Best of the Fest: Giant noses, curious snails and gross medical procedures live on stage - the weird and wonderful Edinburgh Fringe is back to entertain

Published: 22:15, 25 July 2026 | Updated: 22:15, 25 July 2026 A giant nose that has a craving to be famous, a curious snail called George, theatre in a Greek restaurant and a live medical procedure on stage – it could only be Edinburgh’s famous festival Fringe. This year marks the 79th anniversary of the world’s largest arts event, with 3,649 shows making up 53,884 performances across 258 venues with acts from 71 countries. And visitors can expect to see a riotous mix of comedy, circus, dance and theatre from Fringe firsts to veteran acts, as well as the funny to downright weird. Former MP Gyles Brandreth is this year’s oldest act at 78 as he returns to the festival with his new show, Up Memory Lane! The Celebrity Gogglebox and This Morning star will unpack childhood memories and share some of the best and worst stories from his life. He will be joined on stage at the Assembly Gordon Aikman Theatre by his friend Harriet Jaine, the producer of his multi-million download podcast, Rosebud. Not far behind him in the over 70s category is the renowned comedian and actress Ruby Wax. The 73-year-old American-British performer is bringing her show Absolutely Famous to the famous cobblestoned Courtyard at the Pleasance. Mythos Raganok, which combines Shakespearean theatre with wrestling and Norse mythology Between August 25 and 29 she will recount tales from her career alongside friend and producer Clive Tulloh during the one hour show. Throughout the Fringe festival, there’s a mix of well-established and popular venues including the Pleasance, the Assembly Rooms, Just The Tonic and the Gilded Balloon. However, many performances will also take place in obscure corners of the city. Dr Neil’s garden, named after husband and wife GPs Nancy and Andrew Neil, is a secluded spot on the banks of Duddingston Loch. Three exhibitions will be housed within the historic Thomson tower, situated in the garden. Other bizarre venues include Greek Gyros Grill on South Street, the National Records of Scotland offices, and various streets across the city. Also back by popular demand for its tenth Fringe run is an adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s 1990s movie hit Trainspotting, performed in a tunnel beneath the city’s streets with audiences part of the action, including for the notorious ‘worst toilet in Scotland’ scene. Meanwhile, for the fantasy fans, there’s Mythos Ragnarok at the Music Hall at the Assembly Rooms. Described as ‘pure joy’ that is ‘probably the most physically intense spectacle of the whole festival’, it blends the comedy of Shakespearean theatre with the excitement of live wrestling to a soundtrack which will transport audiences to mythical Asgard. Creator and performer Ed Gamester said: ‘If you love Norse mythology, it’s a loving and thrilling adaptation of the Prose Edda. If you know nothing about Norse mythology, it’s the best possible way to experience it!’ For those who want to see a real spectacle, Tale of the Firebird is a one-of-a-kind show. Performing at Assembly Roxy, each of the 12 performers are both virtuoso classical musicians and world-class acrobats, with the show combining live classical music with contemporary circus, movement and physical theatre. Performer Sonja Schebeck said: ‘With a compelling musical landscape, the show blends live instrumental performance with aerial arts, dynamic group acrobatics with instruments, fire eating and fire spinning, contemporary dance, physical theatre and aerial harp. Australian doctor Noah Szto, whose show involves a live medical procedure ‘Yes, you’ll probably see things that you never thought musicians would do.’ Making his Fringe debut is junior doctor Noah Szto, who will wow crowds when he performs a live medical procedure. The Australian act said audiences can expect ‘a non-stop, high-energy, irreverent comedy-cabaret all about my reluctant and frankly unglamorous journey to become a doctor’. He said: ‘This show has everything – original songs, stand-up, dance numbers, puppetry, and a live onstage medical procedure.’ With the show described as ‘invasive and gross’, Fringe-goers can prepare to be amazed – or shocked – at Underground at Assembly George Square studios. The bizarre and outrageous are common themes among the many Fringe acts. Taking to the stage at Paradise in Augustines is Nosejob – a show with a giant nose. Craving attention and adoration, it is a comedy about beauty, disgust, and how our gaze shapes our reality. Continuing with the peculiar is Bi-curious George: Snail Trail, a show about a mollusc who hides in his shell when he is overwhelmed. Strictly for over 16s, this drag comedy, also at Pleasance Courtyard is described by TV star Graham Norton as ‘full of energy and charm’. For those who are after something more energetic, Pilates is a trend that is not only shaping the fitness world in 2026 but is the setting for a fun Fringe show. Reformer is a 50-minute act at the Olive Studio at Greenside, George Street, where a female friendship is tested during a Pilates class. Two women tackle trending beauty standards, conspiracies and femininity, all while working out together. The Guinness World Record-breaking NewsRevue, which has been running for 47 years, will take to the stage in Pleasance One this year. Taking the doom and gloom from the news and transforming it into a world-class performance, it will distract audiences from all that is happpening around the globe. The show includes a barrage of hilarious sketches and parody songs that don’t require audiences to know the headlines. The team behind it said: ‘From felon presidents wreaking havoc, disgraced royals, to the rise of AI and Ozempic – we’ve got it covered.’ Then there is the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon – and this is not a satire or a joke performance. Edinburgh International Conference Centre will hear from the ex-SNP leader only weeks after her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, was jailed for embezzlement. She’ll be speaking to award-winning LBC radio presenter, author and podcast host Iain Dale on August 8. Of course, there is still a huge number of veteran acts appearing at the Fringe for those who want to have a guaranteed laugh, entertainment, and to see some well-known faces. Pleasance Courtyard plays host to a variety of acts, including Bi-Curious George Comedian Jack Dee will be celebrating 40 years in stand-up, Julian Clary ditches the stage persona to reveal the real him, and Sara Pascoe will perform a one night only show on August 5. Other acts include Edinburgh comedian Connor Burns, Daniel Sloss, Frank Skinner and Rosie Holt, known for her political parody sketches. Finally, perennial Fringe regulars the Ladyboys of Bangkok will be returning to the capital at Theatre Big Top. The award-winning cabaret is celebrating 25 years at the Fringe, where it has been seen by more than one million people. Their vibrant show combines glamorous costumes, high-energy choreography, comedy and precision lip-synched performances inspired by Thai cabaret tradition and global pop culture. Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘This year’s Fringe programme is packed with every kind of performance. ‘So, we’re asking audiences to mix it up and explore the unique, creative performances available at this Fringe. ‘From theatre or circus, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or cabaret, there is something for everyone in Edinburgh this August.’