How to make the most of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025: Top tips, must-sees and where to head for a pint
Incredible theatre shows. Spectacular street performers. Up-and-coming comedians. Day after day of unique events. It really could only be the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The Fringe is a huge part of Edinburgh’s identity and a true celebration of art and performance in the UK. For three weeks in August, the city hums and buzzes with creativity, hosting the largest arts festival in the world. If you’ve never been, it’s something every arts lover should experience at least once.
If 2025 is your year to experience the Fringe, we’ve got tips and advice to make the most of your stay, as well as the best Greene King pubs in Edinburgh to level up your festival experience.
What is the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world. For three weeks in August, it takes over the city with artists and performers taking to the hundreds of stages across Edinburgh to showcase their talents.
The programme spans everything from stand-up comedy, theatre and dance to circus, cabaret, musicals, spoken word, exhibitions and more. Across the city, you’ll get to experience shows in a range of both conventional and unconventional performance spaces, from theatres, concert halls and pubs to parks, buses and shipping containers.
The Fringe first began in 1947 and runs alongside the Edinburgh International Festival. But unlike the invite-only International Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe is open to everyone. That makes it a launchpad for up-and-coming acts and a must-see for anyone looking to discover the next big thing
When does the Edinburgh Fringe start?
The Edinburgh Fringe starts on 1st August 2025 and runs until the 25th August 2025. During that time, you’ll find hundreds of shows happening every day at different venues across the city.
Some events are free or pay-what-you-can, while some can cost up to £20. This year, all shows need an e-ticket, which you can book online or through the dedicated EdFringe app.
What to see and how to choose
The performers across the Edinburgh Fringe are announced in the run-up to the festival. The first wave dropped in March, with the full programme launch on the 3rd June. This gives you plenty of time to plan who you want to see. You can browse online to find shows and use filters to narrow things down by genre, time or venue.
But, the Fringe is all about spontaneity. Stumbling across an incredible act. Hearing a recommendation from a fellow festivalgoer. Taking a chance on a flyer handed to you in the street. You really want to leave some room in your festival plan for some spur-of-the-moment shows. And the EdFringe app is a great way to do it.
It helps you stay up to date with everything happening across the festival. The ‘Nearby Now’ feature shows performances starting soon near your location, while ‘Shake to Search’ gives you a random pick with a quick shake of your phone. It’s one of the best ways to stumble into something brilliant.
Don’t miss the street events
The street events are a huge part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They bring an explosion of breathtaking sights, sounds and performances. You’ll see jugglers, fire breathers, escape artists, street artists, mimes, living statues, buskers, and so much more.
Simply wandering around the city and catching street performances as you go is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the cultural fervour of the festival. The family-friendly atmosphere of the street performances is ideal for kids and Fringe first-timers too.
Just remember to bring some cash with you to reward the performers and show your appreciation after a stellar performance.
So, where should you head? There are a number of street performance areas right in the heart of the city at the Royal Mile, Hunter Square and the Mound Precinct. And for a true celebration of the incredible talent on show, make your way to the Finale Performances at the Mound every day at 5.15pm. These scheduled shows close each day of the street events, and they always guarantee something spectacular.
Fringe tips for first-timers
First time at the Fringe? These tips will help you make the most of it:
✔ Walk between venues if you can
Edinburgh is a compact city and you’ll easily be able to walk between venues. It’s a better option than buses or trams, which will be extremely overcrowded at this time of year.
✔ Leave plenty of time between shows
Even if venues look close on the map, allow extra time. The streets will be busy with festivalgoers and performers, and many venues have multiple spaces with queues between shows. Plan for toilet breaks and travel time between events.
✔ Wear comfortable clothes
You’ll be on your feet a lot walking between venues and taking in street performances. Comfy trainers are ideal – impractical footwear is never good on Edinburgh’s famous cobbled streets. And while it’s August, this is still Scotland. Pack layers and a waterproof just in case.
✔ Bring cash for street performers
Street performers are performing for free, so they rely on donations as their income. If you enjoyed a show, give generously.
✔ Leave some room for spontaneity
Some of the best Fringe moments are unplanned. That show you heard about in a queue or spotted on a flyer might end up being your favourite. Don’t overbook — leave space to say yes to the unexpected.
✔ Chat to other festivalgoers to get their recommendations
Fringe buzz spreads by word of mouth. Ask people what they’ve seen and loved. You never know what hidden gem you’ll discover.
The best pubs in Edinburgh to visit during Fringe
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to meet up with friends before a show or swap notes after a performance, we have Greene King pubs all across Edinburgh. We’re throwing open our doors for the festival, so join us for a cold pint and an unbeatable Fringe atmosphere. Many of our pubs serve hearty pub food too, offering the ideal spot to fuel up before diving back into the fun of the Fringe.
Here are some pubs in Edinburgh to whet your whistle during the Fringe:
Cafe Royal
This traditional oyster bar and restaurant, right in the heart of Edinburgh, is the perfect place to grab a bite and sample some stunning seafood during the festival. Enjoy an early dinner pre-show or tuck into some food after watching a buzzworthy act. Café Royal is one of the best pubs in Edinburgh and a true favourite with Fringe festivalgoers.
Malt Shovel Inn
Tucked away down a cobbled street off the Royal Mile, the Malt Shovel Inn is the ideal pub to escape the crowds and take a load off with a quality pint and some great pub food. If you’ve been enjoying the street performers on the Royal Mile, head inside the family-friendly pub and feast your eyes on the vast selection of Scottish beers.
Albanach
Right in the thick of the action in Edinburgh, close to the Castle, in amongst the bustling festival streets and just metres from key Fringe venues, the Albanach is a Scottish pub through and through. Celebrate the end of another festival day with classic pub fare and a wee dram from among the extensive malt whisky selection.
World’s End
The World’s End is right on the edge of the Old City and a favourite amongst locals and tourists. This classic Edinburgh pub is steeped in history, with its exterior walls once forming part of the 16th-century Flodden Wall. Inside, you’ll find a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere and a menu packed with delicious British pub classics.
Milnes Bar
Just five minutes from Edinburgh Castle and close to many Fringe venues, Milnes Bar is a classic split-level Edinburgh pub with a literary and poetic past. In days gone by, literary legends have contemplated and debated life here with a few drams of whisky. Today, it’s your turn to pull up a seat and chat about this year’s standout shows.
Make the most of your festival visit
Yes, the Edinburgh Fringe is all about watching incredible performances, soaking up creativity, and discovering up-and-coming acts. But the atmosphere across the city is something else entirely.
Edinburgh truly comes alive in late summer. Crowds gather for street performers, pubs buzz with punters, and the air is full of smiles, laughter and excitement. A visit here in August means you can simply soak it all in.
And some of the best places to take it all in are our Greene King pubs across the city. Why not add a little fun to your visit by following our Edinburgh Walking Pub Trail? Embark on a journey through the city's charming streets, visiting 12 of our iconic pubs and collecting stamps along the way. And you can even unlock a treasure trove of prizes! When you complete the trail, you can claim a free Walking Tour t-shirt from any of our 12 participating pubs.*
Our pubs are perfectly placed between venues, making them ideal for a quick pitstop in between to enjoy a drink and some food. We’ll have plenty of deals running throughout the Fringe, whether you want a big pre-show meal or just fancy a quick pint between performances.
There’s no better place to recharge, raise a glass, and keep the Fringe spirit going.
Find a great pub during the Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe is an unforgettable experience, and we think it’s even better with great food, good drinks and brilliant company.
If you’re heading to Edinburgh for the Fringe this August, make sure you leave time to explore our fantastic pubs across the city.
Use our handy pub finder to find a Greene King pub in Edinburgh and book your table today.