FRINGE 2026
A Bunch of Characters – Hugo Hayes
By Hugo HayesHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 6
7 Aug - 18 Aug
Start times: 13:40
45 mins
Age: 14+Hugo has some new characters he wants to show you. With over 30 million views online and tens of thousands of followers, can he do it IRL? Come and find out. Featured in Chortle.co.uk's Edinburgh Fringe 10x10 Sketch Shows to watch 2025.
BOOK NOWAlt or Nothing: Alternative Comedy Showcase
By Hoots FringeHoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 13:40
55 mins
Age: 16+The all or nothing alternative comedy showcase where bold performers debut wild ideas, strange characters and daring material. No safety net. No guarantees. Just raw, unpredictable comedy where anything can happen, sometimes spectacularly! Every night features a different line-up of comedians, clowns and characters. No two shows are ever the same. Join us for new chaos daily!
BOOK NOWRyan Charnoky: Sell Out
Hoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
24 Aug - 28 Aug
Start times: 13:40
45 mins
Age: 14+Gay. American. Misunderstood. Ryan Charnoky is a gay American comedian living in Germany, trying to fit in while constantly being misunderstood. Sell Out is a stand-up show about coming out, immigrating, cultural confusion and the gap between how you see yourself and how everyone else sees you. Ryan is also the creator of the clueless "American Tourist" online, with 15M+ views monthly across social media (@ryan_stands_up). 100% of proceeds from the show go to akt, supporting LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness.
BOOK NOWSamira Banks – Work in Progress
By Samira BanksHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 6
23 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 13:40
45 mins
Age: 18+A new material stand up comedy show by Samira, known for her deadpan delivery, her devastating punchlines and the cheeky glint in her eye just before she pulls the trigger. As a daughter of refugees, with a dark sense of humour, and an often surreal and silly way of seeing the world, join Samira, winner of the prestigious So You Think You're Funny? award, as she experiments and explores in this work in progress.
BOOK NOWStuart Thomas: Bad Fatty
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 4 (Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 13:40
45 mins
Age: 16+A punchline-heavy stand-up hour about how fat men are portrayed in film, TV and comedy – and what that does to you, when you grow up inside those stories. From wheezing sidekicks and cautionary tales, to sexless best friends, Stuart Thomas dismantles the cliches with sharp writing and high-energy delivery. This isn’t a lecture – it’s a mischievous, joke-dense show about taking up space unapologetically. 'Made me laugh a lot' (Kate Copstick, Scotsman). Finalist: Beat the Frog World Series.
BOOK NOWWill Hitt: Burying The Dead
By Will HittHoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
21 Aug
Start times: 13:40
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 NOWScary Queen of Scots
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 3
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 13:50
50 mins
Age: 16+We have all dreamed about being famous as children. Gill dreamt about being switched at birth and one day her family, a royal family, would come get her... 50 years on, it still hasn't happened. Gill's life, like Mary Queen of Scots, has had some misadventures, terrible failed relationships and near-death experiences. But unlike Mary, Gill won't lose her head. She's ready to claim the throne and pronounce herself the Queen of Scottish Comedy. A fun show that looks at thwarted dreams and failed ambitions.
BOOK NOW2026 Pick of the Fringe
By Hoots FringeHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 2 (The Main Hall, Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:00
55 mins
Age: 14+Hoots Comedy official Pick of the Fringe showcase returns for 2026 with another hand-picked selection of our favourite acts from across the Fringe. We present an ever-changing lineup of some of the best comics the Fringe has to offer, all crammed into one amazing show. 'A must–see for Scottish comedy lovers' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Rick Molland is perfect for the role of compere' (ThreeWeeks). 'Stand-out stand-up' (Rip It Up). Perth Fringe Comedy Award nominated.
BOOK NOWAdele Cliff: Work in Progress
By Adele CliffHoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 1
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:00
60 mins
Age: 16+Multi award-winning comedian, Adele Cliff, brings a work-in-progress show to the Fringe. Expect material on love, life choices and llamas. Catch these jokes whilst they're still super fresh. Praise for Adele's previous shows: 'Master of comedy' ***** (TheatreMatters.com.au). 'Truly funny' ***** (TLA Adelaide). 'Guaranteed laughs' ***** (The Student Newspaper). 'A-list jokes' **** (TheComicsComic.com). 'Heartfelt storytelling and incredibly astute observations' **** (Hugging Comedians). 'Takes her job to be silly very seriously and it certainly pays off' **** (EdFringeReview.com). 'Funny, well-written' **** (One4Review.co.uk).
BOOK NOWElliot Wengler: Jokemon
Hoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 1
19 Aug - 26 Aug
Start times: 14:00
60 mins
Age: 12+Jokemon Red and Blue returns! Elliot Wengler presents his comedic and chaotic history of the monster-hunting franchise with a joke for every Pokémon! Family-friendly stand-up suitable no matter your knowledge of Pokémon! Following sell-out runs in 2024 and 2025, having taken the smash-hit show around the UK, USA and Australia, the Malcolm Hardee Comic Originality Award-nominated 2024 show returns. Will we finally catch 'em all and become Jokémon masters? Full of puns, clowning and chaos, this is not to be missed. 'Likeable performer, nice ideas!' (BroadwayBaby.com). Truly funny stories. Fun for all ages (12+ advised).
BOOK NOWGood Boy
By Sorabh DhirHoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 1
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:00
45 mins
Age: 16+Can these slumdogs be good boys? Sorabh Dhir grew up in a typical Indian household, where education was paramount and dogs were to be feared. Growing up in Essex, Sorabh always felt everyone around him decided who he was before he did. Wondering whether he is British or Indian enough? Should he be a lawyer or a tech bro? Who should he marry? What if he abandons all of that for comedy and gets a dog called Rocket? Good Boy is a show about finding success through mistakes. With special guest appearances from Rocket!
BOOK NOWJames Gardner: Good Afternoon
Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 4
22 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:00
60 mins
Age: 14+Scottish comedy sensation James Gardner returns for a limited run with a bold yet unpretentious show packed full of jokes and comic disaster, dealing with everything from life in London to middle age and his love for Scottish football. A regular at comedy clubs in Glasgow and London with over 60 million views online, James is not to be missed. As seen/heard on TalkSPORT, Off the Ball, Breaking The News. 'Really, really funny' (BBC Scotland). 'Killed me' (Ally McCoist). 'This fella is gonna kill it as a comedian' (TalkSPORT).
BOOK NOWSophie Sconcia: Mother Superior
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 6 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:05
60 mins
Age: 16+Award-winning comedian Sophie Sconcia disappoints her religious mother every day and twice on Sundays. A hilarious show about battling mothers, motherhood, influencer kids and other demons. 'More to her than just jokes. Sophie charms her audience then hits them with a killer punchline' (West End New Act of the Year). 'Confident, quietly subversive and funny as f*ck' (Andrew O’Neill). 45 minutes of divinely funny and irreverent comedy from Sophie plus a different guest comedian every day.
BOOK NOWAaagony Aunts
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:10
55 mins
Age: 12+Award-bothering and startlingly wise comedians, Pauline Eyre and Louise Leigh, are here to take their guests’ problems seriously. As they say: a problem shared is a problem halfway to becoming a funny story. Every day, we unpack the meaty* issues that are holding back some of the funniest comedians at the Fringe. We solve those problems with the help of you the audience, a selection of kitchen utensils and the mighty Salad Spinner of Destiny. Making the world a better place, one spatula, one messed-up comedian, at a time. 'Really really good' (Coherent Comedy, podcast). *and veggie.
BOOK NOWThe Gaffe Presents
Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 5
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:10
50 mins
Age: 16+Want to see the next hit Fringe show before anyone else? The Gaffe, Bristol’s award-winning comedy club, presents a rolling programme of formats and work-in-progresses from comedians at the beating heart of the South West’s vibrant comedy scene. See them hone material, workshop ideas and refine routines in pursuit of a new hour. They’re not around for long, so don’t miss out!
BOOK NOWJames Regal is a People Pleaser
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:15
60 mins
Age: 18+What happens when the compulsion to avoid conflict at all costs collides with the messy realities of adult life? Loss of identity, marriage troubles, and a terrible misunderstanding in a Barcelona sex club, that's what. In his debut Edinburgh comedy hour, Barcelona-based Englishman, James Regal, explores what it means to know yourself when you've spent your life being whoever the room needs you to be. 'Sharp and playful' (Michelle Wolf). 'A corking tale…with a remarkable late twist' (British Comedy Guide). Dov's Best Jewish Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe 2024. 'Loose, raw, and genuinely funny.'
BOOK NOWLilla Multipass: Woman(33)
Hoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 2
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 16+'Hidden gem with a serious potential to be a hit at the Fringe' (FringeReview.co.uk). A theatrical clown comedy about Woman whose life is one size too small. As she begins unpacking years of avoidance in therapy, she is confronted by the shadow parts of herself: the self-conscious consumer, the concerningly mature inner child and the confident Boss Bitch. An absurd therapy session about searching for authenticity and finding joy again. 'Chaos element' ***** (MorningStarOnline.co.uk). 'Joy to watch and impossible not to love on stage' (Roger O'Sullivan). 'Lilla is a big idiot' (Lara Ricote).
BOOK NOWRichard Pulsford: Yorkshire Dad, Immigrant Mum
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 5
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 16+Multi award-winning comedian Richard Pulsford has taken a step away from his usual quality one-liners and pun shows to write and perform this new autobiographical show. This show sees Richard taking a nostalgic dive into his parents’ past as he tries to understand what made them who they were, and therefore discover who he is. His parentage is an unusual mix, with a dad from Yorkshire and a "foreign" mum from continental Europe. Perhaps it should be no surprise that with such a heritage, Richard ended up being, by his own admission, funny.
BOOK NOWWhat's Happening Now?
By Sam HampsonHoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 2
8 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 14+The panel show bringing comics, journalists, wise women and clueless men together to figure out: What's Happening Now? A comedy compilation for people who want to care about the world, but are exhausted by it. Based on the podcast of the same name, WHN has been called QI meets Have I Got News For You and now, for the first time, a live audience helps tackle the biggest questions, curiosities and stories befuddling the world. Previous guests include Rosie Holt, Stuart Goldsmith, the former director of BBC News and a Tory activist who campaigns by downing pints.
BOOK NOWA Pub Quiz for D**kheads
By RGB MonsterHoots @ The Wee Red Bar — The Wee Red Bar
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:30
50 mins
Age: 18+A strictly 18+ pub quiz for know-it-alls, written and hosted by comedians. Gather your most insufferable friends, bring a charged smartphone in case you want to cheat, and grab a pint to enjoy the most ludicrous quiz of your life. Questions range from the guessable: Q: Which two countries have the colour pink in their flag? A: Spain and Mexico. To the argument-starting: Q: Which of those two countries is the laziest? A: We'll hear arguments from both sides and take a vote. The total sell-out at Perth FRINGE WORLD makes its Edinburgh Fringe debut!
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