head

Freya is using science to try and make her life more successful. Although she only got a 2:2 from the University of Brighton, so perhaps she shouldn’t back herself on that ability. With over 50K Instagram followers online and hundreds of millions of views, her science jokes are quickly becoming a cult favourite. 'Funny, inventive and naive enough to think a quote from me will shift tickets' (Rhys James).

Freya McGhee: Experimental

A solo show by Tiffany Esteb. Sarah is a lawyer at the top of her game. She defends tech companies against those who sue for damages caused from harassment on their sites, all in the name of freedom speech. When she is harassed herself, she has to face the world she helped to create.

Justice

The shortest story ever told (1hr). His dog is for sale. And that's not all. After his imaginary dog died, Ed Mulvey (Best Newcomer Nominee Edinburgh 2025) has chosen to exploit this for marketing purposes. Expect an exploration of our dismal society, ethical edge cases and intellectual filth from a man who, rather than lying in the gutter, revolves to get a better view. A cry against help from the Elon Musk of emotions. 'First-rate joke writer' (Scotsman). 'Hilarious' (BroadwayBaby.com).

Ed Mulvey: For Sale – Dead Dog, Never Worn

Remember childhood favourite Guess Who? It's that, but based on vibes and played with you, the lovely audience. Failure is certain. A good time not guaranteed but quite likely. It's a very silly party show, I think you'll have fun with it. Now in its third year, James Ross will be Guessing Who even harder, if such a thing were possible. James Ross is the Quantum Leopard guy btw. Six-time Chortle.co.uk Award winner. ***** (One4Review.co.uk). **** (Daily Mirror). 'The irresistible momentum of a drunk on an obstacle course' (Socialist).


James Ross Does Guess Who 3: Guess Hard with a Vengeance

Molly Sharpe is a famous pop star touring her new album, F*cking Famous, and this show is a stop on her world tour. Tonight, Molly must put on the show of a lifetime. By herself. All original party girl pop (that you can listen to on streaming services - the album is really actually out on May 30). Pro-level choreography. Get ready to absolutely live the night.

F*cking Famous

Please follow Efdé&Efdé. Scan the QR code. Follow us. Google us. Call us. Text us. Write us. Ask around about us. Talk about us. Think about us... Or let us convince you to Follow, at our Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut show. 'These two are sitting on a goldmine' (Tim Dijkstra). 'You’ll definitely see these two on TV' (Michael Porter). 'Boys cleared the room' (Gary Lynch).

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Chris Ford, known for his sharp wit and infectious charm, brings his show to the stage with humour and honesty. Blending stories of growing up as a strict Jehovah’s Witness with life as an A&E nurse, he explores identity, belief and resilience. Through sharp storytelling and self-deprecating humour, he reflects on teenage years shaped by faith, shame and desire in a world where questioning was forbidden. From queer awakenings to the absurdities of NHS life, this is raw, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud comedy with a story that deserves to be heard.

Jehovah's Witness for the Prosecution – Work in Progress 

Join Alex Mason (Komedia Best New Comedian Finalist 2024, Chortle Student Comedy Finalist 2022), following two sold-out Edinburgh Fringe runs, for a smart, silly stand-up show analysing her fan-fiction hyper-fixation. Do you love reading smutty books? Dream about having a boyfriend who has a boyfriend? Have you ever daydreamed about being sold to Harry Styles so your mum can get drug money? This is the show for you ya freak. *Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams look-a-likes enter for free.* 'Thoroughly engaging... enjoyably loose' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Interesting' (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk).

Alex Mason: Obsessed

This powerful, monologue performance explores the relationship we have with our boobs – our tits. The show takes the audience on an emotional journey and while not avoiding the tough times, it incorporates laughter and optimism while raising awareness and understanding. Beginning with the fun times, the performance starts sharing frivolous tales of boobs at their prime, reflects on their relationship to confidence, body image and relationships before looking at how health challenges can bring wider life perspectives. 'What an inspirational lady', 'Naomi is a confident public speaker and theatre performer' (audience reviews, Edinburgh Fringe 2025).

PBH's Free Fringe @ Carbon

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