Fringe for Free 2026
We have plenty of free stuff to do at the Fringe, and it's all listed here. If you're interested in a particular category simply click on the colour-coded links below. Once a category has been opened, click on the left hand colour bar to close it.
Many more events will come on stream before we reach the closing date for entries on Sunday 19th April. Please check back often.
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Events marked Please note that details of performances, including times and dates, may be subject to Late Changes. Numbers in brackets refer to venue numbers (see map). For further details on venues including accessibility, see our Venues page. Diary. How to make a Comment.
Info
have been suggested by the entrant as generally suitable for family viewing. Events in the Children's Events category are specifically aimed at young people. In the event of purely Online events, click on the links within the event description.
Fringe
FRINGE AT THE CARNIVAL - Buxton Festival Fringe
Expect fancy dress and fun as the Fringe takes to the streets with its award-winning orange float. Thanks to Lomas Distribution and the Well Dressing and Carnival team for organising this highlight in the town's calendar, this year coinciding with World Fringe Day! Wear orange and give us a wave!
Around the Town 11 Jul 2pm to 4pm Free, Be aware of road closures in Buxton on Carnival Day, Donations: Please give generously to the Well Dressing Charities Comments
FRINGE SATURDAY - Buxton Festival Fringe
Fringe Sunday moves to Saturday this year for what is generally the Fringe’s busiest weekend! Enjoy Pavilion Gardens refreshments and join us for family-friendly entertainment with music, singing, comedy and more! Pick up a Fringe programme, become a Fringe Friend and mingle with the stars at this fabulous outdoor party!
Pavilion Gardens – Bandstand (33a) Map 18 Jul 2pm to 4:30pm Free Comments
Children's Events
A TINY! CIRCUS! - Stone and Water
Help us create our Tiny! Circus! There might be juggling mice, trapeze elephants, butterfly clowns and adventurous children! Make your own fabulous circus character: and everything is very small - no bigger than your hand! Find us on the lawns between the young children's playground and the miniature train station.
Pavilion Gardens – Playground (33m) Map 19 Jul 10:30am to 3:30pm Free, Ages 3+ Comments
Comedy
ARE WE THE PROBLEM?! - The Problems
Are We The Problem? brings together three distinct comedic voices – Lauren Buck, Ciaran Shea and David Martin – each tackling modern life from wildly different angles before collectively circling the central question: if everything keeps going wrong… are we the problem?
(New Writing)
Lee Wood Hotel – Canyons (91c) Map 11 Jul 8pm to 9pm Free, Adult themes, strong language, Ages 18+, Donations: Pay what you want Comments
MENKLE BROTHERS- WIP - Jake Breeze & Phill Sutton
Phill and Jake are properly menkle.
Menkle Brothers is a stand-up show about homelessness, getting to know Jesus, and the menkle bits of being alive. Featuring a failed musician with a terrible receding hairline, and the second-best swimming teacher in the Wigan metropolitan area, with a terrible receding hairline.
Beer & Bean Café Bar (135) Map 10, 11 Jul 7:30pm to 8:45pm Free, Adult thems, Some strong language., Ages 18+
Further information: menklebrothers@gmail.com Comments
PLONKA - Tim Biglowe
Tim's new stand up show is about finding life's golden ticket. With jokes and stories about fame, mishaps and travel with a hapless hippy.
Best Show Nominee at Edinburgh Fringe with the ISH Awards 2025
Best Comedy at Shaftesbury Fringe 2025
'Conjures up something both playful and Killer' One4Review.
Beer & Bean Café Bar (135) Map 25 Jul 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Scrivener's Bookshop (11) Map 26 Jul 3pm to 4pm Free, Ages 16+
Further information: Reserve free tickets on eventbrite.co.uk or just turn up Comments
WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU FUNNIER - Thao Cao
Watch Vietnamese Australian Comedian Thao Cao turn near-death experiences, public racism, and name-shaming into razor-sharp comedy. You’ll laugh, cringe, and recognise yourself in the madness. If you love bold, honest stand-up that offers you a new perspective on life and survival then this show is for you.
Beer & Bean Café Bar (135) Map 10, 11 Jul 9pm to 9:50pm Free, Adult themes, Ages 16+, Donations: Donations of £5-£10 suggested. Collected after the show. Comments
Dance
BUXTON DAY OF DANCE 2026 - Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris
Buxton Day of Dance is an established part of the Fringe programme. Traditional dancing from around the country will fill the streets of Buxton with all the music, colour, passion, energy and humour that the Morris brings. We have also been known to attract some rather unusual weather :-)
Around the Town 18 Jul 10:30am to 4:30pm Free Comments
Music
MUSIC AND POETRY HOUR: PANGOLINS, MUSIC & POETRY - The Clarkes & Co
The Clarkes & Co, acoustic guitar, concertina and vocals, presents Pangolins and Poetry, a show containing Stephen Clarke’s collection of published poetry and original songs from their first two albums. Expect melody, wit, humour and the odd singalong, embellished by Sue Clarke’s vocal harmonies and concertina playing.
Scrivener's Bookshop – Victorian Story Cellar (11a) Map 17 Jul 3:30pm to 4:30pm, 6:30pm to 7:30pm Free, Donations: Pay what you feel with 10% to go to animal charities Gallery
Further information: clarkerstephen@hotmail.com Comments
Spoken Word
THE MAN WITH A BROKEN NOSE - Ian Gregory
Four short stories about Chad Parry, a deaf photographer in the 1940s. Chad has to confront a man who tried to abduct him when he was small, rescue two boys from a burning shed and confront moral dilemmas.
I've had positive reviews at three previous Fringes.
Scrivener's Bookshop (11) Map 10, 11 Jul 3pm to 4pm Free, Ages 12 + Comments
Theatre
GUARDIANS OF THE WYE - Two Left Hands
Following the success of Froggy went a Courting in 2025, local community group Two Left
Hands presents a brand-new show telling the story of Otter, lost in the Wye Valley, and
looking for a new home. With giant puppets, storytelling and original music the show will be
fun for all!
(New Writing)
Burbage Institute, Nursery Lane, Buxton SK17 6UL (53) Map 12 Jul 2pm to 2:45pm, 4pm to 4:45pm. Pavilion Gardens – Burlington Green (33p) Map 18, 19 Jul 1pm to 1:45pm Free, Please bring blankets or chairs to sit on., Donations: Donations gratefully received on the door or please visit our Go Fund Me page gofund.me/9d69 Comments
LOADING... - Ed Sumner, Magician
Now is the best time to do anything! Unless you’re waiting for it to load. So often we wait for the 'perfect' moment, but what if it never arrives? Through magic, mind-reading, storytelling, and comedy, LOADING... explores what happens when life buffers, and the unexpected ways it starts moving again. (New Writing)
Onnen (143) Map 15-17 & 23, 24 Jul 7pm to 7:40pm, 8:30pm to 9:10pm Free Comments
THE SPACE BETWEEN HEARTBEATS - Triple Threat
Three young, talented actors are putting their acting skills to the test by writing, directing and performing a play.
(New Writing)
Grinlow Woods – at Poole's Cavern (94) Map 19 Jul 2pm to 2:45pm Free, Ages 10+
Further information: 07494764526 Comments
Visual Arts
ART IN THE OCTAGON - High Peak Artists
Don’t miss this free Fringe Award nominated art extravaganza! Over 30 exhibition stands in the Octagon. Meet award-winning artists and makers from the High Peak Artists group with special guest artists. Demonstrations in oils, pastels, watercolours, silk painting, stained glass, wood turning, photography, printmaking, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and lots more.
Pavilion Gardens – Octagon (33d) Map 13-15 Jul 10am to 5pm Free Comments
BUXTON FLOWERPOT TRAIL - Funny Wonders
Head to where you see the dots, can you find the flowerpots? Family fun around Buxton. Trail maps available from the Pump Room, High Street News and Poole’s Cavern. Cost £1. Or download a copy for free from www.funnywonders.org.uk. Donations welcome. #BuxtonFlowerpotTrail
Around the Town 8-26 Jul all day Free, Donations: www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ADU62ABRD7R7Q
Further information: hello@funnywonders.org.uk Comments
PIANO PIECES : DISMANTLED AND DISPLAYED - Hugo Edwardes
Intercepted on their way to the scrapyard, these 7 pianos which were once a regular, familiar and central presence in British households are now redundant and a burden. The component parts show us an age of skilled manufacture from the recent past. Come and handle, explore and reconfigure the pieces.
The Bungalow, Lightwood Ave, Buxton SK17 7AZ (98) Map 17-19 & 24-26 Jul noon to 6pm Free, Ages All Comments
SIP, SIT AND SKETCH - Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust
During the Fringe, the Pump Room transforms into a sketcher's haven. Buy a drink and borrow sketching and painting materials to capture the moment. Artistic inspiration flows where drinks and creativity mingle.
The Pump Room (84) Map 8 Jul from 10am, 9-26 Jul all day Free, Donations: Donations are very welcome, but the cost of a drink will allow you to borrow the materials.
Further information: hello@buxtoncrescenttrust.org Comments
SUMMER SHOWCASE - Peak District Artisans
Celebrating 35 years of Peak District Artisans, our new Flagship Event will be held in the magnificent Octagon Hall. Showcasing contemporary artworks from some of the best professional artists and makers in the Peak District, this award-winning exhibition is an opportunity to meet the artists and purchase something totally unique.
Pavilion Gardens – Octagon (33d) Map 18 Jul 11am to 5pm, 19 Jul 10am to 4pm Free Gallery Comments
And More...
HIGH PEAK PRIDE PICNIC - High Peak Pride
Join us for an afternoon of fun, glamour and fabulous hats! There will be garden games, frivolities and of course Buxton's Big Gay Bake Off! Bring your own picnic and meet us on the lawns to relax, laugh and celebrate life! No tickets needed: just wander along and join in!
Pavilion Gardens – Swimming Pool Lawns (33n) Map 18 Jul 1pm to 4pm Free, Ages All Gallery Comments
UGLY BUG BALL - Serpentine Community Garden
Come and join us for a fun, family day at the Serpentine Community Garden to celebrate our new pollinator bed. Plenty of activities for all ages.. Plus music and refreshments, and a chance to look around the garden.
Serpentine Community Garden (107) Map 12 Jul noon to 4pm Free, Donations: welcome Comments
