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Edinburgh Fringe Guide 2025

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A Local’s Guide to Visiting Edinburgh for the 2025 Fringe Festival

Welcome to Edinburgh in August — it’s creative, chaotic, and probably pretty overwhelming if you’re new here.

Edinburgh in August is almost a different city altogether. With Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival (the Fringe), Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Edinburgh Book Festival all running through the month. The city is crammed with culture, and packed with people visiting for the world leading programmes of entertainment.

Bigger than any other event in the city’s summer calendar is The Fringe — over 3,300 shows across 250+ venues from 1–25 August 2025.

From morning to midnight, the Fringe takes over every corner of the city. Church basements, attic bars, historic theatres — all become fair game for comedians, dancers, poets, acrobats, and shows that defy description.

If it’s your first visit to Edinburgh during Fringe month — strap in! Start by checking out my full Edinburgh Travel Guide, to get your bearings and plan your stay.

Edinburgh City Guide

Read on below for your local guide to navigating the shows, hotspots, food, drinks, and some bits in-between.

  1. Fringe Survival Tips
  2. Exploring the Fringe
  3. Eating in Edinburgh
  4. Drinking in Edinburgh
  5. Beyond the Fringe: Sights to Squeeze In

Fringe Survival Tips

  • Book big shows early — famous names can sell out FAST.
  • Use the Fringe App — filter by genre, location, or how much time you’ve got before your next meal.
  • Don’t sleep on the Half-Price Hut — grab same-day bargains for last-minute plans at Fringe HQ on the Royal Mile.
  • Explore the Free Fringe — great for spontaneous fun (and friendly on your budget).
  • Don’t be late – shows typically start bang on the time stated on the ticket – (it’s not a doors-open time). Allow time for crowds and queues on your way to the venue.
  • Pack layers: It will rain. Then it won’t. Then it will again.
  • Bring a power bank: Nothing worse than your phone dying pre-ticket scan.
  • Carry cash: Although it’s unlikely you’ll need it, some smaller pop-ups don’t take cards.
  • Say yes: To spontaneous shows, recommendations from strangers, and audience participation (where applicable) with enthusiasm.
  • Don’t overplan. Allow yourself time to stumble on street performers, grab a bite or a drink, or slot in some sightseeing.

Exploring the Fringe

Hotspots to Visit

While Fringe venues are spread city-wide, some areas become buzzing little ecosystems of shows, street food, and people-watching. Don’t miss:

The Pleasance

A student haunt turned Fringe kingdom — with a warren of indoor stages and outdoor bars where you’ll see seasoned stand up comedians, emerging names, and late night laughs.

Assembly George Square

The bustling hub of Assembly venues, with fairy-lit trees, open-air bars, and more street food than you can eat in a week.

  • Eat: Thai curry or noodles from the Ting Thai shed
  • Drink: A spicy margarita from the El Jimador tequila truck
  • See: Joyful clown from Trygve Wakenshaw and Barnie Duncan: Different Party

Udderbelly George Square

Occupying the other half of George Square and packed with yet more venues, eating and drinking spots. If you see a venue shaped like a giant purple cow, you’re in the right place.

  • Eat: Fried Chicken from the Chix pop up
  • Drink: A spritz in the sunshine from the outdoor bars
  • See: Penguin classics like you’ve never seen before with Gary Starr (For over 18s only, and definitely not one to see with your parents)

Cowgate

Underground clubs and late-night laughs — if you’re here after 10pm, expect comedy, cabaret, and some very sticky floors.

  • Eat: Flavour-packed japanese omlettes and hot-off-the-griddle takoyaki at Smoked Tamago
  • Drink: A dram at the nearby Bow Bar (Victoria Street)
  • See: A show made right in front of you from Trygve Wakenshaw and Barnie Duncan: Hot Chips

Summerhall

A hub for experimental theatre, visual art, and the cool kid crowd. Also home to a brewery and gin distillery.

  • Eat: Hand ripped noodles at nearby Pomelo (if you’re lucky enough to get a table)
  • Drink: Ice-cold Frozé from the slushie machine in the courtyard bar
  • See: Travel back to prohibition era at the Speakeasy Experience

Bristo Square

Smack in the middle of the university campus — find pop-up bars, outdoor seating, and plenty of shows spilling out into the square.

Getting Around

Edinburgh is compact, but with cobbles and steep hills, your step count will skyrocket. Venues are scattered all over the city — some within minutes of each other, others can be up to a brisk half-hour walk. Edinburgh is well served by local busses, and taxis are dependable in a pinch, but exploring the city on foot is the best way to get around between venues and to soak up the festival buzz.

Pack light, wear comfy shoes, bring a raincoat and sunglasses (sometimes needed on the same day), and prepare to weave through the crowds as you explore.

Places to Stay

  • Old Town: Right in the thick of it. Expect noise, crowds, and show flyers everywhere you turn.
  • New Town: Bougie bakeries, boutique shops, and postcard-perfect streets.
  • Leith: A foodie and bar-hopper’s dream — connected by an easy tram ride from the city centre, while also removed from the chaos.

Budget accommodation tips:

University halls rent rooms during August — they’re clean, central, and can be much cheaper than hotels.

Broaden your search: Glasgow, Stirling, or Perth are under an hour away by train, and offer cheaper stays. Glasgow even has a 24-hour bus to Edinburgh.

The Witchery

Gleneagles Townhouse

Eating in Edinburgh

Casual food spots, for dining in the thick of it

Restaurants worth going out of your way for

Mirin

Smoked Tamago

Drinking in Edinburgh

Central spots to refuel between shows

Coffee shops

Beers bars

  • Salt Horse (Blackfriars Street) visit: salthorse.beer
  • Stewart Brewing Bar (The Pleasance Courtyard)

Traditional pubs and whisky bars

Wine bars

Cocktail bars

Summerhall

Lucky Liquor

Beyond the Fringe: Sights to Squeeze In

Need a pause from festival overload, or visiting the city for the first time – don’t miss out on:

  • Arthur’s Seat for a rewarding hike without leaving the city, and unbeatable panoramic views.
  • Edinburgh Castle to step in to the city’s history. Visit: edinburghcastle.scot
  • The National Museum of Scotland for free exhibitions, family activities and rooftop views. Visit: nms.ac.uk

Read the full Edinburgh Experience Guide for more to see and do while you’re in the city: