11 days of eyeball busting shows!

The San Diego International Fringe Festival brings the beautiful, the bizarre and the unexpected to America’s Finest City. In 2018, our award-winning venture included Family Fringe, Emerging Fringe, Visual Fringe, Street Theatre, and the World’s First Bi-National Fringe!

FESTIVAL: May 16 - 26, 2024

A brief history of FRINGE

The Fringe began in 1947 when eight groups appeared uninvited to the newly formed Edinburgh International Festival and performed “on the fringe” of the main festival—in church basements, storefronts, streets and alleys. While the main festival still exists, The Edinburgh Fringe is now the largest performing arts festival in the world: more than 500 companies from around the globe give thousands of performances during the 5 weeks of that festival.

Fringe Festivals have been established throughout the world to provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their works and performances in a setting unconstrained by censorship, judgment, or the status quo. Fringe Festivals provide platforms for artists of all origins and disciplines to collaborate and share their art with each other and with the local community.

Why is FRINGE so extraordinary?

At the San Diego International Fringe Festival, we focus on fringe artists and creating community, as we encourage the development of San Diego as a destination for innovative artistic expression.

• There is NO censorship Artists are free to perform what they want
• Most shows run 45-60 minutes Patrons see multiple shows every day
• Tickets are affordable: $10 to free — A Festival PASS makes them even less!
• Free outdoor performances from Buskers and Street Theatre
• Local, National & International artists
• The Fringe Club offers a beer and a bite... and the chance to discover what’s hot!