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Who to go see at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019

The celebrations of arts once again takes over the Scottish capital.

Comedy Guide

2019 marks the 72nd outing for the world renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The event sees some of the best performance artists, new and emerging, take to the Scottish capital for a celebratory display of their craft. The city welcomes talent across music, theatre, spoken word and art, with the Fringe perhaps most famous for its deluge of comedy talent.

As in previous years, the latest Edinburgh Festival Fringe outing welcomes some of the biggest names in comedy, giving their new material a trial run. The heavy hitters sit next to festival favourites, as well as a plethora of new talent making their long-awaited Edinburgh debuts. Each take to one (or more) of hundreds of venues across the city, transporting audiences into a truly unique world.

Last year saw over 30,000 performers descend on Edinburgh from over 60 countries. It even ranks third in the world for ticketed events, behind the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

With so much to see and do, Ticketmaster are once again on hand to find some of the best and brightest.

Remember to check back regularly for our discoveries and hot tips.

To get us started, here are some of our favourites offering their tips to surviving the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Ultimate Edinburgh Festival Fringe Survival Guide | Ticketmaster UK

Rhod Gilbert
When: 14 – 25 August 2019
Where: ICC, Edinburgh
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Welsh funnyman Rhod Gilbert brings his brand new The Book of John tour to Edinburgh. His first tour in almost 7 shows, expect hilarious musings on modern life from the star of Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience. 

Rhod Gilbert Live At The Apollo


Massaoke – A Night at the Musicals 
When: 16 – 17 August 2019
Where: Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
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The live band matinee sing along comes to Edinburgh. With the words projected on a giant screen, the family-friendly matinee will see songs from musicals such as Frozen and The Jungle Book performed, whilst the evening shows will feature songs from MAMMA MIA!, Grease, The Phantom of the Opera and more.


Celeste Barber 
When: 3 August 2019
Where: EICC, Edinburgh
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Described as “the funniest woman on Instagram”, comedian Celeste Barber brings her live show to Edinburgh for one-night-only. She’ll be discussing the stories behind her most famous images and her newfound relationships with celebrities.

Celeste Barber on Recreating Celebrity Instagram Pics


Craig Ferguson
When: 11 August 2019
Where: Playhouse, Edinburgh
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Scottish-American comedian Craig Ferguson comes to Edinburgh with his new stand up show Hobo Fabulous. The one-off gig will mark the first time the former host of The Late Late Show has performed stand up comedy in the UK for 25 years.

Craig Ferguson Teaches Scottish Slang to Jay Baruchel | Vanity Fair


Foil Arms and Hog – Swines 
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristol Square – McEwan Hall

After sold out Fringe shows from 2009-2018, Foils Arms and Hog return to Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall with their brand new show Swines. Expect an hour filled to the brim with hilarious fast-paced comedy.

One Man Play - Live Sketch Comedy


Joel Dommett: Work in Progress
When: 18 – 24 August 2019
Where: Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market

The stand up comedian and TV presenter returns to Fringe, offering fans the opportunity to watch him fine-tune new material.

Joel Dommett - Comedy Central at the Comedy Store


Al Murray 
When: 2 – 11 August 2019
Where: Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete
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Britain’s beloved pub landlord brings his new show Landlord of Hope and Glory to Edinburgh. Join Al as he marvels at the majesty of our green and pleasant land, renowned for our culture, history and places, such as Salisbury Cathedral.


Rose Matafeo: Horndog 
When: 20 – 24 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Pleasence Beyond

2018’s Edinburgh Comedy Award winner returns for one week only. The comic will be examing the subject of horniness. Something she’s more than qualified for, having snogged nearly 10 men in her life.

Rose Matafeo - Upfront 2018

Nish Kumar 
When: 19 – 25 August 2019
Where: Assembly George Square – Gordon Aikman Theatre

The host of The Mash Report brings his new show It’s in Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves to the Gordon Aikman Theatre for one week only. The show’s title is a quote from Terminator 2 and will feature Kumar’s signature brand of political humour.

Nish Kumar: Thank You For Electing Trump | CONAN on TBS


John Robins
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Pleasence One
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2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner John Robins brings his new stand up show Hot Shame to the Scottish capital. The new show is the sequel to his sell out smash The Darkness of Robins, and will be touring venues across the UK later this year.

John Robins Doesn't Want Any More Friends | Comedy Central At The Comedy Store


Catherine Bohart 
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Upstairs

After making her debut last year, Catherine Bohart returns to Fringe with her new stand up show Lemon. The comic is out to smash stereotypes around sex, sexuality and relationships.

Catherine Bohart: Fast Fringe


Lucy Porter
When: 31 July – 17 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Cabaret Bar

Fringe favourite Lucy Porter returns in 2019 for a limited run of her new show Be Prepared. At Brownies, Lucy thought she’d be prepared for anything as long as she had 10p for a phone box and knew how to tie a fisherman’s knot. As it turns out, life is slightly more complicated.

Edinburgh and Beyond - Lucy Porter


Kiri Pritchard-Mclean 
When: 31 July – 13 August 2019
Where: Monkey Barrell Comedy

After picking up the Best MC and Best Club Comedian gongs at the 2018 Chortle Awards, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean will be testing out new material for a limited run at this year’s Fringe.

Kiri Pritchard McLean's Wax On Wax Off | Comedy Central Live


Michael Odewale
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Bunker Two

The fast-rising star is making a name for himself with sharp, slick and well-executed stand up. Michael took home the prestigious Best New Show Award at the Leicester Comedy Festival earlier this year.

How To Be Economical Whilst Looking For Love | Michael Odewale | Chris Ramsey's Stand Up Central


Troye Hawke
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter

1930s throwback comedic investigator Troy Hawke returns after a sell out run last year, which saw him expose bingo as the country’s deadliest sport.

POSH ENGLISH GENT TURNS BOGAN


Nick Helm: Phoenix from the Flames
When: 31 July – 24 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Dome – QueenDome

After six years away, Nick Helm returns to Fringe! The two time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee will be previewing his Phenoix from the Flames tour before he takes it around the country later this year.

Nick Helm On stand up central


Tom Parry: PARRYOKE 
When: 31 July – 26 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Beside

The 2015 Best Newcomer nominee is back to celebrate life, love and going tops off! There may even be a bit of karaoke thrown in for good measure.

Tom Parry - Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast #115


Jess Robinson
When: 1 – 24 August 2019
Where: Assembly Rooms – Bijou

The award-winning Fringe favourite returns with a brand new live show and her brilliant live band. Expect impressions of everyone from Cardi B to Lady Gaga.

Jess Robinson gets the party started with her impressions | Semi-Final 5 | Britain’s Got Talent 2017


Dan Soder
When: 31 July – 26 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristo Square – The Dairy Room

The popular US comedian is bringing his brand new Son Of A Gary show to Fringe and he’s promising to address the burning questions that most mid-30-year-olds have. Should he have kids? Is wanting to be liked a bad thing? And are police dogs on your side?

Dan Soder: “I Thought I Was Possessed by the Devil”


Sean Patton
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Balcony

After his triumphant debut in 2017, US comedian and actor Sean Patton returns to Fringe this summer. He’ll be bringing his new show Contradickhead to Edinburgh, promising to show fans who he really is.

Sean Patton Will Let His Dog Name Itself


Emmy Blotnick 
When: 31 July – 26 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Buttercup

New York comedian and writer Emmy Blotnick brings her show Party Nights to Fringe. Emmy has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and CONAN. 

Emmy Blotnick Is Done With Comic Book Movies | CONAN on TBS


Mark Nelson 
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsmans

The award-winning stand up and host of the BBC Radio smash hit The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected brings his new show Brexit Wounds to Fringe.

A Scottish 2 year old's take on the news...


Stewart Francis 
When: 1 August – 25 August 2019
Where: Assembly Rooms – Ballroom

The Canadian king of puns brings his last ever tour to Fringe. See him perform one last time before he rides off… Into the punset.

Stewart Francis - My Dad Loves Alex Trebek More Than Me


Joe Zimmerman  
When: 13 August 2019
Where: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrell 1

New Yorker Joe Zimmerman brings his new show Infinite Knowledge to Fringe, where he promises to provide the audience with the meaning of life.

Joe Zimmerman Stand-Up


Tiff Stevenson   
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrell 3

Following her hugely successful 2017 show Bombshell, Fringe favourite Tiff Stevenson brings her new show Mother to Edinburgh. Stevenson is a regular on Mock The Week and has also appeared on People Just Do Nothing and The Bugle. 

Tiff Stevenson | Comedic Performance


Rachel Fairburn 
When: 31 July – 25 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter

Taking on the mantel of ‘The People’s Princess’, Mancunian Rachel Fairburn brings her new show to Fringe. The comic is one half of the popular All Killa No Filla podcast.

Rachel Fairburn: Fast Fringe


Liza Treyger
When: 31 July – 26 August 2019
Where: Underbelly, Bristo Square – Buttercup

Fresh from her Netflix special, the New York-based comic comes to Fringe with her new show In the Weeds.

Liza Treyger: “I Do Not Buy Gifts for Babies”


Jamie Loftus
When: 31 July – 26 August 2019
Where: Pleasence Courtyard – Baby Grand

The LA based comic who writes for the Adult Swim series Robot Chicken makes her Fringe debut. Jamie has opened for Maria Bamford and Kumail Nanjiani.

Jamie Loftus - Sex Symbol to the Haunted House Community

As more of our favourites are added to this page, check out our Comedy Guide for much more.