Edinburgh Festival Guide

An immersive guide for Sahara’s curious, cultured woman

Each August, the entirety of Edinburgh transforms into an open‑air stage. From Georgian terraces to mediaeval closes and leafy New Town gardens, the city becomes alive with performance, conversation, and possibility. This year, from 1 to 25 August, over 3,000 shows across more than 250 venues await. And what better way to experience it than with curiosity, comfort, and a little insider knowledge? This is our guide to doing the Edinburgh Fringe the right way.

A storied beginning

The Fringe began quietly in 1947, when eight theatre companies showed up uninvited to perform alongside the newly established Edinburgh International Festival. Their gesture of independence was the beginning of something extraordinary.

By 1958, the Fringe Society had formed to support the ever-growing number of performers. To this day, the Society operates with a rare openness. Anyone can perform. No invitations. No selection process. Just space, support, and the possibility of being seen.

Now, more than three thousand shows will unfold across the city between 1 and 25 August. In theatres, pubs, gardens, stairwells, churches, and sometimes on buses. From household names to first-timers, each performance shares a common thread: it exists because someone believed it mattered.

What to see

The Royal Mile is the festival’s beating heart. From circus troupes and fire-breathers to whispered monologues delivered from stone steps, the streets of the Old Town are alive with possibility.

For ticketed shows, this year’s standouts include:

Desiree Burch with The Golden Wrath
Fierce, funny, and full of righteous energy. A show that speaks boldly to womanhood and anger.

Urooj Ashfaq in How to Be a Baddie
Witty, clever, and culturally sharp. Her debut has already been described as unmissable.

Sooz Kempner in Y2K Woman
A pop-culture time capsule meets powerhouse stand-up. Nostalgia, sparkle, and smart laughs in equal measure.

     There’s also a wave of first-time performers to watch. Molly McGuinness brings warmth and wit in Slob, sharing a deeply personal story of recovery with open-hearted humour. Jessica Barton blends music and clowning in Dirty Work, exploring gender, mess, and reinvention. And Kathy Maniura is gaining buzz for The Cycling Man, a one-woman drag king satire that’s equal parts absurd and razor-edged. These acts represent a rich tapestry of female performance, full of bold stories, communal laughter, and cathartic truths. They press emotional buttons while giving centre stage to women’s perspectives. Seek them out.

Where to eat and pause

Festival days are long, so nourishing stops matter. Amidst it all, there are places to slow down and refuel. Here are our favourites for something delicious and distinctly Edinburgh.

Wellington Coffee
Beneath George Street, this compact café is a local secret. Rich espresso, just-baked scones and the perfect first stop of the day.

Contini Valvona & Crolla
An Italian deli with deep Scottish roots. Handmade arancini, delicate salads and the kind of tiramisu you never forget.

Yamato
Sleek, calm, and known for flawless Japanese dishes. Think wagyu, sashimi and sake served in refined simplicity.

Timberyard
A destination in itself. This family-run restaurant crafts seasonal tasting menus in a former warehouse setting. One for a quiet, special evening.

Mary’s Milk Bar
Gelato made daily in the Grassmarket. Flavours range from the nostalgic to the wild with rose milk, gorgonzola and honey, or her famous spaghetti sundae.

Panda & Sons
Tucked behind the disguise of a barbershop, this hidden cocktail bar is pure theatre. Step inside for low-lit glamour and inventive drinks.

What to explore

Beyond the venues and queues, the city offers its own quiet performances. Calton Hill gives you a full sweep of the skyline and a breath of cool air. Down at The Fruitmarket Gallery, changing exhibitions bring a fresh perspective to contemporary art.

If you need a change of pace, The Royal Scottish Academy will host a major exhibition of work by Andy Goldsworthy from 26 July. His slow, sculptural pieces made from stone, water and earth feel almost meditative. A grounding contrast to the buzz of the streets.

• Edinburgh tram and Ridacard bus access expand your horizon—travel to Leith or secret beach spots like Cramond with ease.
• Keep the Fringe app for bookings, last-minute deals, and discovering Free Fringe events.

Where to stay

If you’re making a weekend of it, book somewhere that feels like a retreat from the noise.

Eden Locke
Soft colour palettes, considered design, and fully equipped rooms just minutes from the action.

21212
Boutique charm in a Georgian townhouse. A well-known restaurant downstairs means you never have to go far for something beautiful to eat.

The Witchery
Rich velvet interiors, candlelight, and indulgence. Dramatic, romantic, and a Fringe favourite for good reason.

Stop by Sahara

Amidst the Fringe bustle, find a pause at Sahara Edinburgh, just steps from George Street. We’ve curated this season’s collection for movement, warmth and shine with textured linens, sculptural accessories, and flowing silhouettes that complement your day or evening.

Make it your ritual: show‑time style begins at Sahara with an expert hand‑picked outfit, followed by a relaxed latte or cocktail, an experience built for feeling poised, grounded, and inspired.

Final thoughts

The Fringe is not something to plan rigidly. It is something to feel your way through. Follow a flyer. Stop for a moment of music in a courtyard. See the show you’ve never heard of.

Make space for the unexpected. Especially when it comes from women telling their stories on stage. They’re often funny, sometimes tender, always brave. Their voices are what the Fringe is really about.

Dress for yourself. Walk everywhere and anywhere. Eat something scrumptious. Laugh from your belly. Come visit us on Frederick Street.