Annually held in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Edinburgh Event Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world. It takes place in August for three weeks with a number of other festivals, such as the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and is an open-access festival, meaning anybody can play and participate.
The Fringe originated in 1947 as an alternative to the more formal Edinburgh International Festival, which was focused on classical music, theater, and opera. Today, the Fringe features a wide variety of performances, including comedy, theater, dance, circus, cabaret, and music.
The Fringe takes place all around the city in a variety of venues, including traditional theaters, concert halls, and outdoor settings, as well as less traditional places like bars, clubs, and even gardens. Over 4.8 million people attend the festival annually, and nearly 22,000 international artists participate in over 55,000 performances.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is renowned for its wide variety of performances as well as its laid-back and informal environment. It provides an opportunity for artists to present their work to a big audience and has served as the springboard for the careers of numerous well-known comedians, actors, and entertainers.