FRINGE 2026
Will Hitt: Burying The Dead
By Will HittHoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 5
14 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 21:40
45 mins
Age: 18+London-based comedian and begrudging generational talent Will Hitt brings a new show to the Fringe. Worked out over years in comedy clubs across the UK (Top Secret Comedy Club, Hot Water Comedy Club) and North America (Laugh Factory, Chicago and YukYuks, Toronto), it's a show about death, decay, selfishness, lust and moral collapse from one of the best new comedians in the country. These are the thoughts you’re afraid to give a voice to, jokes you're compelled to quote anyway. Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year finalist. As seen on the BBC.
BOOK NOWPaul Dennis: Title Explained In Blurb – The Musical. Well… sort of.
By Paul DennisHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 4
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 21:45
60 mins
Age: 14+"Make the title self-explanatory", they said. Yeah. You can't say that to an autistic person and expect them not to hemorrhage. The show is funny songs and stories about office friendships, overrated lyrics, the shadowy underworld of karaoke and musical comedy itself in a choreographed maelstrom of neurodiversity. It's self-explanatory but with nothing left to the imagination, it's useless as a selling point. There; title explained. Well... sort of. Just see it, mun. You could win a crème egg.
BOOK NOWSam Rhodes: Toy Cocoon
By Sam RhodesHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 5
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 21:50
50 mins
Age: 16+'When I was a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Then, I failed to succeed, so I got those childish things straight back out'. After his specials on Amazon Prime and numerous world tours, seasoned comedian Sam Rhodes returns to explore the struggle of a childhood of abundance and an adulthood of scarcity. Have toys and collectables become a "safety net" for modern men? 'The best comedian I’ve seen in a long time' (Steve Whitmire, voice of Kermit the Frog).
BOOK NOWAlcohol Free Comedy
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 3 (Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 21:55
50 mins
Age: 16+Top comedians cover everything from booze-fuelled chaos to sober living and the blurry middle ground. It's the stories from wild nights out, morning-after regrets, decisions to quit and the awkward "one won't hurt" negotiations we all know too well. Expect big laughs, brutal honesty and some stuff that probably should've stayed private! Nothing is off limits, but it's all handled with wit and warmth. A funny AF show of memories you might actually keep. Hosted by Andy Roach, in association with Sentia Spirits.
BOOK NOWDru Cripps: Juicy Bits
By Dru CrippsHoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:10
60 mins
Age: 16+"Master clown" Dru Cripps presents his phenomenally successful loopstation-based shenanigans – a show so good it earned five 5-star reviews, sold out Edinburgh completely, and added extra dates. No wonder it keeps selling out. This quadruple award-winner (British Comedy Guide, Malcolm Hardee, Comedy Store King Gong, etc) and BBC New Comedian of the Year nominee uses questionable musical abilities that leaves audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter. Armed with his trusty loopstation, he transforms audience suggestions into improvised songs, spontaneous musical sketches, and utterly winning chaos in real-time.
BOOK NOWTom Short: I Get ChatGPT To Write My Edinburgh Show
By Tom ShortHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 4 (Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:15
60 mins
Age: 18+Award-winning comedian Tom Short attempts to become famous by outsourcing his Edinburgh show to artificial intelligence – and the audience. What could possibly go wrong? Blending stand-up, live tech and audience suggestions, this chaotic and unpredictable hour is reshaped nightly in pursuit of the perfect Edinburgh show. As the algorithm takes control, it spirals into something increasingly strange... and worryingly accurate. A sharp, funny and slightly unhinged take on fame, identity and the internet’s obsession with validation. 'One to watch' (StarburstMagazine.com).
BOOK NOWAndy Barr: A Comet Appears (WIP)
By Andy BarrHoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 2
24 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 22:20
60 mins
Age: 16+Andy Barr (Leicester Comedy Festival 2025 Best New Show nominee) shows his working on a new show about medieval monks, change, comets and the pace of all three. ***** (Young-Perspective.net). 'Get ready to meet your new favourite comedian' (John Kearns). 'A funny boy' (Tim Key, iNews).
BOOK NOWBig Naked Variety Show
By Paul SavageHoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 3
7 Aug - 10 Aug
Start times: 22:20
45 mins
Age: 18+The sell-out comedy runs away to the circus! See the very best magicians, jugglers and contortionists as you've never seen them before (unless you've been very lucky). Raw and uncensored. They're also not wearing clothes. Join host Paul Savage and a revolving line up of brilliant comedians letting it all hang out. That is not a metaphor. 'A riotous show. A fantastic experience from the get-go' ***** (@SuchClicheTheatre, 2025). 'Funny as f*ck' ****½ (One4Review.co.uk). 'Exactly as wild, unpredictable and funny as the name suggests. Bold, bizarre and unapologetically honest' **** (QultureMagazine.com).
BOOK NOWCult
Hoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 2
7 Aug - 23 Aug
Start times: 22:20
55 mins
Age: 18+Join the cult. A fully immersive experience where the audience are initiated into their own unique cult. Incorporating real world recruitment tactics CULT is a show like no other; interactive, ridiculous and dark. Don't turn away from the light.
BOOK NOW12th Annual Haters' Ball
By Hate N LiveHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 1
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:30
70 mins
Age: 14+Winner of the 2026 Chortle Award for Best Format Show at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Haters' Ball returns for its 12th riotous year, pitting four comedians head to head in a battle of wits, ruthlessly roasting whatever the audience throws their way. From A-list celebrities, breaking news, to the poor souls in the audience... nothing is sacred. You name it, we roast it. International sell-out from Perth Fringe to London's Top Secret Comedy Club, and rumoured favourite of Gerard Butler, no two shows are ever the same.
BOOK NOWStephen Catling: Clown Fish Out Of Water
Hoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 1
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:30
60 mins
Age: 16+When clowns can't breathe water and fish can't breathe air – what's a poor Clown Fish to do in this cruel world? In 2025, Catling (Keep It Fringe Award Winner 2023, Malcolm Hardee Award Nominee 2023 and 2025) lost his slug mask. It was an essential part of his cult hit show Moving On...Really Really Slowly. This time, Stephen explores his life now that Autism has been “unmasked", as well as his fin flapping rage against an increasingly soulless entertainment industry. Who knows what is going to be in store?
BOOK NOWFreya Mallard: Come Get Me World! I’m Wide Open! (WIP)
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 6 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
19 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 22:35
60 mins
Age: 16+Freya Mallard presents Come Get Me World! I’m Wide Open!, a hilarious and heartfelt show about the vulnerability and counterintuitive nature of being happy. A silly dive into reckless optimism, an unpacking on why you cry every year on your birthday and if all goes well probably the answer to the meaning of life.
BOOK NOWRhino Conservation Erotic Novel
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 6
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:40
60 mins
Age: 16+Rhinos are going extinct and human birth rates are declining across the West. Two young men have taken it upon themselves to Make Cum Great Again by creating the ultimate erotic experience for rhinos and people alike. Gabriel Madden ('circumcised', Chortle.co.uk) and Daniel Trengove ('uncircumcised', Dr Wong PhD) are grateful for the opportunity to present their work to you and your family.
BOOK NOWMaria Fedulova: Literal Saint
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 3
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:50
50 mins
Age: 16+After a sold-out Edinburgh debut run, award-winning comedian and political refugee Maria Fedulova returns with a sequel to Russian. Mafia. Family. Are you a good person? Maria thinks she is. But compared to her great-grandmother, a literal orthodox saint, is it hard for a modern Russian woman displaced to the West to live up to those expectations? 'A late-night gem of a show' **** (Scotsman). 'Raw talent... a powerhouse comedian' ***** (ThePhoenixRemix.com).
BOOK NOWMy Mum Accidentally Set Me Up With A Married Woman
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 19 Aug
Start times: 22:50
50 mins
Age: 18+A saleswoman knocked on my family’s door. My mum got her number, and insisted I asked the woman out. I was single, desperate and living with my parents. We started dating and things were going well. My mum thought we were going to get married. The problem was, this woman was already married. It was open marriage, but I didn't have courage to tell my sheltered, Christian parents the raunchy truth. So, I tried keeping the marriage a secret. I tried and failed. This stand-up comedy show explains it all.
BOOK NOWRachel Baker Presents: Gwen – This is Not a Pyramid Scheme
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
20 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 22:50
45 mins
Age: 16+Hi, Gwen here, I'm out of prison and, no, I don't have any more bacon and egg flavoured vapes for sale! BUT, this is my next venture, I'll teach you how to become resilient, gorgeous and gregarious through my late night rambunctious extravaganza, with dance music and interaction. Gwen was a finalist in the Sketch Off Awards 2025 and the winner of the Luke Rollason Character Bursary. Rachel Baker is a Big Value Act 2026, Funny Women Finalist and Birmingham Breaking Talent nominee. As heard on BBC Radio 4.
BOOK NOWBin Fire
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 2 (The Main Hall, Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 23:00
60 mins
Age: 18+A compilation of comedians telling their worst, most ill-judged jokes. We invite the best comedians at the Fringe to delve into their archives to find material that has never worked, to test ideas that really do make you wonder, 'What on earth were they thinking?'. An anarchic late night show where everything is designed to go wrong.
BOOK NOWComedians Play Video Games
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 4
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 23:00
60 mins
Age: 14+Geeks, nerds unite! From Smash Bros to Overcooked, Mario Kart to Goose Game, a brief detour via Tetris and a pitstop at Pikmin: Jake Baker, Steffan Alun and Cerys Bradley welcome you to the flat* (*Fringe venue) to play video games. Late-night anarchic gameshow with big laughs, small prizes, and a medium amount of nerdy chaos. Whether you were a Sega or Nintendo kid; whether you owned a Wii or PlayStation; or whether you've never even touched a controller – come hang out at Edinburgh's friendliest late-night show. 'Like GamesMaster but without the sexism!' (Audience Review).
BOOK NOWQuest for the Coolest F*cking Animal (A Kids Show for Adults)
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
7 Aug - 14 Aug
Start times: 23:10
60 mins
Age: 18+A late-night, adults-only version of the hit kids show Quest for the Coolest Animal in the World. This unfiltered edition dives into the most inappropriate, unethical and downright disturbing behaviours in the animal kingdom. With award-winning comedian Robyn Perkins and musician / comedian Elaine Fellows: expect lies, scams and creatures behaving very, very badly. Winner: Pegasus Awards, Best Kids Show 2024. Winner: Children's Event, Weekly Award, Fringe World Perth 2025. 'A show that was equal parts smart, silly and downright hilarious' ***** (KidsInAdelaide.com.au). 'Standout scientific fun!' ****½ ((AdelaideFringe.com.au/FringeFeed).
BOOK NOWRob Kemp: Beatlesjuice
By Rob KempHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
15 Aug - 29 Aug
Start times: 23:10
60 mins
Age: 12+Cult comedy horror movie, Beetlejuice, retold through the songs of not-even-remotely cult band, The Beatles. A multimedia mashup tribute to the Fab Four and the Ghost with the Most by the award-winning creator of The Elvis Dead. So clap your hands or rattle your jewellery, cos it's showtime!
BOOK NOW
