Hi! Welcome to The Good Egg Project Fringe 2026 round-up!
It’s August! And you know what that means in Edinburgh, it’s time for the Fringe (and a whole load of other festivals - but more on those next week).
Yes, the streets are alive with the sounds of people navigating their way around the giant billboards that sprouted over-night, people walking four-abreast on the buzzing streets, festival-season traffic jams, and, soon, street-side pitches for the thousands of events put on across the month.
It’s a thrilling, but chaotic time to live in this city.
Fear not, weary Edinburgh residents, I’ve been spending time cutting through the noise and gathered a list of shows by Scotland-based artists so you don’t have to face scouring the websites and guides.
The reasons I make this guide haven’t changed in the three years I’ve been doing this, but here’s a summary of why I’ve committed to writing this guide again.
I love festival season, but August isn’t the only time to see exciting and innovative talents in our fair city and country. The artists listed below are here year-round and make the Scottish and Edinburgh creative scenes what they are by the time summer rolls around again.
We’ve got big names, future stars, award-winners and early-career practitioners amongst this selection, and I know you’ll find your new favourite performers - because I have too.
Below you’ll find 39* shows and events to see this festival season, including some recommendations from me, and more guides to help you make the most of the Fringe!
*40 and counting. If this is anything like 2025’s round-up, I’ll likely add more shows over the course of the next couple of weeks, so if you are a Scotland-based artist or organisation, please get in touch with this form as it helps me keep up with events more easily than direct messages or emails which may get missed.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their shows with our dedicated Fringe 2026 listings form. I’ve also been combing through social media to find more shows by people who are connected to our community, including artists I’ve seen perform before and creatives that contribute to Scotland’s diverse creative scenes all year.
Kanpur: 1857 by Niall Moorjani
Above at Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance, August 5-16, 3.25 pm
The Fringe First-winning, sell-out smash-hit Kanpur: 1857 returns to the Edinburgh Fringe. Strapped to a cannon, an Indian rebel finds themselves answering to a British officer for the crimes of Kanpur. Based on historical events, this new play comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence and making art in times of crisis.
Written by and starring Niall Moorjani, and co-directed by and starring Jonathan Oldfield, director of 2024’s Best Newcomer Award-winning show. But who is the hero and who is the villain? Whatever happens, it’s going to be explosive.
Book tickets on the Pleasance website
Face vs. Face by Big Weasel Little Weasel
Just the Attic at The Mash House, Guthrie Street, August 6-13, 12 pm
Face vs Face: podcast meets cartoons meets Q&A. Hear from noted performers about their takes on life, with animations from other famous actors and comics in the form of cartoon sketches. With voices from Miles Jupp (WILTY) Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels), Miles Luna (RWBY, Red Vs. Blue), and some of the funniest UK people around.
Book tickets on the Just the Tonic website
Chaotic Good by Struan Logan
The City Cafe, Blair Street, August 7-31 (excluding August 18), 1 am
After a hiatus Struan returns to stand-up seeing that it needs a swift kick up the bum. The comedian and columnist (The National) performs with the personal over the partizan – but Chaotic Good isn’t just for handsome looking, wise cracking rogues, but folks who crave to do the right thing with a delightfully silly streak but ideally some nihilism along the way. Well worth staying up past your bedtime for this.
Book tickets on the Laughing Horse website
Making Love with David Madigoff by Chambers Touring
Assembly George Square Studios - Studio Two, George Square, August 7-23 (except August 15 & 22), 8.05 pm
Each night, David Magidoff interviews a celebrity about a real love story. His team then turns this story into songs, sketches, and poetry. After a three-year sold-out run in LA and a sold-out Netflix Is A Joke Fest appearance, Making Love makes its Edinburgh debut, featuring a brand new poem by Josh Cake every night. Confirmed guests include Mark Watson, Fran Healy of Travis, Rosie Jones, Mike Wozniak, Phil Wang, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Ayoade Bamgboye, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Reuben Kaye and more.
Book tickets on the Assembly website
The Daily Strum
Slow Progress Cafe & Records, Blackfriars Street, August 8-30, 11 am
Music & Comedy showcase; fresh line-up every day! Join host Dan Collins & enjoy a variety of Songwriters, Comedians, Clowns, & Musical Misfits. Featuring local acts & international talent, The Daily Strum is an easy way to start your day at the Fringe. Laugh along with the best bards & the silliest singers in the Old Town's friendliest venue.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Spoken Word Showcase by Candlelight Open Mic
Whistlebinkies, South Bridge, August 8 & 9, 11.15 am
A preview the best poetry and spoken word shows at the 2026 PBH Free Fringe. Fast talking, hard-hitting, side-splitting poetry - a bit of everything for long time lovers of words and newcomers alike - a helping hand for those looking to fill up their Fringe schedules with spoken word!
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Conversations With My Ghosts by Sarah Heitler
Whistlebinkies, South Bridge, August 8-30 (excluding Fridays), 12.30 pm
Ever wish you could talk to your multiversal selves? Each old you lives in the liminal space of your mind, just behind your eyes, in the corners of your heart. Join me in the underworld to help me settle my ghosts, and hopefully we can and put your soul at ease too. It is actually quite easy to get *to* the underworld, getting out is maybe harder. Join your guide Sarah Heitler for a poignant and occasionally humourous tour of all the things that we can so easily lose along the way in our wake.
This is a PBH Free Fringe event, but 20% of any money from purely optional tips will be donated to the Good Law Project’s campaign to fight the rollback of trans rights in the UK.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Dune! The Musical by Dan Collins
Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street, August 8-30, 1.25 pm
A one-man show of remarkable intensity. Big worms & even BIGGER choruses. Back for his 4th Fringe, Dan Collins is troubadour-warrior Gurney Halleck, blending story & song. Comedy & Tragedy collide in this fast paced, cult adaptation. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Forget everything you know about Arrakis & get ready for Dune! The Musical…
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Let People Like You by Edalia Day
CC Blooms, Calton Square, August 8-30, 1.45 pm
Let Edalia lift your spirits and tickle your soul in this theatrical hug of a spoken word show, with saucy ostriches, dancing squirrels and meditations on those beautiful moments the universe brings us together.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
A Tenement Tale by Ross McFarlane
Banshee Labyrinth (Banqueting Hall), Niddry Street, August 8-18, 2 pm
Glasgow’s (unofficial) Tour Guide returns with the story of life inside the sandstone. Escape Edinburgh for an hour of performance poetry and stories recounting a year of ups, downs, joys and grief all from inside one high ceilinged room with a bay window view.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Reservations by Dean Tsang
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 8-30, 4.30 pm
In the restaurant of the mind, every thought is catered to. But what happens when the worst customer chooses to dine? A voice recording and a live performance fuse together to bring explosive flavours of hilarity, rhythm and heartfelt explorations of the self. Served with 0% AI and 100% raw beef. There is no food here, would you still choose to dine?
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Bad Latina by Tere Bertucci
Greek Gyros Grill, South Bridge, August 8-14, 5 pm
Join Tere—a confused, angry, Neurospicy, Queer Chilena-as she explores what it means to be “good” in a world that loves its Latinas spicy, sexy, and silent. Spoiler: she’s none of those things. A heartwarming and chaotic spoken word show about failing the stereotype—and loving it. Coming back from a successful 2025 PBH Free Fringe run!
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Someone Will Remember Us by Beth Rose
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 8-30, 5.45 pm
Have you ever fallen in love with someone who feels like the sun? Summer is for lovers: long sultry evenings, sweat streaked skin, crisp fruit tang on the tongue. Sometimes loving the sun burns you, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Join award-winning poet Beth Rose for her 10th Free Fringe show, a delicious, sunsoaked, sapphic love story.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
The Patron Saint Of The Scratch Night by Lloyd Robinson
Greek Gyros Grill, South Bridge, August 8-14, 7.30 pm
Seth Sideways never made it to the big time. Despite every rejection, he found joy in becoming a veteran of the open mics, until his untimely death at the end of his final set. Some called him a failure, but he died happy, his life becoming a love-letter to creativity as an intrinsic part of what it means to be human.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
The Graverobber’s Feast by Spencer Mason
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 8-23, 8.15 pm
A collection of poems from Khartic, a Graverobber who digs unhistorical and mythological characters and inters them in the wrong coffin. The Maquis de Lafayette attends a performance of Hamilton, Antigone becomes a medic on the Ukrainian war-front, and Sappho finds herself storming the Bastille...
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
The Lock-In Poetry Slam by Ross McFarlane
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 10-11 (9.30 pm) & 24 (8.15 pm)
The Lock-In Poetry Slam celebrates the weirdest and most wonderful slam formats - from Bingo to Triathlons, War Games to 10 Hour Slams. Back at the Fringe for 3 x Extra Special Shows on the 10th (21:30), 11th (21:30) and 24th (20:15) of August. Not to be missed!
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Page of Cups: Improvising the Tarot by Agnes Carter
Slow Progress Cafe & Records, Blackfriars Street, Tuesday, August 11, 18 & 25, 5.15 pm
Do you find the universe’s messages too subtle? Wanna see them played out on the Fringe stage by some of Edinburgh’s finest homegrown improvisers and tarot enthusiasts? Join us as we channel the intuition and curiosity of the Page of Cups to spin dreamy and hilarious tales, based on a tarot reading done on the day!
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Incubus Succubus Vengabus by Ross McCleary and Stefan Mohamed
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, Wednesday, August 12, 8.15 pm
After the runaway success of their 2024 Fringe show, Ross McCleary and Stefan Mohamed are faced with their greatest challenge yet - devising a follow-up. Unfortunately, the only punchline they can think of involves the Vengabus, and they already did that. Can they escape the inexorable gravitational pull of the inter-city disco?
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Queer Folks’ Tales by Turan Ali
Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Wednesday, August 12, 19 & 26, 8.30 pm
The 5-star, award-winning hit LGBTQ+ storytelling show returns for its fourth Fringe; camper, fruitier and queerer than ever! Host Turan Ali takes time out from his BBC shows to scour the Fringe for the best queer talent, creating a diverse line-up of artists to share hilarious, surprising, sobering tales, songs and epic poems. Expect jaw-dropping insights into LGBTQ+ lives past, present and future.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
Loud Poets by I Am Loud Productions
Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Thursday, August 13, 20 & 27, 8.30 pm
Loud Poets have been bringing the very best live poetry to the Fringe for over a decade. Their fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling, heart-wrenching fusion of spoken word and live music thrills poetry lovers and turns sceptics into fans. Catch the Loud Poets themselves – Katie Ailes, Mark Gallie and Kevin Mclean – with musical accompaniment from Jack Hinks and a different guest every show.
BSL interpreted Thursday, August 27 with interpretation by Sarah Forrester.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
The Commune Manifesto by Ross McFarlane
Strathmore Bar, Iona Street, August 14-16, 7.50 pm
The Commune Manifesto has taken shape over 10 years of late-night conversations in Glasgow tenements. In The Commune we champion platonic love and commitment. We tell stories, find good in those around us, holdfast our beliefs and each other, and we face down the practicalities of a world not made for us.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
(Un)settled Status by Thirty Fine
CC Blooms, Calton Square, August 15-20, 4.15 pm
A migrant’s millennial meltdown on a train journey to Settled Status featuring burn out bureaucracy and constant caucasity. Unsettling and whimsically weird. For legal reasons this is imaginary.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
The Last Seven Years by Alanna Stewart and Reid Wrights
Greek Gyros Grill, South Bridge, August 15-21, 6.15 pm
In the trenches of friendship, marriage and social sexpectations! Don’t miss this real life story of how a happily married lady and a hopeless romantic lesbian got here today.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Slayers by Corinne Salisbury
Assembly George Square Studio Five, George Square, August 18-30, 12.15 pm
Slayers is a new play by Edinburgh-based playwright Corinne Salisbury. Liane is a single mother, a survivor of abuse, now trying desperately to shield her ten-year-old daughter from the world’s dangers. As her daughter suffers bullying, Liane has a real-world encounter with the Manosphere that stokes her rage. Mother and daughter take up boxing. They develop a taste for violence. They plot their revenge… How can we arm our daughters against the world? And what happens when our anger makes us go too far?
Book tickets on the Assembly website
Mohan: A Partition Story by Niall Moorjani
Above at Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance, August 18-31, 3.25 pm
Fringe First Award-winning and critically acclaimed storyteller, Niall Moorjani, presents a heartfelt piece which explores their grandfather’s experiences of the Partitioning of India in 1947. It follows the eleven-year-old Mohan as he flees from his home in Sindh, across a border which didn’t yet exist and into uncertain times in Delhi and later the United Kingdom. Lyrical storytelling and live music from Sodhi combine to create a provocative and stunning account of a much omitted story from British-Indian history.
Book tickets on the Pleasance website
Aderyn/Bird by Ailsa Dixon and Ffion Phillips
Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, August 18-22, 4.30 pm
Atop a far-off mountain, birds gather to perch on the fate-shaping hands of an old mountain man – stories stirring in the murmuration, waiting to glide into the human world. In this Harebell Tellers production, traditional storytellers Ailsa Dixon and Ffion Phillips follow the flight paths of bird mythology across ancient Britain; oceans, forests, in and out of this world and that. Weaving together Welsh and Scots language, music and story into a meditative hour of storytelling magic, breathing new life into ancient myths and re-enchanting old folktales.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
The Masquerade by Jj Fadaka
Fruitmarket Cafe, Market Street, August 18, 20 & 21, 7.45 pm
A mischievous masquerade lives in Jj’s stomach, uncovering dreams and destinies too affirming to be contained. ladé pulses live from the heart, sending out Afrobeat, revolutionary poetry and future beats. Everything uncovered demands to be seen. Beaded coral curtains form the body’s guts, while a large eye give a glimpse of the outside world. Club ritual merges with mythic storytelling to explore how indigenous spirituality can be practised in the modern day. You could find a home in this archive of dance, costume, and self-acceptance, all technologies to connect with hidden histories in our lineages.
Book tickets on the Edinburgh Fringe website
Afternoon T by TJ
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 19-30, 12.50 pm
The euphoria of a trans man’s first year on testosterone. Changing your body is bizarre and beautiful in equal measure. Join TJ for a cosy collection of poetry which celebrates all the beauty, the weirdness, the growth (of hair, mostly), and the comfort of his first year on T.
Afternoon T also has a wheelchair accessible performance at Central Youth Hostel on Friday, August 21, at 5.10 pm.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
My Lore is Wild by India de Bono
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 19-30, 2 pm
A PBH Free Fringe clickbait poetry show that takes all of self proclaimed bisexual disaster India’s craziest stories about life, love, and health mishaps and winds them together with heartfelt sincere poetry. Play ‘India de Bingo’ and win their heart!
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Not Another Latinx Musical by Tere Bertucci and Pablo Concha
Fingers Piano Bar, Frederick Street, August 19-30, 3.10 pm
From the creators of... well, many things, we bring you Not Another Latinx Musical, a queer Latinx cabaret exploring how we seek out identities and stereotypes to survive. Trials, tribulations, joys, depressions, comings-out, and the wonderful horrors of migrating while Latine. With Pablo Concha and Tere Bertucci as them, themselves, and they.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Selkie: Past, Present, Future by Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon
Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, August 19-30, 6.40 pm
Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon present an evocative and moving exploration of what it is to be human, as they lyrically synthesise storytelling with live music and Orcadian folk song. Come for the music, stories and songs, stay for the deep exploration of trans experience in Scotland today, through three queered and reimagined selkie stories set in past, present and future.
BSL interpreted Friday, August 21 with interpretation by Sarah Forrester.
Captioned Saturday, August 22 with open captioning by Claire Hill.
Book tickets on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website
Screech Night
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, August 19-30, 7 pm
The Spoken Word Show Chaos that is Screech Night returns to the Banshee Labyrinth Banqueting Hall! Tom, Invi and Hev invite you to join them for a feast of poetry, storytelling and other spoken word delights served up by performers - from around the Fringe and beyond.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Love in All Its Colours by Ross Wilcock
Whistlebinkies, South Bridge, August 22-30, 1.45 pm
A spoken word show chronicling love, life and self worth through the eyes of a disabled person who is also queer.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Love Did a Number on Me by Eve Mumford
Greek Gyros Grill, South Bridge, August 22-30, 5 pm
Love Did a Number on Me is a funny, sharp and relatable solo show combining original poetry, songs and a cast of characters that plots Eve’s meteoric rise from rock bottom to rock middle.
A chronic people pleaser with terrible taste in men, Eve has spent a lifetime chasing the sort of love that’s hard to get, hard to keep and hardly worth the bother. Now if she wants to find the real thing, she’ll need to change more than just her luck. Join Eve as she explores what happens when you live the wrong life for 30 years, and what it takes to rewrite the plot. Funny and unexpectedly moving.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe
Bring Out The Gimp by Matthew Hayhow
The Nook at The Parliament Arms, Canongate, August 28 & 29, 9 pm
Disabled people are often seen as brave, inspirational role models. Matthew Hayhow is on a one-man mission to put a stop to that. Matthew may use a power chair, but what he lacks in basic motor function he more than makes up for in his comedic skills. Bring Out The Gimp is the debut hour from a comedian who delights in finding humour in any topic, no matter how uncomfortable, and delivering it in his trademark deadpan demeanour.
Book tickets for August 28 and August 29 on Fixr
Ben Macpherson Does Poems at Adults
Whistlebinkies, South Bridge, August 8-30, 2.45 pm
Ben Macpherson has poems, Adults have ears. Pick from 30 vibes, be that silly, sordid, sad or sweet and set the set list, for the spoken word show you control. Mixing chat, style and genre, Ben's a verbal tour de force, bound to leave you laughing, crying and more.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Poetry at the Sly Fox
The Sly Fox, Henderson Street, Wednesday, August 12, 5 pm
Join poets Rob Mackenzie, Karen McCarthy Woolf, James Appleby, and Gabrielle Tse for an evening of poetry in Leith.
Find out more on Instagram
Loud Poets Grand Slam Final
Venue T, Edinburgh Futures Institute, Lauriston Place, Saturday, August 15, 3.30 pm
Back again for another year of electrifying slam poetry, this heated competition from Loud Poets gives new meaning to the phrase ‘poetry in motion’. Having qualified through a series of nationwide Slams, 10 poets compete for a cash prize, glory, and the coveted title of Slam Champion. Host Kevin Mclean brings you along for the final showdown in an event that promises to deliver a poetic knockout. Aditya Narayan joins as the Sacrificial Poet.
Book ticket on the Edinburgh International Book Festival website
Forspoken Poetry and Open Mic
Banshee Labyrinth, Niddry Street, Wednesday, August 19, 8.15 pm
Poets Gabriela Milkova Robins and Mike Yuill bring their St Andrews poetry show Forspoken to the Free Fringe! Come along to The Banshee Labyrinth for sets by both hosts, plus yet-to-be-announced featured guests, finishing off with a mini open mic at the end.
Find out more on the PBH Free Fringe website
Queer Flora, Fauna, and Funga Book Launch
Lighthouse Books, West Nicholson Street, Thursday, August 20, 12 pm
This is a book launch for Queer Flora Fauna and Funga, a transdisciplinary anthology of writing and art, as part of The Book Fringe—the free, alternative August literary festival run by Lighthouse Bookshop, Argonaut Books, and Greenhouse Records.
Find out more on the Lighthouse Books website
EdFringe hosts more live performance led by women and people of marginalised genders than anywhere else in the world, FemiFringe has gathered them into a single place for you to find your favourite new artists.
Fringe of Colour database by Fringe of Colour
The Fringe of Colour Database exists to highlight and support shows and events taking place at the Edinburgh festivals in August that centre People of Colour. They determine this using the following criterion: 50% or more of the performers or speakers on stage or exhibiting work are People of Colour (Black, Asian, Arab, Indigenous and Latine, or from the Global Majority).
Browse the Fringe of Colour database
Neurodiverse Review 2026 Fringe Guide by Neurodiverse Review
The Neurodiverse Review is back for a fifth year, covering as many disabled and neurodiverse-led shows as possible, whether it be through our reviews, features, awards or other shenanigans.
Browse the Neurodiverse Review 2026 Fringe Guide
The PBH Free Fringe offers a range of shows across multiple genres including Spoken Word, Comedy, Theatre, Cabaret, and so much more! It offers no hire charge for artists and free entrance for everyone, making it one of the most accessible ways to enjoy the Fringe for performers and audiences alike.
Browse the PBH Free Fringe website
The Scottish Storytelling Centre 2026 Programme
This year, the Scottish Storytelling Centre celebrates its 20-year anniversary! The SSC is a welcoming space for locals, families and visitors to meet and enjoy the wonder of stories. Through mythology, folklore, story and song the Fringe 2026 programme explores the connections and common ground we share across time, language and culture.
Browse the Scottish Storytelling Centre Fringe 2026 programme
Summerhall Arts 2026 Fringe Programme
Summerhall Arts continues its decade-long legacy of truly diverse, boundary-pushing performative and visual arts presented in Summerhall, this year features a collection of astounding work by creatives from across the globe.
Browse the Summerhall Arts 2026 Fringe Programme
I do love writing this annual Fringe guide. Not only does it give me a whole host of shows to see, I also love connecting our community with artists who inspire and shape the scene we write and share our work in.
If you’re a Scotland-based artist and have a show at this year’s Fringe, please use this Google Form to get in touch and I will add your listing to this guide.
I’ve got a couple more guides to share over the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for our third annual guide to writing and book festivals, and a look at where you can get your writing fix this month.
Until our next round-up, take care of each other,
Naomi
P.s. Did you enjoy the Good Egg 2026 Fringe Guide? Share it with someone you know and make their August a little easier.
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P.p.s. If you are in a position to become a paying subscriber, please consider supporting this work gathering all the round-ups you need to fill your creative calendar for the rest of 2026 and into 2027!
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