Edmonton International Fringe Festival

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the oldest and largest fringe festival in North America. For eleven days every August, the historic Old Strathcona district transforms into a massive, high-energy pedestrian zone. The festival follows a unique uncurated model where performers are chosen by lottery and keep 100% of their ticket sales. Beyond the hundreds of indoor plays staged in official venues and “Bring Your Own Venue” (BYOV) spaces, the event features world-class street performers, local artisan vendors, and diverse food stands. It is a cornerstone of the city’s identity as “Festival City.”