Fringe Awards 2026

This year's ceremony was held in the beautiful surroundings of Cavendish Room of the Palace Hotel for the first time. Fringe chair Ian Bowns praised the many entrants at this year's bumper Fringe and everyone who helped make the Fringe happen. With thanks to photographer Stephanie Billen as well as Dan Osborne for filming. See our video of the whole event and full list of awards.

The stage is set for the 2026 Fringe Awards (credit: Stephanie Billen)

The stage is set for the 2026 Fringe Awards (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Chair Ian Bowns at the 2026 Fringe Awards (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Chair Ian Bowns at the 2026 Fringe Awards (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fringe Vice Chair Carole Garner with Alice de Cent from Underground as she accepts the Children's Event Award on behalf of Sweet Productions/Stories Alice for Valhalla Awaits (SB 2026)

Fringe Vice Chair Carole Garner with Alice de Cent from Underground as she accepts the Children's Event Award on behalf of Sweet Productions/Stories Alice for Valhalla Awaits (SB 2026)

Fringe Chair Ian Bowns with Maria Carnegie and Jayne Fanthorpe Walker from The Shakespeare Jukebox at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Fringe Chair Ian Bowns with Maria Carnegie and Jayne Fanthorpe Walker from The Shakespeare Jukebox at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Plenty more awards to hand out... (SB)

Plenty more awards to hand out... (SB)

Fringe trustee Rob Harrison announces the Comedy nominations and awards (SB)

Fringe trustee Rob Harrison announces the Comedy nominations and awards (SB)

Underground's Alice de Cent accepts the Comedy Show Award on behalf of Closure Cabaret (SB 2026)

Underground's Alice de Cent accepts the Comedy Show Award on behalf of Closure Cabaret (SB 2026)

Chris Wright and Julia Thompson with the Film Award for Stone of Stone from Downfall Productions (SB 2026)

Chris Wright and Julia Thompson with the Film Award for Stone of Stone from Downfall Productions (SB 2026)

Curtis Bollington accepts the Music: Small Ensemble - Popular Tradition Award on behalf of Ben Holder & Co (SB 2026)

Curtis Bollington accepts the Music: Small Ensemble - Popular Tradition Award on behalf of Ben Holder & Co (SB 2026)

Reviewer Robbie Carnegie introduces the Theatre Awards.

Reviewer Robbie Carnegie introduces the Theatre Awards.

Robbie Carnegie with award-winning Youth Actor Darcy Cassidy from The Pendleton Codebreakers at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Robbie Carnegie with award-winning Youth Actor Darcy Cassidy from The Pendleton Codebreakers at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (credit: Stephanie Billen)

A win for Darcy Cassidy from The Pendleton Codebreakers at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (SB)

A win for Darcy Cassidy from The Pendleton Codebreakers at the Buxton Fringe Awards 2026 (SB)

Alice de Cent accepts the Theatre: Production Award on behalf of Teepee Productions for Tell Me Where it Hurts (SB 2026)

Alice de Cent accepts the Theatre: Production Award on behalf of Teepee Productions for Tell Me Where it Hurts (SB 2026)

Two Left Hands at the Fringe Awards 2026: Dan Rhode, Fiona Holland, Kate Barrett, Gillian Wright (back row), Jules M. Scott , Christine Holland (middle row) and Dave Carlisle (front) (credit: Stephanie Billen)

Two Left Hands at the Fringe Awards 2026: Dan Rhode, Fiona Holland, Kate Barrett, Gillian Wright (back row), Jules M. Scott , Christine Holland (middle row) and Dave Carlisle (front) (credit: Stephanie Billen)