The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
"For three weeks in August the Edinburgh Festival Fringe opens the doors, streets and alleyways of an entire city to an explosion of creative energy from around the globe." The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Welcoming artists and audiences from around the world, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, returns to Scotland's capital city from 2nd to 26th August 2019! You'll find all of the festival's accessible performances on this page, plus reviews and information about disabled access at each of the venues on Euan's Guide.
What's on?
Photo of a Fringe performance © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society / David Monteith Hodge.
Take a look at the latest accessible performances during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019! If you have any specific access requirements, it's recommended that you book using the Access Bookings team.
Collecting your tickets
Photo of the Royal Mile © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society / Chris Scott
The following collection points have level access provisions and are managed by Fringe staff:
- The Fringe Shop is wheelchair accessible, with a power-assisted door, hearing loop, and dropped counter.
- The Fringe Box Office has level access via a steep slope, a hearing loop, and a dropped counter.
- Waverley Train Station has level access. There is no dropped counter, but staff assistance is available.
- The Virgin Money Half Price Hut has a hearing loop. There is no dropped counter, but staff assistance is available.
Use the Welcome app if you'd like to request assistance before arriving at the Fringe Shop or Box Office.
Changing Places Toilets
During the festival there will be five Changing Places in central Edinburgh. A Changing Places toilet is an accessible toilet with an adult-sized changing bench and hoist.
The Changing Places toilets can be found at:
- Fringe Changing Place, corner of Windmill Street and Chapel Street, EH8 9LE, 10am – 10pm (03 – 27 August).
- The Booking Office Pub, Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ, 6am - midnight
- National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF, 10am – 5pm.
- The Scottish Parliament, 1 Horse Wynd, EH99 1SP, hours vary – visit changingplaces.org to view opening times.
- Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, EH2 4HQ, 10am – midnight (11 – 27 August).
Fringe Sensory Backpacks
Photo of a Fringe Sensory Backpack © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
The Fringe Society has a supply of free sensory backpacks for children and adults on the autism spectrum to borrow during the Fringe. Inside each of the backpacks you'll find a fidget toy, earplugs or ear defenders, a photo story describing the Virgin Money Street Events, and a list of relaxed performances at the Fringe. Small backpacks also include a soft toy. Backpacks and ear defenders should be returned to one the pick up locations, but you are welcome to keep the other items.
Backpacks can be collected from one of the following locations:
- Fringe Shop, 180 High Street, EH1 1QS (open 09:00 – 21:00)
- Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 – 45 High Street, EH1 1SR (open 09:30 – 21:30)
- Pleasance Dome, 1 Bristo Square, EH8 9AL (open 10:00 – 21:00)
- Dancebase, 14 – 16 Grassmarket, EH1 2JU (open 09:00 – 21:00 Tues – Sun, 09:00 – 17:00 Mon)
- Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre, 204 Rose Street, EH2 4AZ (open 10:00 – 22:45 2-11 August, 11:45 – 22:45 12 - 25 August)
- Fringe Shop, Waverley Mall, 3 Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ (open 09:00 – 19:00 Mon – Sat, 10:00 – 18:00 Sun)
Please bring a form of photographic ID with you. Backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
No Hearing Needed / No Sight Needed
There is a new way of searching for shows in the Fringe programme – No Hearing Needed/No Sight Needed will allow customers to find shows which have no additional adjustments but are suitable for D/deaf or visually impaired audiences.
More information
Visit the access page on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society website for all the latest information.
Festival hang-outs
Photo of Fringe Street Performance © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society / David Monteith Hodge.
During August Edinburgh there are dozens of outdoor hubs where people gather to meet before or after a show. Here's a selection of the places that tend to be buzzing!
The Pleasance is where you will find shows from new and established acts and the natural courtyard space is filled with picnic tables and parasols, which can be really popular if rain makes an appearance.
George Square is transformed into a colourful garden with oversized furniture, bar tents and gourmet street food that's popular with festival-goers.
It's hard to truly escape the buzz of the Fringe, but if you're looking for a little calm, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a good place for a picnic on the lawns.