Tash Snaith shares her picks of the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
July is nearing it’s end, school holidays are in full swing and heatwave 4.0 is upon us which can only mean, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is about to commence. Providing a jam-packed month full of fantastic comedy, theatre, music, performance; basically, anything your brain can fathom put on a stage and shoved in a costume. From 200-seat theatres to lecture halls, from double decker buses to the literal pavement, nowhere is safe from transforming into a venue. This year, there are yards of fantastically funny female and non-binary acts performing, but in the interest of time, I’ve rounded up a nifty list of ten shows not to be missed.
COMEDY SHOWS
© Elouise Eftos, Charlene Kaye
ELOUISE EFTOS: APHRODITE
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 8:10 PM, 10 Dome, Pleasance Dome
Nominee for Best Newcomer 2025, Elouise Eftos is a dancing, singing force to be reckoned with. Self identified as ‘Australia’s best looking comedian’, Eftos is playfully self indulgent, performing a mile a minute, and wickedly funny.
You can grab your ticket here
Charlene Kaye: diversity shredder
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 8:20 PM, The Den, Gilded Balloon Teviot
Mixing monster guitar-shredding musical talent (as seen in her all female tribute bands ‘Guns N’ Hoses’ and ‘Labiahead’) with witty comedic voice, Charlene Kaye dissects the pop music landscape of today in a comedy-musical whirlwind of a show, with a satirical lens.
You can grab tickets here
© Wally Baram, Harriet Richardson
WALLY BARAM: MY SNAKE’S QUINCEAÑERA
Weds-Fri 19-21 Aug @ 10:50 PM, Ace Dome, Pleasance Dome
Star of Amazon series Overcompensating, Wally Baram brings her comedic talent across the pond for the first time this August, covering the trials and tribulations of coming of age as a Gen-Z, Mexican-Syrian American, with a hot mum.
You can grab your ticket here
HARRIET RICHARDSON: CREEP
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 7:00 PM, Below, Pleasance Courtyard
Amassing viral views from her online art exploring human connection, including hosting a continuous virtual date with 100 people on Valentines Day, to getting a list of her exes’ mothers names tattooed on her torso, Harriet Richardson shares her take on relationships, shame and obsession in her debut show this year.
Grab your tickets here.
© Olga Koch, Sam Nicoresti
olga koch: FAT TOM CRUISE
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 5:30 PM, Forth, Pleasance Courtyard
Melbourne and Edinburgh Award-nominated comedian Olga Koch (Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, Mock the Week) performs a brand new standup hour, and you can expect characteristically self-assured wit, cerebral gags and effortless storytelling.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
SAM NICORESTI: AND FOR MY NEXT TRICK (WIP)
Sat-Tues 15-18 Aug @ 12:45 PM, Monkey Barrel 4, Monkey Barrel
Best Show Award winner at the Fringe last year with hit show Baby Doomer, which saw a subsequent sell-out world tour (…continuing with a few dates at the Fringe this year), Sam Nicoresti is back with a new work in progress show for 4 nights only. Need I say more.
You can grab your ticket here
© Jess Fuchs, Sophie Duker
JESS FUCHS: FERAL
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 6:55 PM, Bunker 2, Pleasance Courtyard
Australian comic Jess Fuchs performs her debut standup hour this year, bringing gags and a vibe of chatting with your bestie, covering topics like boomeranging back to your parents’, chasing your dreams and injuring your coccyx on holiday.
You can grab your ticket here
Sophie Duker: hot beef injection
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 8:30 PM, Forth, Pleasance Courtyard
Sophie Duker (as seen on Live At The Apollo, Taskmaster, House of Games) brings her newest hour of comedy to the Fringe, covering relationships, sex and privilege. You can expect an hour of Duker’s characteristically playful, satirical and ever charismatic stand up.
You can grab a ticket to the show here!
© Maia Tassalini, Siblings
Maia Tassalini: I was 22 and stunning
Weds-Sun 5-30 Aug @ 6:00 PM, Bunker 3, Pleasance Courtyard
Pleasance Comedy Reserve alum Maia Tassalini performs her debut hour, exploring shame and body image in the age of internet trolls, by looking at Monica Lewinsky and asking, ‘is there anything more cursed than being 22 and stunning?’
You can grab your ticket here
SIBLINGS AND FAMILY FRIENDS
Weds 12 Aug @ 11:55 PM, Monkery Barrel 4, Monkey Barrel Comedy
Critically acclaimed sketch double act Siblings are back this year, hosting a wild variety night of performers for one night only. Blending clowning, sketch, drag and dance, you can expect some raucous fun. Comprised of actual siblings Maddy and Marina Bye, who have four sell-out Fringe runs under their belts.
You can grab your ticket here
All images and copyright owned by: Elouise Eftos, Charlene Kaye, Wally Baram, Harriet Richardson, Olga Koch, Sam Nicoresti, Jess Fuchs, Sophie Duker, Maia Tassalini and Siblings.
