The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one not to be missed for lovers of the arts – even if you’re travelling from the other side of the world!
Regarded as the one of the world’s largest and most iconic performing arts festivals, you can experience just about every genre of art in the beautiful city of Edinburgh for three weeks – from theatre, comedy, opera, cabaret and beyond from 1 – 25 August 2025.
Not only will there be performances held by your favourite artists, but there will also be a high chance of you discovering a new face since the Edinburgh Fringe Festival supports up-and-coming artists across the globe.
Another aspect that sets this festival apart from others is that the fun isn’t limited to just one venue. The whole city is your venue! Shows can happen in concert halls, refurbished bars and even in shipping containers.
This is the highlight of the year for many folks, so don’t miss out on the fun and book your tickets. To make it easier for Aussies wanting to go, here are some pro tips to make the absolute most of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Secure travel insurance in anticipation of your trip
Let’s start with the essentials first: it’s always recommended that you get travel insurance when travelling overseas. You’ll want to make sure that you’re covered in the unlikely event that you need emergency medical attention, miss a flight, or even leave your laptop on a train.
Without insurance, these are expensive circumstances to cover and can be a nasty blow to your bank account. You’re already spending big on this trip between flights, hotels, and show tickets – don’t find yourself having to shell out even more if you need to book an unforeseen medical appointment or lose any belongings during your time abroad!
Book your flights and accommodation well in advance
Heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August? You better book your flights and accommodation early because August is when Edinburgh is the most expensive, so we recommend booking a couple of months earlier to avoid the hike in prices as the date nears.
The same goes for your accommodation as well – just to give yourself the strongest possible chance of finding a hotel room that’s centrally located and at the most competitive price point.
To save on flights, a tactic you can use is to fly out a week or two before August, but this is only if you want to stay a bit longer or head there earlier. Another is if you’re a frequent flyer, you can also use your accumulated points to cover a portion of your flight ticket. You can also check if the credit cards you’re using can give you a discount on flights or accommodation.
Booking your shows ahead of time too!
To stay up-to-date on what shows are happening and when, download the Fringe app. If you’re unsure about what to watch, simply shake your phone and it will suggest random shows that you might like.
The list of shows that will happen during the festival comes out in three batches, and then the full programme gets released. So have a look to know which shows you might be interested in. The dates are:
- First batch: Wednesday 12 March
- Second batch: Wednesday 2 April
- Third batch: Wednesday 7 May
- Full programme: Tuesday 3 June
Another reason to keep an eye out for shows is to see if there is any Australian talent – House of Oz is coming back for a fourth time. Described as a “house without walls”, you can bet that this performance is bound to test the current constructs of modern theatre.
If you find a show you want to watch, we recommend pre-booking because big names and highly sought-after artists tend to sell out quite quickly. But if you haven’t decided on what to see yet, no fret, you can use it in your favour since it leaves room for spontaneity and discovering an unexpected gem. Booking same-day shows can also be cheaper because they’ll be discounted and can even be half-priced.
Explore your surroundings between show times
Visiting Edinburgh and exploring what it has to offer ought to be a crime because how can you resist its beauty? With both natural wonders and historical locations, here are some places you should drop by:
- Edinburgh Castle is where Scottish royalty like Mary Queen of Scots used to live.
- The Scottish Highlands is where you can spot the renowned Loch Ness monster, catch sight of picturesque views, and see the village of Glencoe, where Harry Potter and James Bond were filmed.
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse is where the late Queen Elizabeth II used to reside whenever she visited Scotland.
If you’re looking for an activity, you can take part in The Scotch Whisky Experience at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. There you’ll learn about the whisky distilling process in an interactive way.
Expect the best weather, but prepare for the worst
Weather in Edinburgh is different from Australia, so your flip-flops and tank tops might not be suitable – that is if you don’t want to freeze. Average temperatures in August are around 18° Celsius, but early August would be a tad bit warmer. Even though August is their summertime, the UK, especially up north in Scotland, offers unpredictable weather and might encounter a summer storm or two.
Pack a sweater or a jacket in your luggage because while you can expect the warmest of the Scottish weather, you need to prepare for the cold, too. Having an umbrella, a raincoat or anything waterproof will be valuable, and it’s also a good idea to carry some medicine for colds and illnesses.
Experience all that the Edinburgh Fringe has to offer
Making the most of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as an Aussie involves some foresight. Make sure you get some reputable travel insurance, book your flights and accommodation as soon as you can, pack appropriately and generously, download the Fringe app and book your shows.
Finally, leave some time in your itinerary to explore the cultural and historical delight that is Edinburgh. You’re travelling from the other side of the world, after all! You might as well indulge in the whole tourist experience wherever you can.
Image: The Royal Mile during Edinburgh Festival Fringe (supplied)