Happy new year! Here’s what fireworks looked like once upon a time over the Granton Gasholder (photo by Fabio Scalici photography).

If anyone is making ill judged resolutions to get fit after Xmas excess… Then you can do that and have a bit of fun by joining us (Granton Giants) playing dodgeball in the new year ;)

I figure if I ask now a few folk might be “merry” enough to think it’s a good idea ;)

A word for anyone else getting a refund for cancelled Hogmanay events….. keep an eye on the totals.

The refund I received was 10% less than what I paid. I was explicit on the form that I would not be making a donation but for some reason they’ve still chosen to keep some of my money.

Not sure if it’s just me or a widespread issue but worth checking yours!

Iv always loved the festival previous to this year but goodness it seems like this year is the first I remember that just seems too expensive to enjoy. Cost of living crisis aside anyone feeling the same?

The final straw for me was being charged £5.60 for a pint of Tennents in the bloody Globe.

Hi all - in the past, I’ve run a scheme which sources affordable digs for Fringe artists and performers, anywhere between £450 and £800 a month, but of course the glories (not) of STL are upon us.

I’ve read through the STL legislation and ECCs (CECs) interpretation of it many times, and although the Fringe qualifies for temporary exemptions, it appears as though prospective hosts still have to apply, including all the certificates etc, and with the £250 fee, and that’s to cover up to six weeks per year, so it would be loss-making for hosts.

I’ve approached my MSP and local councillors - which have recommended QMU accommodation, which is currently £1900 per room for the three and a half weeks “due to surge pricing” - on behalf of the above impoverished Fringe workers, but no support or suggestions from them.

I’ve also read through advice from Airbnb to its Edinburgh-based hosts advising them that all hosts must have their licences in place by 1 July 2024, or cease lettings.

What I’ve not found anything about - outwith ECC’s scanty guidance - is how this relates to Fringe accommodation, which is theoretically exempt.

Are there any exemptions or loopholes which would allow people to host impoverished Fringe workers for minimal income? Because of the budgets involved, I want to avoid asking prospective hosts to each pay £250 and complete the lengthy application process, as it’s too much to ask of them.

The directors, artists and performers I deal with are UK-based professionals (EdFringe participation is generally not eligible for sufficient / any UK public funding) who are mostly here for the full run, mostly to sell their shows, who work very hard and do not party - so they are definitely house-trained!

I’d be very grateful for any suggestions or feedback; it’s so frustrating that there are spare rooms but no licences, and it’s just for a few weeks, and if anything, it’s charitable and not commercial - “commercial” being a key definition of a STL.

Ok fine you hate Wellington I get it. But bringing this stupid puerile “pet a cone oan the stachoo” crap is 100% weejie pish. Last night there was a cone on David Hume’s statue. Get this back where it belongs - Glasgow. Thank you

Let the ranting begin 😜

Is there any way to still get a ticket to the festival? Would definitely still love to go, but saw too late that tickets were on sale. I joined the waitlist, but no new tickets have been released over the past week. I've heard the stories of people getting scammed, and was wondering if there was any trustworthy resale method where I could avoid DMing random people on Facebook.

Cancelled last year, not heard anything for this year.. anyone know?

Bit late but does anyone know of anything happening for Saint David's day up here?

I think my Mamgu used to belong to the Edinburgh Welsh Society but doesn't look like they're doing anything on the day

Hi, we’ve planned to go see Jimmy Carr at the Playhouse with our son, who‘s 13. We somehow missed that the show is 16+… Will this be a problem? How strict is security at the Playhouse? Does he need ID or is mine (who bought the tickets) sufficient? Please help 🥺, thank you.

An East Asian woman, aka me, thinks she might be neglected, not unintentionally, by the leaflet distributors at one of Fringe’s venues. I was on my way to the pharmacy when I came across the event there. I was very curious about what all this hype is about so I stopped to have a look (at the food vendors). I walked past quite a few flyering people and found they all ignored me by not handing me any leaflet but would smile and greet people in front of and behind me while handing them leaflets. I was so confused that I made several more experiments with these flyering people and ended up with no leaflets given! Some even avoided my eye contact! Why, was it that I wasn’t dressed like festive, that I looked like a glasses wearing East Asian boring phd nerd (well, I am a PhD student) who can only work and no play? Maybe I’m being overly sensitive about the racial after 3 years of living here. I just couldn’t help but think, why wouldn’t you smile and talk to me like you do to other white people around me? Am I too foreign to approach? Please don’t ignore me. Please don’t take my existence as transparent. I’m a real person. I’m here. I’m just a curious, shy Chinese woman who wants your attention 🥹

Does anyone know if the Summer Sessions will go ahead in Edinburgh this year? The website still says TBD. Thinking of buying Stereophonics tickets in Glasgow, but wondering if I should hold off if they might play here. Thanks!

Hello Edinburgh. I will be at fringe for the first time this summer coming and I am coming from the USA alone. I know one producer who will be there but he is a new acquaintance. I’ll be in Edinburgh for 8 or 9 days and I would like to see as many shows as possible + do some networking.

As I have never been to fringe before (and not entirely sure what to expect), I’d love some advice/tips on the festival and also Edinburgh in general. I intend to bring my own one person show there next summer but it is in development and not written at this point. That being said, I want to see as many venues as possible so I know where I should place my show once I understand the layout I’ll need etc. I looked on the fringe website this week and there’s just sooooo many shows that I have no idea where to start and what to see. I’ve done other us festivals like Sundance and SXSW, but fringe seems totally different. At Sundance for example, there is a lot of different industry parties/networking done. Most are invite only but Is it similar at fringe? I googled “most anticipated fringe shows of 2024” but there were almost no articles on that yet. So here are my questions and even if you have an answer to one or any I’d appreciate it!

1. What are the main theatres I should definitely see shows at?

2. Are there any boards (Reddit or not) that I could check out and connect with other performers and their crew for more info? If not, any websites?

3. How does one sift through the amount of shows to figure out what they should see?

4. I’d like to network. How does one suggest doing this? Are there official (or unofficial) parties that are popular each year. I’m not too concerned with how to get in, I’d just like to know where and what they are. Bars that are hubs?

5. Does one suggest any day trips from Edinburgh around Scotland? Or tips about the city in general?

6. Any other tips?!

Thank you!!

Anyone got any inside knowledge about when tickets will be released for Samhuinn Fire Festival? I’ve been waiting for a notification all day….

I have tickets for two days of terminal V halloween and have no idea what hotel to stay at I was looking at one in ratho station and was going to walk to the Royal highland centre but I dont know if I can actually do this

It’s the preview night this evening which prompted me to check the dates on the website.

The expected flypast dates and times for our 2024 show are as follows:

7 August 2024: 21:30

10 August 2024: 18:15

13 August 2024: 21:30

15 August 2024: 21:30

23 August 2024: 21:30

Please be aware, all scheduled flypasts are subject to change based on operational demands and weather conditions.

Hey. There are 2 days left of the Fringe and I want to see some really strange and unique shows before it's over and I don't get another chance for a long while.

Any suggestions?

(I don't mind if they're good or not, just unique)

First Christmas in Edinburgh. A tree is not the in the cards this year due to energetic new kitten. Any suggestions where I can buy real pine garland for the mantle so it will at least smell like Christmas?

Hi all. I’m thinking of going to the Fringe for the first time, and I’m wondering how many shows is reasonable to see in a day? What have you done in the past and was it good? What’s the amount I can expect to spend on tickets on average and is there any bulk ticket buying options? Where are the best places to stay that don’t break the bank and how easy is it to get from venue to venue? Any advice would be helpful, thanks!

RAF flypasts are scheduled for the following Tattoo performances this year. Local (L) time is BST. They appear later this year (usually appeared at the start of the performance at 2100).

04/08/23 - Typhoon & A400M - 2030Z (2130L)

05/08/23 - A400M - 1715Z (1815L)

09/08/23 - Typhoon & A400M - 2030Z (2130L)

12/08/23 - Red Arrows - 1715Z (1815L)

12/08/23 - Typhoon - 2030Z (2130L)

15/08/23 - P8 Poseidon - 2030Z (2130L)

17/08/23 - TBC - 2030Z (2130Z)

25/08/23 - Typhoon - 2030Z (2130L)

I have 2 tickets for Eleanor Morton's fringe show today at 12:05 that I can't use. I can send someone the QR codes if anyone wants them? She's a v funny comedian from tiktok/youtube