What’s on Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 – French flavour to events with music, puppetry, football & dance

Don’t miss the unconventional dance show by choreographer and dancer Sofiane Chalal, a joyful fusion of freestyle football skills and live music choreographed by Fouad Boussouf, or the poetic children’s show blending glove puppetry and softly animated images by the Cie La Neige sur les Cils.

Whether you’re a francophile, a theatre lover, or simply curious, this curated showcase within the Edinburgh Festival Fringe invites you to think, laugh, cry and be swept away by the passion and creativity of contemporary French culture. All the shows are accessible to an English speaking audience (either in English or non-verbal).

Fantastical tales for children

Created for children from 4 years old, bilingual show Don’t Wait for Me… is a tender and poetic quest to rediscover what home truly means. In a world where houses grow legs, wings or sails, and travel at night, one morning a house disappears – leaving its child behind. Through delicate glove puppetry and gently animated images, this unique performance unfolds as a dreamlike journey about loss, hope and belonging. After an award-winning tour around France, Turkey, Serbia, Poland, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and South Korea, the show will have its UK premiere as part of Vive le Fringe! - France Showcase.

Mesmerising music and mime

Previously presented at the Théâtre National de la Danse Chaillot in Paris, BIGGER is the latest solo work by dancer and choreographer Sofiane Chalal, which he now brings to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Sofiane Chalal explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and visibility through a powerful physical presence. Blending hip hop and mime, the solo examines the body as both ally and adversary, and the tension between self-perception and the gaze of others. Sensitive and deeply personal, the work transforms dance into an act of resistance and freedom.

Soccer and strings – where football meets violin

Finally, the festival will welcome °Up: Violin vs Football by choreographer Fouad Boussouf, an unexpected duet bringing together a freestyle football prodigy and a violinist. Blending ball mastery with live music, Up: Violin vs Football transforms the stage into a playful and poetic space. At its core is the story of an encounter: a solo that evolved into a duo through the performers’ natural connection on stage. Gabriel Majou plays his violin with the same sense of play and virtuosity that Paul Molina brings to his ball. After a successful tour in France, including at the Théâtre National de la Danse Chaillot in Paris, and around Morrocco, the show will have its UK premiere as part of Vive Le Fringe! – France Showcase.

Show Listings

Don’t Wait For Me… – France Showcase

· August 7-23

· 11am (40 minutes)

· £10/£8*

Bigger – France Showcase

· August 7-29

· 15.00 (35 minutes show followed by 15min conversation with the artist)

· £10/£8*

°Up: Violin vs Football – France Showcase

· August 18-27

· 18:00 (40min)

· £12/£10*

The programme is supported by the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Institut français as part of its strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries international export.

Essential information

Venue: Institut français d’Écosse, W Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RN

Website: www.ifecosse.org.uk

*Concession price is available to all registered students, over 60s, under 18s, registered unemployed, registered disabled (free for accompanying person) and members of the Institut français d’Écosse. Price listing doesn’t include Fringe booking fees.

For full festival fringe details see the website here