Durham Fringe Festival runs from July 29th- 2nd August 2026
Visit the Durham Fringe Festival web site. You will find 133 events listed, with 36 theatre shows included.
Browse the programme.
Find a venue.
Join them on Facebook. Follow the Fringe on X (formerly Twitter). View them on Instagram.
Durham Fringe is one of the UK’s youngest fringe festivals. “Durham Fringe Festival is a genuinely grassroots initiative. The festival was set up in 2021 by a group of friends, living and working in the North-East, who love Fringe Festivals and had a collective dream to grow a festival in their home city of Durham.”
Early theatre choices at Durham Fringe
I have been going to Durham Fringe for a few years now. I actually performed my solo show there. It is a very human-sized and welcoming fringe, with venues located within walking distance of each other around a vibrant hub up on the green between the castle and the Cathedral.It is an affordable fringe, and there’s a good mix of local, national and even a bit of international work. Like many new fringe festivals there is always attention between growing and keeping that original Human scale founding Impulse. With over 100 shows there was enough variety to satisfy different tastes, but also a scale that ensures that everybody putting on the show can get an audience.
Paul Levy, FringeReview
“Our contribution to the local arts scene has led us to identify an urgent need for year-round support for performing arts professionals in Durham, the North East, and indeed further afield. Many talented people want to bring live performance to the stage, but face barriers — from finding affordable rehearsal space and technical know-how, to understanding funding, marketing, and production. The Durham Fringe Academy (DFA) is our answer: a practical, inclusive and welcoming hub where artists, producers and technicians can learn, make, and thrive. Durham Fringe Academy is multifaceted, with an online provision that is complemented by in-person activities.”
Find out more here
More previews to come so check back regularly.
