Eleven days, 209 shows, nothing over $20. North America's oldest and largest Fringe is unjuried and uncensored — shows are picked by lottery, artists set their own prices, and performers keep every dollar they earn. That's 1,300+ performances of drama, musical theatre, improv, comedy, and things that resist categorization entirely, packed into eleven days in Old Strathcona.
The grounds are free to roam: street performers, patios, food and artisan vendors, and live music nightly at ATB Park. KidsFringe runs performances, workshops, and crafts for the 12-and-under crowd. And pêhonân — the free Indigenous gathering space at the Community of Tipis, on the greenspace south of Strathcona Community League — brings stories and workshops from Treaty 6 and Métis artists.
Two dates for your phone. Printed Festival Guides go on sale July 29: 152 pages, and genuinely worth having in hand when you're deciding between four shows in the same hour. Tickets and passes go on sale Wednesday, August 5 — 10 AM in person at the Arts Barns box office (10330 84 Ave) or EAC Shop & Services (9930 102 Ave), noon online and by phone. The word-of-mouth hits sell out by the first weekend. Buy your anchors early, then leave room to take a chance on something you've never heard of.