The Fringe street events bring an explosion of breath-taking sights, sounds and experiences to the streets of Edinburgh, where you'll be able to catch incredible acts from a diverse range of world-class street entertainers.
This page is aimed at street events audiences. If you have an act and would like to perform with us, check out our guide to street events in the Take Part section.
An introduction to the Fringe street events
What to bring
- Clothing for every eventuality – Edinburgh can have very changeable weather!
- If you are bringing small children, have a plan in case they get separated from you.
- Street performers earn their main income from the audiences watching them, so bring some cash to drop into their hat (some performers also take card!)
Where to go
The main event areas are right in the heart of Edinburgh – the High Street / Royal Mile (from Cockburn Street to George IV Bridge), Hunter Square and the Mound Precinct, off Princes Street.
The centre of Edinburgh is very busy during the Fringe. We highly recommend walking or taking public transport to get to and from the Fringe street events, rather than using a car. The sites are close to Edinburgh Waverley railway station, major bus routes and cycle routes. There are bike racks within the sites. Find out more about getting here.
BSL at the Fringe street events
BSL interpreted street performances take place on various days throughout the Fringe – we'll update this page with those dates once they are confirmed.
We are delighted to work with Deaf Action to provide this.
Daily schedule
The street events draw takes place every day of the Fringe street events from 10:00; once it's complete, we update this page with the schedule.
What to see
There’s lots to see at the Fringe street events. Here are just some of the performers and activities you’re likely to see during your visit.
Buskers
Music, magic, circus, sideshow. You’ll see all these and more in our busker pitches dotted around the event arenas. We register over 500 buskers, so there’s always something new to see.
Street performers
These professional performers come from around the world to perform at the Fringe, using a mixture of comedy, theatre and circus skills.
Living statues
There are plenty of statues in Edinburgh, but not all of them move. Strange characters, wonderful costumes and a surprise await should you drop a coin into the hat. All our living statues make their own costumes and create their own micro-theatre scenes.
Street artists
Among the performance areas, in every nook and cranny you’ll find someone exchanging a skill for a donation: portrait artists, caricaturists, hair braiders, face painters, palmists and more.
The Mound – finale performances
End your afternoon at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a bang! Our Finale performances are the highlight of the street events, showcasing big, loud and spectacular acts at the Mound Precinct every day at 17:15. These pre-scheduled shows are designed to close each day of if the street events with unforgettable energy and excitement. From dynamic marching bands and grand choirs to electrifying drumming groups and powerful brass bands, our Finale performances are a must-see for anyone looking to experience the vibrant spirit of the Fringe street events programme.
Audience participation
Street performers rely on audience participation to create an exciting performance. Many performers will invite members of the audience "on-stage" to be part of a trick or stunt. As an audience member, taking part in a street event can be a thrilling and memorable experience!
Bring the kids
The Fringe street events are family-friendly and a great way of introducing kids to the festival and live performance. Many of the acts are specifically geared towards children and while there might be a few cheeky moments, all shows should be generally suitable for children.
The street events are a busy place and care should be taken to ensure children do not get separated from their parents or guardians. We have procedures in place to deal with lost children and work closely with the police and security on site, so please tell a member of staff straightaway if you can’t find your child.
We would recommend making sure that your child has a phone number or other contact details with them at all times, especially if English is not their first language.
Paying performers
The Fringe street events is a busking festival. This means that the only people paying the performers are you, the watching public. If you enjoy a show and you can afford it, please show your appreciation and put some money in the hat.
Street theatre is for everyone, so if you cannot afford to pay our performers that’s ok. A simple "thank you" is also welcome.
The Street Events team
The Fringe street events staff are positioned throughout the event area and will be happy to assist you with anything you need. They will be wearing red tops with "Fringe Street Team" on the back. We have a dedicated first aid team on hand so let us know if you need medical assistance. All our staff have access training and will be more than happy to help those with additional access needs.
Year-round you can get in touch with any questions by emailing streetevents@edfringe.com.