Of the hundreds of shows reviewed by The Scotsman at this year’s Fringe, only a handful are worthy of a five-star review.
There are just over twenty shows which our critics have given such a high rating, despite 2026 marking the largest festival to date with more than 4,000 shows included in the programme.
Whether you’re a fan of comedy, or enjoy spending some time immersed at the theatre, there is a huge range of entertainment to explore at the Edinburgh Fringe - including the many excellent four-star productions running.
If you’re looking to pick the best of the best, however, here is every five-star show at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
1. Absolute Bus Stops of Northern Europe and Beyond — Comedy
One of our earliest five-star Fringe reviews was for Jim Judges’ comedy show about bus stops with our reviewer, Kate Copstick, writing: “This show is pretty much everything a Fringe show should be : it is an hour spun from one warmly mild-mannered man's obsession with the most unlikely of objects, illustrated with photos and lively with songs. We get weird facts, Joe Dolce and, should you doubt the depth of his commitment to bus stops, a calculation of the percentage of the earth's surface taken up by bus stops. Public transport accessories as an art form.” Absolute Bus Stops of Northern Europe and Beyond has been extended and will be on at Paradise in Augustines - Sanctuary until August 22. | Contributed
2. Ballet Nights — Dance, Physical Theatre, & Circus
The brainchild of former Scottish Ballet dancer, Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Ballet Nights earned its five-star review from critic Kelly Apter, who wrote: “Opening with a powerful re-working of The Dying Swan, performed by former Northern Ballet principal Joseph Taylor, the bar is set high, and all who follow him keep it there. Sarah Chun (another Northern Ballet principal) delivers an upbeat solo, then joins Taylor for a beautiful rendition of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. The duo have danced this particular pas de deux before, and inhabit it not just with advanced technique, but the pure excitement and curiosity of first love.” Ballet Nights is at Assembly Rooms (Venue 20) until August 30. | Deborah Jaffe
3. Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It — Theatre
One of this year’s Fringe First award winners, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It is the brainchild of writers-performers Xhloe and Natasha. In her review, our critic Joyce McMillan said: “In Xhloe and Natasha’s new work, these two remarkable writer-performers take just an hour to create a community that seems like a near-perfect metaphor for the current state of America, and for much of western world. Bereft for months of drinkable running water after a traumatic flood, the town is already stressed and on edge when two teenagers start to spin their tale of a gigantic creature in the headlights, frightening them off the road. The central thrust of this brilliantly conceived story soon becomes all too clear, in what must be one of the sharpest, most significant, and most breathtakingly executed physical theatre shows of the year.” Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It is on at Summerhall (Venue 26) until August 30. | Morgan McDowell
4. Bliss — Musicals and Opera
New musical Bliss comes from the Olivier Award-winning producers of Cabaret and Benjamin Button, with its Fringe run earning it five-stars from The Scotsman. In our review, Kelly Apter writes: “With production values so high, most Fringe companies would need a ladder to reach them, Bliss sets out its credentials early. Stretching across the backdrop and up over the ceiling, the colourful lighting design almost deserves its own show. Behind the scenes, invisible until the curtain call, a tight band backs the singers through one showstopper after another. Each song drives the narrative along perfectly, as the four uber-bright princesses strike out alone for the night, leaving their over-protective father behind. There isn’t a single weak link in this cast, with triple-threats galore in all lead roles and ensemble.” Bliss is at Grand at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) until August 31. | Contributed