{"data":{"id":"2be459f0-885f-4810-8bc7-3782a7f03f70","originKind":"SYNDICATED","title":"Edmonton Fringe announces Unforgettable theme for 2026 festival","summary":"For many theatregoers, this may go without saying, but the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre festival is making it official.\n\nThis year’s event will be Unforgettable.\n\nOrganizers of the annual theatre-palooza announced Monday the theme for the 2026 edition — the 45th fest, in fact — and it’s Fringe Unforgettable.\n\n“This year’s theme celebrates the moments that linger long after the final bow,” a release from the Fringe said.\n\n“The unexpected discoveries. The daring performances. The belly laughs, tears, chance encounters, familiar faces and hugs in a lineup outside a theatre, and the unforgettable stories that have shaped North America’s largest and longest running Fringe Theatre Festival for nearly half a century.”\n\nRunning from Aug. 13-23, the festival will see 209 shows in 37 venues around town, with the usual key haunts of the French Quarter and, of course, Old Strathcona and surrounding areas.\n\nThe fest will also include free concerts in ATB Park, featuring a mix of local and touring artists, KidsFringe, 35 outdoor performers from circus artists to street theatre.\n\nNew this year will be an expanded pêhonân with a new Indigenous-led gathering place for storytelling and connection, as well as what’s called “Q2Q: A Queer Barns Series” featuring open mics, drag workshops and more.\n\nReturning this year is the Fringe Shuttle, a free service getting folks from the main Fringe Grounds to the French Quarter, supported by Edmonton Transit.\n\nFestival Guides go on sale July 29, while ticket sales start Aug. 5 at noon.\n\nMore info via the Fringe fest’s website.","url":"https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/edmonton-fringe-festival-unforgettable-theme","imageUrl":"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mg_9287.ej_298090850.jpg","publishedAt":"2026-06-29T20:46:44.000Z","sourceLabel":"Edmonton Journal Music","tags":["Entertainment","Festivals","Local Arts","Theatre"],"authorName":"Edmonton Journal","contentHtml":"<img alt=\"Old Strathcona is transitioning into ground zero for the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival on Monday, August 11, 2025. \" src=\"https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/edmontonjournal/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mg_9287.ej_298090850.jpg\" title=\"Old Strathcona is transitioning into ground zero for the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival on Monday, August 11, 2025. \" /><p> For many theatregoers, this may go without saying, but the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre festival is making it official. </p><p> This year’s event will be Unforgettable. </p><p> Organizers of the annual theatre-palooza announced Monday the theme for the 2026 edition — the 45th fest, in fact — and it’s Fringe Unforgettable. </p><p> “This year’s theme celebrates the moments that linger long after the final bow,” a release from the Fringe said. </p><p> “The unexpected discoveries. The daring performances. The belly laughs, tears, chance encounters, familiar faces and hugs in a lineup outside a theatre, and the unforgettable stories that have shaped North America’s largest and longest running Fringe Theatre Festival for nearly half a century.” </p><p> Running from Aug. 13-23, the festival will see 209 shows in 37 venues around town, with the usual key haunts of the French Quarter and, of course, Old Strathcona and surrounding areas. </p><p> The fest will also include free concerts in ATB Park, featuring a mix of local and touring artists, KidsFringe, 35 outdoor performers from circus artists to street theatre. </p><p> New this year will be an expanded pêhonân with a new Indigenous-led gathering place for storytelling and connection, as well as what’s called “Q2Q: A Queer Barns Series” featuring open mics, drag workshops and more. </p><p> Returning this year is the Fringe Shuttle, a free service getting folks from the main Fringe Grounds to the French Quarter, supported by Edmonton Transit. </p><p> Festival Guides go on sale July 29, while ticket sales start Aug. 5 at noon. </p><p> More info via the <a href=\"https://www.fringetheatre.ca/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fringe fest’s website</a> . </p>","slug":"edmonton-fringe-announces-unforgettable-theme-for-2026-festival","publicPath":"/news/2026-06-29-edmonton-fringe-announces-unforgettable-theme-for-2026-festival"}}