Edinburgh Fringe Festival: How to plan your trip to the world's largest arts and comedy festival

Cosmopolitan

4 days ago

Every August, Edinburgh is taken over by the Fringe. More than a festival, it's a month-long mood for artists and revellers alike. Think Glastonbury, but swap muddy fields for cobbled streets and the Pyramid stage for a dark theatre where the next big name in comedy is cutting their teeth. The world's largest arts festival transforms this historic city into a playground of punchlines, where street performers, pop-up shows and an unhinged sense of adventure are all part of the experience. Ready to dive headfirst into the madness? Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Let's be real, you won't be spending that much time in your hotel, but location is everything. Enter Radisson Blu Edinburgh, just five minutes from the train station and situated smack bang in the centre of the action on the Royal Mile, AKA the beating heart of the Fringe. Not only is it walking distance to dozens of venues, the four-star hotel even hosted several performances this year, too.
Should you find yourself wanting a little R&R in between shows, there's a gym and spa you can take advantage of. Otherwise, the buffet breakfast and complimentary take-away coffee station are enough to please the 'get-out-and-go' crowd, with the plush beds and blackout curtains beckoning at the end of a long day.
Clean, comfortable and quiet, it's the perfect base for your Fringe festivities.
See the shows, duh. It's worth saying from the off, you're not going to be able to see everything you want to. With thousands of shows spread across the city in venues ranging from basements to big tops, it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start. We'd advise planning ahead as much as you can, with the Fringe Guide helpfully listing show venues, run times and reviews. Don't forget to take into account getting from one venue to another. It's a big city with a lot of people, so allow additional time for your walking route to caveat the slow moving traffic of large tour groups and getting sidetracked by a street-performing gymnast flinging herself through a giant metal hoop positioned 10 feet in the air. Yep.
If it's theatre you're after, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare is an annual mainstay on the programme, taking on different of the Bard's plays every year. However, providing a chaotic, comedic twist, one member of the cast gets drunk ahead of each performance. It promises hilarious results with a good dose of culture.
There's improv musical comedy in the form of Shamilton! Taking a historical figure or celebrity nominated by the audience – anyone and everyone from Donald Trump to Scooby Doo – the cast then improvise a show complete with original hip hop songs made up on the spot to tell that person's story in the style of Hamilton. It's impressive and wildly funny.
As well as big-name comedians (think Nish Kumar and Bridget Christie) showing work-in-progress shows or limited runs, the Fringe is a great opportunity to check out rising stars in the stand-up comedy game, thanks to shows like 'Best of So You Think You're Funny' featuring emerging talents including Fab Goualin and Ciara O'Connor. We also need to shout out Kate Dolan's one-woman show 'The Critic'. Not only is she hilariously funny, but Cosmo features in her set, well and truly winning us over.
When the sun goes down, late-night entertainment takes centre stage with drag queen cabarets, burlesque and circus shows, along with (more) boundary-pushing, chaotic comedy takeovers running into the early hours. One must-see? Batsu! This wild, laugh-out-loud show inspired by Japanese game shows sees comedians compete in ridiculous challenges to avoid bizarre punishments. Think Squid Games, but with fewer fatalities – thankfully.
The Fringe isn't just for late-night laughs and edgy stand-up; it's also packed with family-friendly fun. Magicians, puppeteers and storytellers take over the city by day, offering entertainment for all ages from bubble-filled spectacles to interactive theatre, especially for little ones. Whether you're wrangling toddlers or tagging along with teens, the festival's got something to delight every generation.
One of the true joys of the Fringe is the fact you don't need a ticket to be entertained. Edinburgh's streets come alive with street performers offering free shows on every corner. Acrobats, musicians and amateur magicians turn the Royal Mile into an open-air stage, whether you pause for five minutes or stay for the full act. Just a word of warning – audience participation is always expected.
Alternatively, simply head to one of the Fringe hubs scattered across the city – like Assembly George Square or Bristo Square – where food trucks, pop-up bars and picnic benches offer the perfect break between shows. No plan? No problem. These buzzing social spots are where the Fringe comes to you. Performers hand out flyers and pitch their shows in an attempt to entice in new audiences, and you might even get lucky with free tickets to a show happening nearby. It's a laidback way to discover hidden gems, chat to the creatives behind the chaos, and soak up the festival atmosphere without rushing from venue to venue.
Aside from the shows, there is plenty to experience in the City itself during August. IKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition is on for the duration of the 2025 Fringe, celebrating 60 years of playful Swedish textile design. Take the time to explore Edinburgh's winding streets with an array of independent shops of vintage finds and artisan gifts, or head to the chic Multrees Walk for a more luxe shopping experience and find tucked-away boutiques like Strathberry's flagship store. The leather accessories brand is one of Scotland's best exports (in the opinion of this fashion lover) and it will be hard to resist not leaving with a souvenir.
Fuelling up is half the fun at the Fringe, and Edinburgh doesn't disappoint. Across the main hubs, you'll find food trucks galore catering to every cuisine, from bao buns to wood-fired pizza – perfect for grabbing something quick between shows. If the weather's not great (this is Scotland, after all), head indoors and support the city's brilliant independent food scene by visiting one of the number of local restaurants lining Edinburgh's many streets.
Ting Thai Caravan is a cult favourite for fast, flavour-packed Thai, while The Outsider offers dreamy views and modern Scottish plates. For Mediterranean magic, book a table at Baba, or indulge in handmade pasta at the ever-buzzy Notto.
After dark, start with a cocktail at Under The Stairs or Little Capo, or go glam with a negroni at The Spence. Prefer something classic? A pint of Tennent's in a no-frills pub is practically a rite of passage - it's an authentic Scottish drinking experience. Many bars double as surprise comedy spots, so don't be shocked if someone hops on a mic mid-pint.
Embrace the chaos, make friends in queue lines, and let the city guide your night. At the Fringe, every snack stop and drinks run could lead you to your new favourite show, or your new best friend. From rubbing shoulders with the locals to chatting to fellow tourists, everyone is friendly and sharing your Fringe with total strangers really fits with the spirit of the festival.
The easiest – and most environmentally friendly – way to get to Edinburgh from a UK major city (we're talking London, Birmingham, Manchester) is via the train. With no need to worry about traffic or staying awake behind the wheel, you can sit back and relax with endless snacks and Real Housewives episodes to keep you entertained on your journey. If you're not distracted by the breathtaking countryside views that whizz past your window, that is.
Tickets for London and Edinburgh start at £42 and can be found on avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there's nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she's passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!