The Edinburgh Fringe is fast-approaching, with plenty of famous faces such as Miriam Margolyes and Bill Bailey set to appear during the 2025 festival.
Taking place across 265 venues, there are already more than three-thousand shows lined-up for August and searching for shows can quickly become overwhelming.
But if you are looking for an easy place to begin, sometimes it is easier to start with what - or who - you already know. There are top comedians such as Alan Davies and Nish Kumar set to appear, as well as reality TV show winners like Hannah Byczkowski from The Traitors, or Scotland’s own Peter Sawkins from the Great British Bake Off.
David Hayman and Pete Doherty are among British celebrities with shows at this year’s Fringe. There are then American sitcom stars such as Caroline Rhea and Eden Sher putting on their own shows, in addition to multihyphenate performers including Nick Mohammed, Eunice Olumide MBE, and The Ballad of Wallis Island’s Tim Key.
There is a huge variety to the shows on offer during the Fringe and this list teases just a fraction of the entertainment which will be available in August. But if you are hoping to be inspired - or just looking for some general guidance - here are 36 famous faces with shows at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe.
21. Chris Grace
You may recognise Chris Grace from his roles in shows such as Superstore, Atypical and The Residence, but Chris Grace is an Edinburgh Fringe regular. The Chinese-American actor and comedian will return to this year’s festival with the Brighton Fringe award-winning show Sardines as well as his work in progress piece 27 Hours. Sardines will run for just three nights from August 15–17 at Studio Three, Assembly George Square Studios and 27 Hours at Studio Five, Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17) from July 30–August 25. | Getty Images
22. Bill Bailey
Straight from a sell-out run at the West End, Bill Bailey will bring his show Thoughtifier to the 2025 Fringe on August 23 and 24. Performing at the Edinburgh Playhouse (Venue 59), Bailey is certainly a famous face at the Fringe who needs no further introduction. | Getty Images
23. Alan Davies
Returning to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in more than a decade, Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies will perform his hour-long show Think Ahead at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (Venue 140). The self-described “late middle-aged comedian” will be at the festival from July 30–August 10. | Getty Images
24. Michelle McManus
Also part of Gilded Balloon’s series is Scottish singer, broadcaster and presenter Michelle McManus.The winner of Pop Idol series 2, she will be at the Fringe From August 22–23 at Gilded Balloon at the Museum (Venue 64). | Getty Images