10/06/2026
(July 8th-26th) is celebrating its biggest ever festival with over 230 entries including a bumper comedy line-up plus theatre, music and a wealth of other entertainment taking place in a huge variety of venues.
One of the biggest UK Fringes between Edinburgh and Brighton, the Fringe runs in parallel with the prestigious Buxton International Festival (July 9th-26th) and is renowned for its friendliness, eclectic programme and lively atmosphere. It was established a year after the Festival in 1980 and 2026 marks its 47th event.
2026’s Fringe includes over 90 comedy shows, boosted by a new comedy hub at the Best Western Plus Lee Wood Hotel as well as a sizable line-up from Underground.There is also a bulging music category with classical, rock, folk and more, and an exciting range of theatre taking inspiration from historical figures, Shakespeare, AI, mental health, ghosts, 21st century dilemmas, love stories and everything in between. The Fringe is open to all and features both rising talent (local man Dr Andy Mycock having already gone viral riffing on his difficult surname) and established stars such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK Kate Butch and Unlikely Weightlifters podcasters Rob Rouse and Tom Wrigglesworth.
Fringe excitement threatens to reach fever pitch over the middle weekend when on Saturday 18th alone there are 54 events including Chapel en le Frith Morris Day of Dance and attractions in the Pavilion Gardens such as free showcase Fringe Saturday on the Bandstand 2pm plus Two Left Hands open-air theatre at 1pm High Peak Pride Pride Picnic opened at 130pm by our local drag superstar Kate Butch ,and The Shakespeare Jukebox will be back for more mith and mirth from the bard.
