Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 Programme Launch: How to get your hands on a programme and how many shows are there this year?
The countdown is officially on for this August’s feast of culture.
Taking place (almost) every August, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is (by quite some distance) the world’s largest arts festival, with thousands of shows staged over a packed three week period.
The Fringe started life when eight theatre companies turned up uninvited to the first Edinburgh International Festival in 1947, using several smaller venues in the city to stage their productions – as well as attracting audiences across the Forth with a play in Dunfermline Abbey.
The first programme fo the event was printed in 1954, the first central booking service in 1955 and the Festival Fringe Society – who still organise the festival today – were formed in 1959.
It remains an open access performing arts festival, meaning there is no selection committee and that anybody can participate.
While the early years were dominated by theatre and late-night revue shows, comedy has come to the forefront since the late 1980s – partly due to the impact of the Perrier Award, which launched the careers of a string of high-profile performers, including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Sean Hughes, Frank Skinner, Jenny Eclair, Steve Coogan, Dylan Moran, The League of Gentlemen, and Lee Evans.
Now called the Edinburgh Comedy Award, it's still awarded every year, with Sam Nicoresti taking the title in 2025 - becoming the first trans comedian to win for her show Baby Doomer.
This year’s programme is now out, so here’s everything you need to know before you start booking.
When is this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
The 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place from August 7-31, but look out for hundreds of preview shows the week before too.
When was the programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 released?
You might be forgiven for thinking that the programme had already been released, as thousands of show have been announced since late in 2025 - something that has become increasingly common in recent years.
But the official programme launch only happed today, Thursday, June 6.
How many shows are in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 programme?
The programme features 3,649 shows from 71 countries across 258 venues, broken down as follows:
- Cabaret and variety – 166 shows (4.5 per cent)
- Children’s shows – 127 (3.5 per cent)
- Comedy – 1,401 shows (38.4 per cent)
- Dance, physical theatre and circus – 115 shows (3.2 per cent)
- Events – 69 shows (1.9 per cent)
- Exhibitions – 35 shows (1 per cent)
- Music – 388 shows (10.6 per cent)
- Musicals and opera – 168 shows (4.6 per cent)
- Spoken word – 155 shows (4.3 per cent)
- Theatre – 1,025 shows (28.1 per cent)
What has been said about the launch of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme launch?
Launching the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Programme launch is an exciting moment for everyone involved in making the Festival Fringe happen. Thank you to the artists, venues, producers, technicians, promoters, support staff and audiences that bring their unique creative lens and exceptional energy to Edinburgh each August.
“Within the number of productions registering this year, we’ve seen a notable increase in artist registrations from overseas. This tells us that, despite the economic and political headwinds the world is facing, the Fringe continues to be relevant and important to our artists, and taking part marks, for them, a significant moment and investment in their careers.
“This year’s Fringe programme is packed with every kind of performance. So, we’re asking audiences to mix it up and explore the unique, creative performances available at this Fringe. From theatre or circus, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or cabaret, there is something for everyone in Edinburgh this August.”
Will more shows be announced?
While no more shows can now be included in the official programme, every year there are hundreds of latecomers (often including some very big names) - so keep on checking the venue and Fringe websites for the latests additions.
Where can I get a physical copy of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 programme?
You can get a copy at the Fringe Shop on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, as well as a number of distribution points across the city, including branches of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waterstones.
Outwith Edinburgh there are also distribution points in numerous towns and cities, including at Waterstones branches throughout Scotland.
You can check your nearest distribution point here.
If you are unable to pick up a programme you can get one posted to you by entering your details here.
Can I view the programme online?
There is also the option to view the whole programme online here, which all shows are searchable (and available to book) on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website here.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.