Tag: street events

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society announces street events activity for Fringe 2023

The popular street events programme is back for 2023 across three key city centre sites

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce details of the Fringe 2023 street events programme, a popular element of the festival experience. In 2022 56% of Fringe audiences watched street events performances, with iconic street scenes shared around the world across social media.

On the Royal Mile, family-friendly performers will take to the spaces of the High Street from 11:00 every day. Professional street performers from home and abroad will delight with a mix of theatre, comedy and circus skills.

In busker pitches dotted around the area, magic, music and sideshows will engage with audiences, with over 500 buskers performing over the festival. Living statues will deliver a range of surprises to those wandering by, with young children enthralled by the vibrant costumes while often confused by the seemingly impossible positions and shapes they take!

In a tradition dating back decades, each day at 10 am a street events draw will define the performances which will take place that day. A list of those performing will then be published on edfringe.com and shared across Fringe social media channels.

Working towards making the Fringe more accessible, the Fringe Society are again working with the team at Deaf Action, and BSL interpreted street performances will take place on various days throughout the Fringe, at the stage in West Parliament Square. 

On the Mound Precinct this year the Fringe Society are delighted to welcome Belhaven Brewery to the festival as a new sponsor. The Belhaven team will be running a bar within this popular space, for audiences to enjoy their award-winning beers while watching nearby performers.

A large circle pitch will be central to this space, for daily street performance across a huge range of artforms. The popular Taster Stage for Fringe acts will also return this year, with an opportunity for local community groups to perform over three days of the festival.

St James Quarter will once again be joining the street events programme this year following a successful debut in 2022. Supported by Essential Edinburgh, they will be showcasing Fringe artists by programming 33 busker performances during the festival.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society, said: “The street events programme is a must-see for residents and visitors alike, when these iconic streets of Edinburgh are host to street artists and buskers from all over the world; whether they’ve been performing for decades or a first timer, the Fringe street events showcases a range of talents, skills and styles guaranteed to lift your day!

“Bring the family, enjoy the sights and sounds, Fill Yer Boots, and don’t forget to tip performers!”

The return of the street events programme is being supported by EventScotland (part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate), and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “As one of Scotland’s most recognisable cultural assets, EventScotland is delighted to be supporting this year’s street events programme as it gets set to transform Edinburgh’s historic streets into a vibrant playground of creative energy and diverse imagination once again. 

“The street events provide a wonderful opportunity for both visitors and locals to sample a slice of something new, whilst enabling performers to showcase their incredible talent. They are a key part of Scotland’s portfolio of events and further strengthen the country’s position as a world-leading events destination”.

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The street events programme is one of the most anticipated parts of the Festival Fringe and I am delighted to see it return for 2023.

“For a month the bustling streets of the capital are transformed by buskers and artists from around the world including family friendly performers who each bring a unique and exciting performance to all who pass by.

“The programme has something for everyone so make sure to take advantage of the array of talent on offer during the festival period”.

Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director, St James Quarter said: “We are delighted to once again partner with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society by hosting a curated selection of buskers to support our ‘St James Quarter Live’ music programme in August.

“We know our guests love to be entertained whilst they are in the Quarter and look forward to welcoming some of Edinburgh’s best unplugged music talent to the Galleria. The Fringe is Just Around the Quarter.”

The street events will be delivered by Unique Events, who are managing the programme on behalf of the Fringe Society, for the third year.

Fringe Street Events Taster stages bring 650 performances to New Town

As the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe gets underway, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society are delighted to announce a full programme of activity for the new Taster Stages in St Andrew Square and Cathedral Square in St James Quarter.

Following an announcement about the extension of the traditional Street Events programme to new sites across the city centre, the Fringe Society team have been excited by the level of support shown by artists for the new spaces.

Scheduled daily from 11:00 – 18:00, the new stages will bring a taster of the Fringe to the New Town, with performers from 170 shows participating in 650 performances across both stages.

From music to magic, dance to comedy, and theatre to circus, there will be something for everyone visiting the spaces this August.  In St Andrew Square the TikTok team will be in residence and will live stream on various dates throughout August.  In the St James Quarter, the Taster Stage in Cathedral Square will be the first event to take place in this new space.

Audiences are encouraged to make repeat visits to the two stages, with performers changing throughout the day.  The tasters have been designed to allow visitors to the area the opportunity to get to know work by the artists, before booking a ticket to see their full show.

Shona McCarthy, CEO at The Edinburgh Fringe Society said: “This summer we’re delighted to be able to expand the Street Events programme to these new spaces in the New Town. 

“It’s been fantastic to see the volume of artists who have engaged with these opportunities and we encourage anyone visiting these areas to stop by to get a taste of the Fringe Festival. 

“We are grateful to our sponsors and partners in supporting our expansion of Street Events and look forward to watching performance in both the live experience, and digitally on TikTok.”

James Stafford, Head of Community & partnerships, TikTok UK, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Festival Fringe Society this year as the Official Virtual Stage.

“We will be livestreaming from the TikTok Taster Stage in St Andrews Square throughout the festival, so whether you are lucky enough to be in Edinburgh or want to tune in from afar on TikTok, the magic of the Fringe will be more accessible than ever before.’

Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a very special year for the Fringe, not only does it see the return of an amazing programme of artists and performers from around the world, it also marks 75 years of this extraordinary festival.  

“This exciting addition of new sites offering taster performances from the Fringe’s jam-packed programme brings a wider opportunity for current and potential Fringe fans to sample some of the 650 acts who will be entertaining audiences this month.”

Paul Bush, VisitScotland Director of events, said: “EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the return of the Fringe Street Events at this year’s Festival as they extend to new locations across the city centre.

“Our atmospheric crowds, iconic venues and picture-perfect backdrops make Scotland the perfect stage for events and after the challenges of the last two years now is the time to get out and enjoy all these free events have to offer.”

Nick Peel, St James Quarter said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the Taster Stage in Cathedral Square kicking off a fantastic summer of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Quarter.

“The Fringe is such an integral part of the city, the partnership supports our ambition of offering guests new experiences every time they visit. We can’t wait to see the incredible talent from across the globe descend on Cathedral Square, giving us a taste of what’s on offer across the City this August.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Fringe Society and St James Quarter to bring free Fringe activity to St Andrew Square Garden and Cathedral Square.

“I encourage everyone to stop by and get a real feel for the fantastic artists and shows on offer. With the addition of the free Fringe stages, there is now significant Fringe presence throughout the New Town, complementing the traditional Old Town offering and ensuring we have a thriving and vibrant area during August, welcoming residents and visitors to our wonderful city centre.” 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society launches revamped 2022 Street Events

This year’s celebration of street performance will feature new locations across the city centre, supported by a new Street Performer Charter, and partnership with TikTok

Today, 22 June, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to launch a revamped and expanded street events offering for 2022, in the festival’s 75th anniversary year.

In addition to the long-established performance areas on the Royal Mile and the Mound Precinct, this year’s street events will also take place at new locations in East Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew Square, Multrees Walk, and Cathedral Square outside St James Quarter.

Visitors to the street events will be able to follow a route taking in each of the performance sites following a map within the official printed Fringe programme. The street events will be delivered by Unique Events, who are managing the programme on behalf of the Fringe Society, for the second year.

The return of the street events programme is being supported by EventScotland (part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate), and Creative Scotland, and the launch follows last week’s announcement of the Fringe Society’s new partnership with TikTok, which supports the expanded street events programme.

With activation planned across these sites, TikTok will provide a ‘taster stage’ in both St Andrew Square and Cathedral Square, where artists from registered Fringe shows can perform short snippets of their shows, giving festivalgoers a free taste of their performance.

TikTok will live stream from these stages, enabling artists to be found by digital audiences from around the world. On the Royal Mile, two new screens will stream the TikTok content, and will also be available free to registered artists to promote their show digitally, via digital posters on the screens.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society, said: “We are excited to reveal our new and expanded plans for this year’s Street Events, one of the most visible aspects of the Fringe, enjoyed by audiences every year. The new route will allow audiences to meander through Edinburgh’s majestic Old Town and New Town, while enjoying artists in different locations.”

As part of today’s launch, the Fringe Society has also published the Street Performer Charter, a set of values shared by the Fringe Society and the street performing community, as represented by the Street Performers’ Council.

The Charter, which includes commitments from the Fringe Society and street performers, will facilitate fair, open decision making between the two groups. Among its various commitments, the Charter works towards increasing accessibility of street events, taking social responsibility for pay, sustainability goals, and improving health, safety and mental wellbeing among street performers.

Shona McCarthy continued: “I’m incredibly pleased to see the publication of the new Street Events Charter, developed in collaboration with the Fringe Society, and the street performer community.

“The Fringe and street events are within each other’s DNA and part of the cultural heritage of beautiful Edinburgh. This collective step establishes a great template to work more collaboratively at ensuring the Fringe is the best possible version of itself for the next 75 years, both for artists and residents.”

A spokesperson for the street performing community said: “The street performer charter marks a new chapter in what we anticipate will be an artist-led street festival for the people of Edinburgh and its many visitors to enjoy.

“We are excited to be working with the Fringe and their partners, to keep alive the long history of street performance that is at the heart of the Edinburgh Fringe, as we celebrate 75 years.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “As one of Scotland’s most recognisable cultural assets, EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the return of the Fringe street events. It is an integral part of the festival, providing audiences with the chance to connect with performances and get a taste of the Fringe for free.

“Scotland is one of the best places in the world to experience events, and after the challenges of the last two years, now is the time to plan and enjoy experiences like the street events that stir the emotions and elevate your mood.”

James Stafford, Head of Partnerships & Community at TikTok, said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is a unique moment that brings together emerging artists in a celebration of creativity.

“Our partnership places TikTok’s global community at the heart of the iconic festival, and celebrates our joint belief that creativity is for everyone. TikTok is the home of entertainment and creativity and I know our community will welcome the opportunity to discover new artists, collaborate, and be inspired.”

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “St James Quarter is a welcoming cultural and lifestyle hub for art, culture and fashion and we’re passionate about supporting Edinburgh’s world-renowned cultural offering and its vibrant events calendar.

“It’s a privilege to be working with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and we look forward to hosting some of the amazing street events on Cathedral Square.”