Key facts
- Dates
- Friday 31 July to Sunday 9 August 2026
- Location
- North Berwick, mainly Lodge Grounds and around town
- Scale
- 300+ events over 10 days (official 2026 programme launch)
- Good for
- Music, comedy, books, family days, food, makers, film, workshops, wellbeing
- Tickets
- Via Fringe by the Sea
- Free hub
- Lodge Grounds hub open daily 10am–11pm
Details can change. Check the official Fringe by the Sea programme before booking or travelling.
What is Fringe by the Sea?
Fringe by the Sea is North Berwick's annual multi-arts festival: a coastal counterpoint to Edinburgh's August bustle, with music, comedy, conversation, children's theatre, film and food spread across Lodge Grounds and the town centre.
The programme mixes ticketed headline acts with a free daily hub, makers market, Wavelength film strand and Around Town exhibitions. For East Lothian residents it is the county's biggest summer cultural weekend stack: easy to dip into for an afternoon or plan around for the full ten days.
2026 headline names
The 2026 programme is live. Rudimental open the festival on Friday 31 July, with big-name music across the ten days. Highlights below; schedules and availability can change, so confirm on the official programme.
Headline music draws
The names most likely to sell out first, so book early if these are your must-sees.
Rudimental (DJ set)
Arguably the festival’s biggest mainstream draw: chart-topping drum-and-bass stars open the Big Top on Friday 31 July. Fringe bill it as a DJ set, not a full live band show.
Kool & The Gang
Funk and disco legends, with a hits-packed set and one of the most recognisable names on the bill.
Belle & Sebastian
Glasgow indie favourites return for a full-band set on the coastal stage, a signature FBTS booking.
Alex James’ Britpop Classical
Blur’s Alex James brings orchestral Britpop arrangements and a left-field headline that fits the festival’s eclectic mood.
Ticket availability can change. We mark sold-out events where we know about them, but always check the official Fringe by the Sea listing for returns, resale or waitlist options.
Music
Rudimental (DJ set)
One of the strongest names on the bill: Rudimental open the festival at the Big Top on Friday 31 July, officially billed as a DJ set.
Kool & The Gang
Funk and disco legends with a hits-packed set on the main stage.
Belle & Sebastian
Beloved Glasgow indie pop favourites headline with a full-band coastal performance.
Alex James’ Britpop Classical
Blur’s Alex James brings orchestral arrangements of Britpop classics to Lodge Grounds.
Maribou State
Electronic duo Maribou State play Saturday 8 August with their immersive, melodic live show.
Capercaillie
Scottish folk trailblazers Capercaillie perform their distinctive Gaelic-rooted sound.
Bay City Rollers
Sold outScotland’s own pop icons return for a feel-good singalong set.
Check the official site for returns or waitlist options.
Comedy
Lou Sanders
Award-winning comedian Lou Sanders brings sharp, surreal storytelling to the tent.
Russell Howard
One of Britain’s best-loved stand-ups returns with warm, observational material.
Louis Theroux
Sold outDocumentary maker Louis Theroux shares stories from decades behind the camera.
Check the official site for returns or waitlist options.
Ian Hislop
Sold outPrivate Eye editor Ian Hislop offers wit and insight on politics and the press.
Check the official site for resale, returns or waitlist options.
Conversation & books
David Olusoga
Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga explores Britain’s stories and identities.
Ben Fogle
Adventurer Ben Fogle reflects on exploration, resilience and the natural world.
Maggie O’Farrell
Bafta-winning novelist Maggie O’Farrell discusses her acclaimed fiction.
Joseph Coelho
Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho celebrates poetry, stories and young readers.
Family
Artie’s Singing Kettle
Beloved Scottish children’s entertainers with songs, puppets and audience participation.
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Stand-up tailored for young audiences: silly, smart and genuinely funny.
Kevin Quantum
Science-meets-magic shows that keep children and adults equally curious.
Monski Mouse
Baby-friendly disco and dance sessions for the smallest festival-goers.
Best for families
Fringe by the Sea is genuinely family-friendly, with dedicated children's programming alongside shows parents will enjoy too. Worth planning ahead: popular family slots can sell out, and some activities are drop-in while others need tickets.
- Kids Zone: creative play and festival atmosphere in Lodge Grounds.
- Comedy Club 4 Kids: stand-up written for young audiences.
- Artie's Singing Kettle: songs, puppets and participation for younger children.
- Kevin Quantum: science and magic that works across ages.
- Monski Mouse: baby and toddler disco sessions.
- Circus Skills & Big Top shows: acrobatics and family theatre under canvas.
Check times and ticket availability before travelling. Browse family events across East Lothian for more ideas around festival weekend.
Free and low-cost things to look for
Not everything at Fringe by the Sea requires a ticket. These are the main ways to enjoy the festival without booking a show, though individual listings may still charge entry.
- Lodge Grounds hub: free daily drop-in activity, 10am–11pm.
- Kids Zone: free family-friendly sessions where listed.
- Coulters Makers Market: browse ceramics, books, jewellery and homewares (no ticket needed to wander).
- Around Town: exhibitions, open studios and harbour-side activity across North Berwick.
- Open Studios: meet local makers during the festival window.
- Harbour & High Street: atmosphere, street food and busking without a programme ticket.
For ticketed shows marked free in our listings, see free events in East Lothian.
Getting there from East Lothian
North Berwick is well connected by rail and bus, and the festival encourages public transport, especially with town-centre parking restrictions in place from 1 June 2026.
- Train: North Berwick station is a short walk from Lodge Grounds and the High Street (Edinburgh Waverley services).
- Happy Bus: late-night festival services to Haddington (with East Linton High Street drop-off), Dunbar, Edinburgh (via Longniddry and Prestonpans) and Glasgow.
- Local buses: connect surrounding East Lothian towns; plan return journeys if staying for evening shows.
- Parking: town-centre restrictions from 1 June 2026; use official guidance for accessible and peripheral options.
Full travel details: official Getting Here page. Planning a wider trip? See our East Lothian weekend guide.
Wavelength
Wavelength is Fringe by the Sea's film and music-on-screen strand, with screenings with Q&As, film-chat-gigs and concerts paired with cinema. It suits audiences who want something slower-paced than a main-stage gig but still firmly part of the festival mood.
Explore the Wavelength programme
Coulters Makers Market
Coulters Makers Market runs daily 10am–6pm during the festival, showcasing ceramics, paintings, books, jewellery, vintage fabrics and homewares from Scottish makers. It is one of the easiest non-ticketed parts of the weekend, ideal for a browse between shows or a coastal stroll through Lodge Grounds.
Around town
Fringe by the Sea extends beyond Lodge Grounds. The Around Town programme covers the Leuchie Lighthouse Trail, gallery exhibitions, open studios, independent shops and harbour activity. A good way to see North Berwick itself, not just the main stages.
What's On East Lothian event listings
Fringe by the Sea shows we have indexed from the official programme, or browse the full live festival line-up.
No festivals events upcoming
Try this weekend or a nearby town. New listings are added regularly.
We are still indexing the 2026 programme. For the complete line-up and tickets, visit the official Fringe by the Sea website.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Fringe by the Sea 2026?
- Fringe by the Sea 2026 runs from Friday 31 July to Sunday 9 August 2026, ten days of music, comedy, books, film and family programming in North Berwick.
- Where is Fringe by the Sea held?
- Most ticketed shows take place at Lodge Grounds beside the town centre, with additional events in venues around North Berwick and the wider Around Town programme.
- Is there anything free at Fringe by the Sea?
- Yes. The Lodge Grounds hub is open daily from 10am to 11pm with free drop-in activity, and Coulters Makers Market, Around Town trails and harbour-side atmosphere cost nothing to enjoy. Individual shows may still require tickets.
- Is Fringe by the Sea good for families?
- Very much so. The programme includes a Kids Zone, Comedy Club 4 Kids, Artie’s Singing Kettle, circus skills, Big Top family shows and baby-friendly sessions. Check times and book ahead where tickets apply.
- How do I get to Fringe by the Sea from Haddington, Dunbar or Musselburgh?
- North Berwick has a train station on the Edinburgh–North Berwick line and local bus links. During the festival, Happy Bus late-night services run to Haddington (with an East Linton High Street stop), Dunbar, Edinburgh (via Longniddry and Prestonpans) and Glasgow. Town-centre parking restrictions apply from 1 June 2026, so public transport is encouraged.
- Where do I buy tickets?
- Tickets and the full programme are sold through the official Fringe by the Sea website. What’s On East Lothian lists events for discovery but does not handle ticket sales.
