10 Tips to Help You Enjoy the Edinburgh Festivals
RabbiePosted on 2 May 2022
During the August festivals, Edinburgh’s population doubles. It’s an epic atmosphere that’s inspiring, impressive and irresistible.
But it can also be a little overwhelming.
You can end up lost in the immense listings of fantastic shows, and confused as to whether you want to see a comedy, a dance, or a circus performance.
But no need to fear, just read our simple guide before visiting Edinburgh to help you get the most out of your time in the Edinburgh festival season.
1. Free doesn't mean bad
Cost doesn’t always mean quality; during the Edinburgh fringe festival season any of the free shows could be award winners. They’re often original, daring, and buzzing with the raw energy of ambitious young performers. And you never know, you may hit the jackpot and end up watching the stars of the future. So our advice is to check out a mixture of free and paid shows.
2. How many shows?
See as much as you can. Yet, at the same time, know your limits. If you can’t handle watching eight ballet shows in a row without eating, then don’t book them.
As a rough figure, we’d recommend four or five shows in a day. This leaves you enough time to eat, catch your breath, absorb the atmosphere, and watch all the crazy crowds.
And if you’re knackered after a day at the festival, you can always take a break and escape to the Highlands with one of our day tours.
3. Mix it up
Comedy shows are an easy choice: we all want to laugh so hard that we fall off our chair. But the Edinburgh festival isn’t about the safe option. It’s about experimenting and challenging the norm. So do things you’d never usually do: if you like heavy metal, go see a ballet; if you love a rap battle, go to a Shakespeare play. Mix it up and experience something new.
4. Download the apps
We hate to say it, but the clunky Edinburgh festival guides are as suitable for a handbag as a tonne of bricks. So lighten your load with an app. The Plan My Fringe app helps you make your decisions with description of shows and integrated maps features. You can find out more information here.
5. Talk to EVERYONE
When you look at the Edinburgh festival posters, it can seem as if all 3,107 shows are outstanding 5-star performances; which makes it tricky to decide what to see.
So our advice is this: ignore the reviews, find a friendly face and ask them if they’ve seen anything good, then, ask another stranger, and then another. Or better yet, wait until your friends have been to the festival and ask them what shows they liked. Reviews can be helpful, but it’s best to get as many opinions as possible.
6. Go further afield
It happens to everyone. You find a venue or bar you like, and you stick to it. But this isn’t a great tactic during the festivals, because there are around 300 unique venues dotted around a gorgeous city. So you should try to visit a few of them to get an idea of the scale and feel of the festival.
7. Don't be late
Some comedians love it when you’re late; it means they can make fun of you; however, the majority of performers hate it. And it’s understandable, because if you’d lovingly worked a whole year on your show, you’d want people to see it from start to finish. Being on time has other benefits too, it sometimes means you can pick the best seat, and it means you’ll never be refused entry for being late.
8. Carry cash
You remember the free shows we mentioned? At the end of those you may want to tip. There are also a few cash only bars, so it’s a good idea to carry cash. But watch out, because a lot of cash machines in the centre of town run out of money, which means it’s best to go to the ATM before you hit the centre of town.
9. Prepare for four seasons in a day
We all know British weather is unpredictable. And during the festival, you’re going to spend a lot of time outside. Don’t let this be a problem, just make sure you’re prepared: always have good waterproofs in your bag, always keep enough clothes to keep you warm, and always keep your sun cream nearby.
10. Do your research and buy in advance
Check out the Edinburgh Festival City, Edinburgh International Festival and EdFringe websites, and if there’s something you really want to see book your tickets in advance. It helps structure your day and means you avoid missing out if that show sells out.
And our final tip: enjoy yourself and make it memorable.
Fringe performance image & Bath image by Festival Fringe Society [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via
Wikimedia Commons
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