Header Image

Free Festival Shows

Have a look through our selection of shows... we are sure to have something you'll want to see in Edinburgh this August - from children's shows to cabaret; standup comedy to tragic drama. There's something for everyone at the Free Festival!


List Shows: By Name | By Start Time


Shows sorted by Start Time

12:00

ComedySportz Online!

ComedySportz Online!

Comedy

ComedySportz Online!

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - YouTube Streaming
AUG 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 at 12:30 (60 min) - FREE YOUTUBE STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

You've seen Football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen comedy as a sport? ComedySportz goes for gold with competitive improvised comedy that is fast, fun and family friendly. Two teams go toe to toe (sort of) with quick-witted gags, games, sketches and songs inspired by audience suggestions. There’s a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. Who wins? You decide! ComedySportz UK has been entertaining audiences of all ages since 2001 and will be joined by players from ComedySportz teams worldwide during the festival. Fans of shows like...


Julienning with Robyn

Julienning with Robyn

Comedy

Julienning with Robyn

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 22, 29 at 12:30 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Do

NEXT SHOW - SATURDAY 29th With Guests MATT PRICE and DAVE CHAWNER Comedian Robyn Perkins loves to cook. A lot! One might say she is obsessed. Cook along in this real-time cooking show, where Robyn takes you step by step to create a delicious, and hilarious, lunch. Sounds intimidating? You aren't alone because comedians Dave Chawner & Matt Price are also following along in their kitchens. Will it be a cooking disaster or sensational success?! We don’t know but it will be funny! Streamed Live on FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and TWITCH: https://www.facebook.com/freefringefes...


14:00

Show Up, Kids! Online LIVE!

Show Up, Kids! Online LIVE!

Childrens

Show Up, Kids! Online LIVE!

Childrens

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 8, 15 at 14:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Kids from all over the world will feel like they're a part of this groundbreaking interactive live event as they hear their names, offer story suggestions, and are called on to help NYC-based Pete put on a real live show. This interactive, semi-improvised, family show for kids 3-10 years old puts a wildly comedic twist on the traditional kids' show. When the main attraction doesn't show up, Pete enlists the kids at home to help create a story and control everything from plot to props, characters to costumes, and settings to sound in a one-of-a-kind, 50-minute laughfest....


17:00

Nathan Cassidy: Observational - THE ONLY LIVE SHOW AT THIS YEARS EDINBURGH FRINGE

Nathan Cassidy: Observational - THE ONLY LIVE SHOW AT THIS YEARS EDINBURGH FRINGE

Comedy

Nathan Cassidy: Observational - THE ONLY LIVE SHOW AT THIS YEARS EDINBURGH FRINGE

Comedy

The Free Sisters / The Courtyard
AUG 24 at 17:00 (60 min) - FREE - LIVE SHOW IN EDINBURGH

With the changes to Phase Three Lockdown in Scotland, Live Outdoor gigs can resume from August the 24th with physical distancing, hygiene and restricted numbers. To mark this change there will be one live show as part of The Free Festival's otherwise online Edinburgh Fringe 2020 Programme on Monday 24th, live in the Three Sisters Courtyard on Cowgate. Nathan Cassidy: Observational The Three Sisters Courtyard, Cowgate Monday August 24th, 5pm-6pm FREE (donations after the show) A Free Festival stalwart, Nathan is a Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee 2020 and Buxton Fringe B...


18:00

Stealth Aspies: The Show (Recorded June 2019)

Stealth Aspies: The Show (Recorded June 2019)

Theatre

Stealth Aspies: The Show (Recorded June 2019)

Theatre

Laughing Horse Online / Watch Any Time - Recorded Shows
AUG 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 at 18:00 (60 min) - FREE YOUTUBE STREAM (Recorded Not Live)

The Stealth Aspies theatre company of entirely autistic adults was started in April 2017 when Paul Wady and Alain English met Sarah Saeed and Hannah Yahya - Hassan at the first Autism Arts Festival in Kent University. Annette Foster sadly had to drop out of the project due to other commitments. We were joined by Emma Faye and Chris Pike in one Edinburgh run. Janine Booth joined in 2017 and a good job too. The company performed at the Edinburgh Fringe that year in the Bar 50 venue and played the next two festivals, as well as Brighton fringe where they were very well received. This sho...


Democracy Sucks

Democracy Sucks

Theatre

Democracy Sucks

Theatre

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - YouTube Streaming
AUG 24-30 at 18:30 (40 min) - FREE YOUTUBE STREAM (Recorded Not Live)

Professor B. has been giving the same crazed lecture to his online class for the entire semester, complete with wine and expletives. It’s the last class of the term, and his job is on the line. Will the dance number and a desperate plea for help save his job? From the same team to deliver the five-star EdFringe hit “Made For Each Other”, & recorded in socially distanced Brooklyn, New York!...


19:00

ComedySportz Online!

ComedySportz Online!

Comedy

ComedySportz Online!

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - YouTube Streaming
AUG 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 at 19:00 (60 min) - FREE YOUTUBE STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

You've seen Football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen comedy as a sport? ComedySportz goes for gold with competitive improvised comedy that is fast, fun and family friendly. Two teams go toe to toe (sort of) with quick-witted gags, games, sketches and songs inspired by audience suggestions. There’s a referee on hand to ensure a good clean match with penalties for bad behaviour and bad jokes. Who wins? You decide! ComedySportz UK has been entertaining audiences of all ages since 2001 and will be joined by players from ComedySportz teams worldwide during the festival. Fans of shows like...


20:00

Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Clean jokes in 30 minutes - Free Entry

Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Clean jokes in 30 minutes - Free Entry

Comedy

Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Clean jokes in 30 minutes - Free Entry

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 20 at 20:00 (30 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

Award-winning gag merchant and UK Pun Champion 2016, Joke of the fringe winner 2016 Masai Graham, delivers over 100 clean jokes in just half an hour. Expect puns, one-liners and wordplay in this 3.3 laughs-per-minute bonanza. 'Annoyingly good' (Gary Delaney, Mock the Week). 'Flashes of proper genius' (Chortle.co.uk). ...



Andy Quirk: Parodies from the Peak District

Andy Quirk: Parodies from the Peak District

Comedy

Andy Quirk: Parodies from the Peak District

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 29 at 20:00 (40 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

A couple of years ago Andy Quirk got married, gave up his day job and moved from London to Glossop on the edge of the Peak District. He then turned 40 and has been adapting to the north, and his impending mid-life crisis, ever since. However, instead of buying a sports car and taking up bungee jumping he's written a show of musical parodies dealing with everything from late night retail excursions to unexpected incidents in farmers' fields. Andy also went unexpectedly “viral” (in a good way) earlier this year, gaining over 70,000 views on Youtube with his Dominic Cummings related parod...


Best In Fringe Comedy and Chat.... With Vladimir McTavish

Best In Fringe Comedy and Chat.... With Vladimir McTavish

Comedy

Best In Fringe Comedy and Chat.... With Vladimir McTavish

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 13 at 20:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

This is usually the perfect guide to what comedy to see at the Fringe - but this year is online for one night only! Host Vladimir McTavish, one of Scotland's finest stand-ups, introduces this hilarious selection of comedians with the very best in stand-up, laughs and chat from three of the Fringe's best comedy performers. The guests are all hand-picked from venues around the Fringe by the show's host, with a selection of the UK's best comics "Superb" ★★★★ (The Scotsman) "Gleefully indulgent. Highly Appealing" ★★★★ (The Guardian) "Sco...


Charmian Hughes: SHE

Charmian Hughes: SHE

Comedy

Charmian Hughes: SHE

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 7 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Revenge is a dish best served burnt! Charmian set out to be a good girl, but finds it’s the bad girls that get remembered! And the baddest of them all is ‘SHE’, ancient vengeful goddess-queen inside everyone! (Special Guest -the Colossal Squid.)...


Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy

Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 16 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

The show that brings interesting science comedy, hilarious (non-science) comedy and great chat. Host Robyn Perkins (Sydney Fringe Comedy Award Winner) starts the show with a science-standup introduction on the topic. Then there are 1-2 (non-science) guest comedians doing a set about the topic, as well as discussing it with Robyn. August 29th delves into: REDHEADS! ...


Diary of an Australian Outback Woman

Diary of an Australian Outback Woman

Spoken Word

Diary of an Australian Outback Woman

Spoken Word

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 30 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

"DIARY OF AN AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK WOMAN" Meet Australian Outback 1940's restaurant owner Sheila and journey through her life with stories, song, bush verse, photographs and mouth watering recipes. Sheila was an Australian town girl who married an outback Australian farmer in the early 1940's. After 40 yrs of cooking for shearers, coping with the harsh outback heat, flies, droughts and floods, Sheila, at the age of 60yrs, opened a successful homestead restaurant. Sheila's dessert trolley, laden with pavlova, creme caramel, mocha chocolate roll, mulberry pie, bowls of chocolate mousse a...


Eliott Simpson: (a)sexy and I know it

Eliott Simpson: (a)sexy and I know it

Comedy

Eliott Simpson: (a)sexy and I know it

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 21 at 20:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

Eliott has never cared for sex. He enjoys doing people as much as he enjoys doing his taxes, yet for all his life it has led to nothing but ridicule. But in peculiarity lies comedy, and Simpson has it in spades. With tales of gender, stakes, queerness and cakes, Simpson aims to widen your eyes to the bizarre life of an asexual man trying to survive in a sex-obsessed world. So come along, keep on your thong, and enjoy the only show completely absent of dick jokes...okay there are some but they’re very intellectual. - “Absurd and Accessible” (The Norwich Radical) - "Weird as f**k" (Janey God...


Entertainer

Entertainer

Comedy

Entertainer

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 24 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

The true story of one man’s ambition to become the greatest holiday park entertainer in England. In a show filled with laughs, music and lots of heart, Adam Morrison Jones (Deal Radio Best New Act 2016 / Giggle Ents Best Comedian 2017) recalls the bumpy road towards his dream. Could he face down family opposition, self-doubt and the occasional not-so-happy camper to become a summer holiday legend?...


Joke Thieves

Joke Thieves

Comedy

Joke Thieves

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 8 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Comedy set swapping live! The cult hit show where comedians perform their own jokes, then each others'. Featuring: Angelos Epithemiou Thanyia Moore Daliso Chaponda Elf Lyons Top five comedy shows of the year (List). Top 10 late nights out at the Fringe (Time Out). Top 25 shows at the Fringe (Comedy.co.uk). Chortle Award winner - Best Club Show London. Featured on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Piloted for BBC2. 'A brilliant format' Guardian 'Spontaneous and anarchic' **** Fest 'A truly electric night' **** Scotsman 'Action-packed and chaotic' **** BroadwayBaby.com 'De...



Laughing Horse Beginners Comedy Course - Graduation Show

Laughing Horse Beginners Comedy Course - Graduation Show

Comedy

Laughing Horse Beginners Comedy Course - Graduation Show

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 17 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Join the latest set of new comedians who have recently graduated from the Laughing Horse's Beginners Comedy course - which has been running online since March. A big selection of laughs from up to 8 new acts, along with host and course tutor Jay Sodagar....


Laughing Horse Pick of the Online Fringe

Laughing Horse Pick of the Online Fringe

Comedy

Laughing Horse Pick of the Online Fringe

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 22 at 20:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

A selection of the very best in stand-up comedy from the Online free Fringe Festival! A succulent smorgasbord of fantastically funny stand-up comedy headliners alongside the best in fresh new talent, with five different comics selected from some of the best acts on the circuit. Sell-out shows at festivals worldwide including Melbourne, Adelaide & Edinburgh.... can it sell out online too?! "If you are looking for a very funny show to sample some of the best British comedy at this year's festival, then definitely head on down to catch this must see show." ★★★★...


Meryl O'Rourke: Vanilla

Meryl O'Rourke: Vanilla

Comedy

Meryl O'Rourke: Vanilla

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 14 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

The New World Order writer questions what her kids are being sold, and if any of it makes sense. Her daughter tobogganing into puberty, Meryl compares her own sexy teens with this age of pop, porn & popcorn; where consent is a hashtag, feminism a t-shirt & looks back on her youth through the lens of MeToo... "A great, funny, chewy hour" Terry Johnson. "Inspiringly funny" Frankie Boyle. "Bold, forthright and (most importantly) very funny" Paul Sinha. ***** British Comedy Guide. ***** New Current. **** Jewish Chronicle. **** The Latest. ...


Nuke It From Orbit: A new comedy sci-fi panel show

Nuke It From Orbit: A new comedy sci-fi panel show

Comedy

Nuke It From Orbit: A new comedy sci-fi panel show

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 27 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

‘Nuke it from Orbit’ is a brand new comedy panel show about all things nerdy. From Marvel to DC, Star Wars to Star Trek even via Stargate. It is a show with various games about various thrones. But don’t panic! This is a show not just for the die-hards but also for those who love their comedy. Two teams of top Northern Irish comedians will battle it out to see who is the geekiest of them all! So join them for competition rounds such as ‘Sci-fi NI’, ‘Stun, Marry, Vaporize’ and the rapid fire round ‘#Spoilers.’ The show was created by Brickworks Comedy Club host Peter E Davidson (The Blame Gam...


Sam See: Jack of the Road

Sam See: Jack of the Road

Comedy

Sam See: Jack of the Road

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 9 at 20:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

Sam See (The Jim Jefferies Show, Stand-Up Asia) brings his brand new hour show to you online! Sam’s been doing comedy for close to a decade, traveling 25 countries and cataloguing every single venue he’s played in, each one with their own tale. Out of his 183 stories, you'll hear 8 of your choice, in a show where no two performances are the same, statistically speaking. Tales of murderous generals, touchy men in toilets, nearly getting sued by Chinese producers and performing in Milan await you from this Jack of the Road....


San Francisco Street Magic - Direct from our flats!

San Francisco Street Magic - Direct from our flats!

Cabaret

San Francisco Street Magic - Direct from our flats!

Cabaret

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 28 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Direct from San Francisco without the crappy airline food! Magic juggling and crazy stunts with Frisco Fred (your host) Chase the Entertainer (charming Magic ), Jonathan Strange (Sideshow stunts), Eric the Great (amazing magic) and Captain Jack (A pirate - for real - no kidding - Aargh!!) ...


Sasha Ellen: Character Building Experience

Sasha Ellen: Character Building Experience

Comedy

Sasha Ellen: Character Building Experience

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 10 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

You enter a tavern. You see a group of comedian questers. What do you do? A Dungeons-and-Dragons-style, comedy, interactive Role Playing Game show, where the audience get to make the decisions about what characters can and can't do. Suitable for the experts, the novices and the uninitiated but curious. No two quests are alike; a unique mini-adventure with improvised music, songs and questionable choices. Why not roll the dice on this comedy...


The Writer with No Hands

The Writer with No Hands

Spoken Word

The Writer with No Hands

Spoken Word

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 23 at 20:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

A 50-minute solo story-telling show based on the critically acclaimed documentary. The Writer with No Hands unveils the never-told true story of Hollywood’s forgotten rebel, Gary Devore, and Dr. Matthew Alford's search for the brutal truth about his fate in a world where everyone lies for a living. 'Everybody loves a murder mystery until they're in one.' ...



Will Mars: The Movie

Will Mars: The Movie

Comedy

Will Mars: The Movie

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 15 at 20:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Television credit to prove I'm funny. Another television credit to prove the first television appearance wasn't a fluke. "Quote about a previous performance." Stars [well known publication]. "Another quote." Stars again [lesser known publication]. I still have over sixty words left but you probably already decided if you're gonna watch the show....


I am Google - Live from Hollywood

I am Google - Live from Hollywood

Comedy

I am Google - Live from Hollywood

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 19 at 20:30 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

Hey, guys! It's me, Google! I'm just a guy with a lot of books, maps, and unopened mail finding answers to your questions 24/7. Come meet me live! Hang out with my friends, Wikipedia, Yahoo, and IMDB, my ex-girlfriend, Twitter, and her new boyfriend, Facebook. Free cookies! No spam. I am searching for you!...


Shoot From The Hip Improv Comedy Livestream!

Shoot From The Hip Improv Comedy Livestream!

Comedy

Shoot From The Hip Improv Comedy Livestream!

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - YouTube Streaming
AUG 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 at 20:30 (60 min) - FREE YOUTUBE STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

Award-winning, side-splitting improv comedy, as recommended by Time Out, Metro, and The Evening Standard. Described as ‘the younger, sexier version’ of ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, Shoot From The Hip shows are completely unscripted, blending witty one-liners and hilarious character comedy with off-the-cuff storytelling. Always new, always unique and always 100% improvised, Shoot From The Hip guarantees a great night of comedy. "Side-splitting quick wit" - The Evening Standard "Well worth a shot (pun intended) - Time Out "Clutching at straws and spinning them into bars of solid gold" - Wha...


Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Naughty jokes in 30 minutes

Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Naughty jokes in 30 minutes

Comedy

Aaaaaaargh it’s 101 Naughty jokes in 30 minutes

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 20 at 20:45 (30 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

Award-winning gag merchant and UK Pun Champion 2016, Joke of the fringe winner 2016 Masai Graham, delivers over 100 naughty jokes in just half an hour. Expect puns, one-liners and wordplay in this 3.3 laughs-per-minute bonanza. 'Annoyingly good' (Gary Delaney, Mock the Week). 'Flashes of proper genius' (Chortle.co.uk). ...


21:00

Comics Solving Problems

Comics Solving Problems

Comedy

Comics Solving Problems

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 11, 13, 18, 25, 27 at 21:00 (45 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

There are loads of problems in the world. The news is full of them. Our lives are full of them. Comedians Steve N Allen and Erich McElroy are here to (try to) help. Steve (as seen on BBC2’s The Mash Report) and Erich (as seen on Good Morning Britain and Sky News) tackle the issues of the day in this topical comedy show from their spare rooms. ...


22:00

Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy

Comedy for the Curious: a stand-up, science chat show

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Zoom Show
AUG 29 at 22:00 (60 min) - PAY WHAT YOU WANT via Zoom (TICKETED)

The show that brings interesting science comedy, hilarious (non-science) comedy and great chat. Host Robyn Perkins (Sydney Fringe Comedy Award Winner) starts the show with a science-standup introduction on the topic. Then there are 1-2 (non-science) guest comedians doing a set about the topic, as well as discussing it with Robyn. August 29th delves into: REDHEADS! ...


Sexpert - Madame K

Sexpert - Madame K

Comedy

Sexpert - Madame K

Comedy

Laughing Horse Online / The Internet - Twitch Streaming
AUG 7-30 at 22:00 (60 min) - FREE TWITCH STREAM (Unticketed/With Donations)

"There's no such thing as a bad dick, just bad men." Sexpert - Madame K! is 50 minutes of ridiculous, anarchic, and unpredictable clowning. This wild solo comedy show features a beautifully idiotic performer discovering what it means to be a 21st Century Feminist. Strenuously working to improve life for all women, Madame K surrounds herself with Coqs she's rescued, reprogramming them to have better manners, and training them to live up to their full potential. Don't worry, in this performance all Coqs are in cages! ***** EdFringe Review ‘Madame Komondor is doing God's work.' Written and Perfor...