Edinburgh Fringe grows again | 2018 programme out, with 4 per cent more shows than 2017

Edinburgh Fringe grows again

2018 programme out, with 4 per cent more shows than 2017

The official 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme has been launched today, boasting a total of 3,548 shows.

That’s up another 4.4 per cent on the number of shows in last year’s printed programme and equates to 56,796 performances across 317 venues, with 55 countries represented.


Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society which co-ordinates the event said: ‘ This year’s programme contains an eclectic mix of creative endeavour from across the globe that will move, challenge and, of course, entertain.

‘This year we are encouraging everyone who comes to the Fringe to take a leap into the unknown. Whether this is your first or your 50th time visiting the Fringe as a performer or audience member, this is a place where new discoveries wait around every corner. 

‘There is no other festival in the world that offers such a broad or diverse range of cultural experiences. The Fringe is a festival that empowers its audiences to create their own adventure.’

‘Into The Unknown’ is also the slogan used for this year’s festival, the 71st, and is printed on the cover of the programme.

Comedy remains the biggest section of the programme at 35 per cent of all shows, the same as last year, ahead of theatre at 27 per cent (down from 28 per cent).

There are 697 free shows, up 1.6 per cent on last time, 260 pay what you want shows and 1,937 premieres.

Browse Chortle’s listings of more than 1,000 shows here.

Published: 6 Jun 2018

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