Accessibility

Launch Accessibility Toolbar

 

We believe that everyone has the right to experience the thrill of live performance, and we’re working towards ensuring the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is as inclusive as possible. To find out about the work we’re doing year round to improve the accessibility of the Fringe, visit our access pages.

What is the access booking service?

The Fringe Box Office has staff in place specifically for access enquiries and ticket bookings. This service is here to assist anyone with an access requirement to make the most of what the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has to offer. To find out more about the access tickets service please email [email protected]. 

The access booking service is available to anyone who:

  • would like to book specific accessibility services, eg a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units or seating in relation to the location of a BSL interpreter
  • requires specific accessibility information for each venue
  • requires extra assistance when at a venue, including avoiding waiting in queues and busy environments
  • has specific seating requirements
  • is a wheelchair user
  • requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance.

How to contact and book through the access booking service

  • Phone: +44 (0) 131 226 0002
  • Email: [email protected]
  • WhatsApp message booking: +44 (0)7923 525799 (text only)
  • In person: Fringe Shop and Box Office, 180 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QS
  • Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday
  • Festival opening hours (31 July – 28 August):
    • Phone, email and WhatsApp: 09:00 – 21:00, Monday – Sunday
    • In person: 10:00 – 18:00, Monday – Friday

 

How to find a show

The advanced search filters on edfringe.com can be used to filter all shows by access provision.

Please remember to check the accessibility tab of the show listing for the performance dates of captioned, audio-described, signed and relaxed performances.

You can apply the following filters or click on the quick links below to view results.

How to find more detailed access information

Further accessibility information for each event can be found on the Accessibility tab on the event listing, including the dates and details of enhanced performances and venue accessibility information.

How to book tickets

Booking tickets online or the Fringe app

To book complimentary personal assistant / companion tickets online, please complete the following form and a member of team will get back to you. 

Access customer registration form

Following your account set-up you will be able to view and book personal assistant tickets alongside your paid tickets on our website or Fringe app 24 hours a day. 

Unfortunately, we are currently only able to offer this service to non-wheelchair users, but have plans to expand it over the course of the next few years – in the meantime, if you use a wheelchair and would like to use the access bookings service, please get in touch with us using the contact methods above.

Booking tickets by email or WhatsApp

Please include the following information in your message:

  • the show you would like to book
  • the date, time and venue of the show
  • number of tickets required
  • your access requirements
  • a phone number we can contact you on if you would like us to phone you
  • your full billing address.

Booking tickets over the phone or in person

Our access booking team is here also to assist you over the phone or in person. 

Booking Half Price Hut tickets

Half Price Hut tickets are available in person at the Fringe Box Office (180 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS) from the first Wednesday of the Fringe. As an access booking customer, you can also book these tickets via phone, email or WhatsApp. 

Finding an accessible venue

Please use the search filters to search for an accessible venue.

Accessible toilets

Changing Places are accessible toilets with an adult-sized changing bench and hoist, for people who are unable to use a standard accessible toilet.

Here's the data we have for Changing Places toilets and accessible toilets:

Changing Places during August

  • Joint Fringe and Edinburgh International Book Festival facility, Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, EH3 9EF, 03 – 09 August, 10:00 – 22:00; 10 – 25 August, 09:30 – 22:30; 26 August, 08:00 – 20:00.

Changing Places available year-round

  • The Booking Office Pub, Waverley Bridge, EH1 1BQ, Sunday to Thursday 07:00 – 00:00, Friday and Saturday 07:00 – 01:00.
  • Edinburgh Waverley Station, Edinburgh, EH1 1BB, Monday to Saturday 04:00 – 23:45, Sunday 06:00 – 23:45.
  • Johnnie Walker Princes Street, 145 Princes Street, EH2 4BL, 10:00 – 00:00.
  • National Gallery Scotland, level 3, The Mound, EH2 2EL, 10:00 – 17:00. Partial Changing Places toilet with all the required facilities and floorspace (13.54m2), but as it’s in a listed building, it is a few inches too narrow to be a full Changing Places toilet. The room width is 1.9m at the narrowest point.
  • National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF, 10:00 – 17:00.
  • The Scottish Parliament, 1 Horse Wynd, EH99 1SP, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 – 17:00. Last entry 16:30.
  • St James Quarter, St James Crescent, level one of the Galleria, Edinburgh, EH1 3AD, Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 20:00, Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. This facility can only be accessed with a key which can be collected from the Guest Services Desk located on level one of St James Quarter (a radar key will not work).
     
  • Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, ModernOne carpark, 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR, 09:45 – 17:30.

BSL at the Fringe street events

We are delighted to be working with Deaf Action to provide BSL-interpreted performances at West Parliament Square as part of the Fringe street events. These will take place on 11, 17, and 22 August.

Sensory tools

The Fringe can be an overwhelming place. We offer free sensory tools for anyone who needs them during August. These can be ordered in advance for delivery before the Fringe or picked up from Fringe Box Office throughout August. Please note that items may vary from the image.

To order your sensory tools please complete the following form: 

Order sensory tools

Visual timetables are back for 2024. Created in collaboration with Tzipporah Johnstone, a neurodivergent artists from the Neuk Collective, the visual timetable aims to help neurodivergent people plan their trips to the Fringe. Timetables will be available to pick up at the Fringe Box Office during August or to download:

These resources were created with the help of the proudly neurodivergent-led Neuk Collective and Door in the Wall Arts Access CIC.

If you would like more information on the sensory resources, please contact [email protected].

Counteractive Compositions

Counteractive Compositions is a collaboration between Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Drake Music Scotland, originated by Kirstin Abraham, transforming the frenetic sounds of the Fringe into a mellow sound world. The music has been created by members of Digital Orchestra, iPad Lab and MusicSPACE – all projects led by Drake Music Scotland, a creative organisation working with Disabled Musicians to compose, record and perform new music.

Covid-19

In line with Scottish Government guidance, there is currently no legal requirement for Fringe venues to observe Covid safety measures such as compulsory face coverings, minimum social distancing, etc.

However, we recognise that Covid and other illnesses are still a serious concern for people who are clinically vulnerable. If you'd like to visit the Fringe but have health concerns, please get in touch with our access bookings team on [email protected] and we can offer advice on attending the Fringe.

A Distance Aware scheme, run by the Scottish Government, uses a badge or lanyard to show if someone needs more space or care. Find out more: Distance Aware badge or lanyard.

Useful links

  • Blue badge car parking in Edinburgh
    Search for a parking space for a disabled person on this map from the City of Edinburgh Council.
    Find out more at edinburgh.gov.uk
  • Lothian bus access information
    Lothian buses aim to make travel easier for everyone, including passengers with disabilities and those traveling with young children.
    Find out more at lothianbuses.co.uk
  • Artlink Edinburgh Arts Access
    Artlink works towards making the arts accessible to people with experience of a disability. The Arts Access service creates links between people who want to discover and enjoy the arts in Edinburgh. The service works to ensure that the trickiest part of an Arts Access outing is choosing where to go. They provide ‘What’s On’ information, book tickets, match members with volunteers and organise transport.
    Find out more at artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
  • Euan’s Guide
    Euan’s Guide is the disabled access review website that aims to ‘remove the fear of the unknown’ and inspire people to try new places. Many Fringe venues are listed as ‘pop-up venues’.
    Find out more at euansguide.com
  • Gig Buddies
    Gig Buddies is a befriending project in Midlothian, which aims to link music fans who have a learning disability with volunteers who share a common interest. Many Gig Buddies enjoy coming to a variety of shows at the Fringe.
    Find out more on the Gig Buddies webpage
  • Deaf Action
    Deaf Action is a deaf-led charity that supports and celebrates deaf people. It was established in 1835 and works with deaf people across Scotland and the south of England. Its work is geared towards empowering all deaf people to achieve their potential and fully participate in society, with equality of rights, access and opportunity.

    The Fringe Society does not provide BSL interpreters for specific performances. If you require an interpreter for a show that does not have a planned signed performance, please contact Deaf Action to book your own personal interpreter.