Online Edinburgh Fringe Festival Announced

For many, summer just isn’t the same without the Edinburgh Fringe. Running annually since 1947, it's the biggest festival of its kind in the world and 2020 is the first time it's been cancelled. The Fringe is a huge contributor to the city’s economy, as well as the arts industry as a whole and it’s absence will certainly be felt. But despite this, the organisers have decided to launch an online version of the festival. 

In order to support the spaces and artists that have been impacted, The Fringe Society and Crowdfunder have set up a new platform called ‘FringeMakers’, which will provide them with vital funds and ensure that they are financially able to return in 2021. Tailored support will also be provided alongside webinars, one-to-one training and how-to guides, all of which will be available from today. 

Every week in August, the festival will stream a variety show called ‘Fringe on a Friday’. Produced and curated by an independent production company, it will showcase the very best of the festival. It will cover a wide range of genres including: comedy, music, dance, and more. Venues and acts will be able to sell tickets for the broadcast and keep 100% of the profits. More information about the series, including the host and line-up, will be revealed in the next few weeks. 

‘Fringe Pick N Mix’ will utilise technology from last year’s Inspiration Machine, which randomly selected shows for those who couldn’t decide what to see. Performers are encouraged to submit a 60-second video to a mixed stream of entertainment with viewers able to donate to a survival fund. The festival is hoping that it will be “playful, irreverent and very Fringey”. 

In partnership with industry experts, over 30 different workshops will be held for the Fringe community. The resources will be open to everyone and will include networking sessions, panel discussions and digital skills development. An online version of the Fringe Marketplace will aim to create opportunities for a post-Covid industry such as peer reviewing and future commissions. 

As per usual, all of this will run throughout August. Merchandise such as notebooks, magnets and clothing are all available through the official website here.