How to Enjoy a Family Friendly Fringe

16th August 2017

Here are our tips to make this year’s Fringe even more family friendly.

Experience the biggest and boldest celebration of arts and culture on the planet at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (4-24 August). With 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows in 294 venues in 2017 there are thousands of reasons to visit – here are our tips to make this year’s Fringe even more family friendly.

 

Get there for less

With the Family & Friends Railcard there’s no excuse to miss out on the action. Live in the moment for less with a third off rail travel for adults and up to 60% off for kids aged 5-15. With under 5s travelling for free, those with kids aged 5 and below can still save when two adults travel together with the Two Together Railcard.

Get tickets from London to Edinburgh from £35.30*. To find out how much you can save on your journey to Edinburgh in our Journey Planner

 

Time to Save

As well as making big savings on your rail travel, there are plenty of free shows on offer during the festival, not to mention all the discounted tickets and 2 for 1 ticket deals available. If you want to explore without too much of a plan, pop into the Virgin Money Half-Price Hut during the festival to access special ticket offers for that day.

 

Must see family shows

When you arrive, being map savvy is a must. Look out for interactive venue maps which helps to guide visitors around, or pick up a paper map from all Fringe box offices and ticket collection points, as well as sites across the city. If you haven’t already planned your visit, we have rounded up five family favourites for children of all ages – dates and further booking information can be found within the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.

 

The Amazing Bubble Man – Louis Pearl

(Underbelly, George Square, EH8 9LH)

Witness spellbinding bubble tricks performed by Louis, who has become a Fringe favourite. His charming show, designed for every age, is sure to leave you and your family awe-struck. Get in there quickly, as this show sells out every year! Find out more here.

 

Light Puppet Show – Nikolai Zykov Theatre (Russia)

(C, Chambers Street, EH1 1HR)

A beautiful and mesmerising show which incorporates unique marionettes, giant, rod, hand and experimental puppets. Together with eye-catching electro-luminous objects, this performance guarantees to entertain. Find out more here.

 

Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble

(C South, St Peter's, Lutton Place, EH8 9PE (gardens))

It’s never too early to introduce your little ones to the works of William Shakespeare. During this show, they can meet the man himself together with his fabulous friends who bring Shakespeare’s original language to life. Find out more here.

 

Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show

(Gilded Balloon at the Museum, Lothian Street, EH1 1HB (Auditorium))

It’s time to don your lab coats and learn more about the magical properties of matter with the Science Guy. Be prepared to see exploding elephant's toothpaste, vortex dustbins, growling jelly babies and flying toilet paper! Find out more here.

 

David Walliams' The First Hippo on the Moon

(Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, EH8 9TJ (Pleasance Beyond))

Dive into the wondrous world of Walliams as his engaging book comes to life on stage. This performance is worthy of many laugh out loud moments as two big hippos embark on one enormous dream, but who can make it to the moon first? Find out more here.

 

To find out more about how you can save when traveling by rail check out these:

Family & Friends Railcard 

Two Together Railcard 

Explore more 2for1 offers