More than 50,000 performances of 3,269 different shows from 48 countries at almost 300 venues .
The scale of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is mind boggling.
From stand up to mime, children’s shows to drag, Shakespeare to contemporary theatre, there’s an astonishingly wide array of shows on offer.
The Fringe has grown from its roots as a working man’s alternative to the more upmarket Edinburgh International Festival and now far outstrips in size, imagination and scope its older and more illustrious neighbour.
The biggest shows are now spread across four established venues: the Assembly Rooms, Pleasance, Gilded Baloon and the Underbelly.
These operate multi room complexes and snap up many of the biggest acts. They’re not cheap, however, and it’s easy to burn through a lot of money if you’re seeing a few shows back to back.
Those who are a bit strapped for cash or just want a good value day out shouldn’t despair though. Plenty of shows cost absolutely nothing. Many of these are listed at www.freefestival.co.uk. They cover comedy, music, cabaret, children’s shows, spoken word and a walking tour, and audiences can make a contribution if they enjoyed the show.
On the street is where to catch more free entertainment. From jugglers to dancers to fire eaters, tightrope walkers and musicians, the streets of Edinburgh are packed with performers.
Try the Royal Mile and the squares around the National Gallery for the best variety of street performances.
The Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival aren’t the only games in town.
The Edinburgh International BookFestival runs from August 13-29 at Charlotte Square Gardens and features more than 800 novelists, poets ,politicians, actors and scientists. Jonathan Safran Foer, Judith Kerr, Alan Cumming, Gordon Brown and Man Booker winner Han Kang are among the big names.
Everyone should see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at least once. Taking place against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle the Massed Pipes and Drums are joined by the New Zealand Army Band and Lochiel Marching Drill Team, His Majesty The King’s Guard from Norway, the Imps Motorcycle Display Team and the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces Band and Drill Team in one of the finest celebrations of military entertainment anywhere on Earth.
Popular music is well catered for with Mogwai and Mark Cousins at Edinburgh Playhouse, African sensation Youssou N’Dour at the Usher Hall, Yorkston/Thorne/Khan at the Hub and ethereal Icelandic post-rock group Sigur Rós (also at the Playhouse) are among the best acts in town.