#DareToDiscover the Fringe 2025 programme
It's nearly time for the world's largest arts festival - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - which this year will feature performers from across the world and work from 58 countries.
The 2025 programme has 3,352 shows across 265 venues, with themes tackling some of the most topical issues in the world today. From rebellious women to the paranormal; the apocalypse to nostalgia; queer joy to life with illness; rave and club culture to science and technology.
Launching the 2025 Fringe programme, Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: 'Programme launch is such an exciting moment for everyone involved in making the Fringe happen. Thank you to all the Fringe-makers – the artists, venues, workers, producers, technicians, promoters, support staff and audiences that bring their unmatched, exceptional energy to Edinburgh in August.
‘This year’s Fringe programme is filled with every kind of performance, so whether you’re excited for theatre or circus, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or cabaret; get ready to dare to discover this August. Jump right in, book your favourites, shows that intrigue you and take a chance on something new.’
2025 Fringe in numbers
- 3,352 total shows
- 265 total venues
- 49,521 performances
- Work from Scotland: 923
- Work from Rest of UK: 1,392
- International countries: 54 (excluding UK countries)
- 321 free shows and 529 Pay What You Can / Want shows.
2025 Fringe by Genre
- Comedy – 1,214 shows (36.2%)
- Theatre – 930 shows (27.7%)
- Music – 370 shows (11.0%)
- Musicals and opera – 165 shows (4.9%)
- Cabaret and variety – 159 shows (4.7%)
- Spoken word – 154 shows (4.6%)
- Childrens' shows – 140 shows (4.2%)
- Dance, physical theatre and circus – 130 shows (3.9%)
- Events – 49 shows (1.5%)
- Exhibitions – 42 shows (1.3%)
Comedy remains the largest part of the Fringe and there are plenty of familiar faces returning for shows this August, including Nina Conti, Bill Bailey, Paul Sinha, Mark Thomas, Josie Long, Jenny Eclaire, Bridget Christie, Desiree Burch, and David O’Doherty. Making her Edinburgh Fringe debut is US comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who will reflect on her spats with Donald Trump and her relocation to Ireland.