Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025 – Free Family Friendly Events
I visited the Meadows Festival today, and picked up a printed programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025. It’s always fun to sit down with a cuppa and browse through it, but with over 3,000 shows to choose from it can get a bit overwhelming – and the costs can add up too if you have a whole family to take along. However, there’s also quite a few free shows to choose from, so once again I’ve rounded up the free listed children’s shows, plus a few from the general programme that are listed as family friendly. I’ve listed them in order of the recommended age suitability. Most of the free events are non ticketed, meaning it’s first come, first served.
NOTE: As always, the information is correct at time of writing, but please check before you travel. Click on the show titles to visit the relevant entries on the Fringe website.
Fringe for Bairns
1 – 24 August at The Three Sisters (Venue 272a)
Start time: 10:00 until 15:00 (drop-in)
Suitability: all ages
“A magical, fun-filled festival experience designed especially for the wee ones. Packed with laughter, wonder and interactive delights, this special Fringe programme brings together the best family-friendly theatre, comedy, music and storytelling.”\
The Flight of the Teddy Bears
13 t0 24 August (not 20 Aug) at Little Plaza (Venue 159)
Start time: | Duration: 50 mins
Suitability: all ages
“Help enchanting storyteller Carmel Page to wake her bears, get to know them though play and then launch them into joyful flight. This very playful and uplifting show starts gently and soon becomes anarchic joy as the room fills with Flying Teddy Bears. The whole family can join in the unique fun of a giant teddy bear fight adventure.”
A Christmas Carol: A One-Woman Family Christmas Panto – in August!
2 – 12 August at BrewDog Doghouse Hotel (Venue 603)
Start time: 18:15 | Duration: 50 mins
Suitability: age 3+
“A hilarious, energetic pantomime based on Dickens’ favourite Christmas tale. With audience participation, cracker jokes, puppetry and familiar Christmas cheer – Yes! In August! “
Rhythms of Heritage: Mayo College India
6 August at 14:00 & 7 August at 18:00, at Greyfriars Kirk (Venue 131)
Suitability: age 3+
Duration: 30 mins
“The…student fusion band of Mayo College, warmly invite you on an extraordinary musical journey…experience a captivating blend of Indian classical melodies, fusion rhythms, and Western beats.”
The Symphony of Cultural Unity
19 August at 14:00 & 20 August at 18:00, at Greyfriars Kirk (Venue 131)
Duration: 30 mins
Suitability: age 3+
Dynamic showcase with indoor and outdoor dance performances from Lotus Valley International School Noida India. “From Ganesh Chaturthi’s grandeur to Bihu’s joy, Holi’s colors, Garba and Dhunuchi Naach’s rhythmic devotion, and the electrifying Bhangra, each segment embodies India’s unity.”
Yes-Ya-Yebo!
1 – 11 August at The Counting House (Venue 170)
Start time: 17:30 | Duration: 1 hr
Suitability: 3+
“An all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza celebrating South Africa’s 12 official languages, sprinkled with that incredible township vibe.”
(NOTE: You can view clips from a previous show here https://imibala.com/yes-ya-yebo-is-back/)
A Magic Morning!
3 – 24 August (not Mondays) at Little Plaza (Venue 159)
Start time: 11:10 | Duration: 45 mins
Suitability: age 5+
“Tim Licata astounds audiences throughout Scotland with his brand of delightful deception. Great humour and classic trickery, this is a show the whole family can enjoy.”
Abracadabra Family Friendly Magic Show
3 – 13 August at CC Blooms (Venue 171)
Start time: 12:30pm | Duration: 55 mins
Suitability: age 5+
“Be amazed as Alex brings his signature charm and energy to create an unforgettable experience. Returning for his fifth year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with an all-new, children’s magic show! Get ready for laughter and fun in an interactive show that will have the whole family having an amazing time!”
Snakes and Bladders
16 August only at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (Venue 314)
Start time: 10:00 until 16:00 (drop-in)
Suitability: Age 5+
“Come along to our drop-in day and learn all about the bladder! A fun day for all ages!”
A Titanic Adventure
9 – 15 August at at Burrito ‘n’ Shake (Venue 605)
Stat time: 13:30 | Duration: 45 mins
Suitability: Age 7+
“It’s 10 April 1912. You have arrived at Southampton Harbour and are about to board the largest ship in the world on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic. The ship’s bell rings. Icy what lies ahead, can you? Join us to learn more about the ship, the passengers, the crew and their adventure.”
Ancient Coins of Forgotten Kingdoms
2 – 25 August (not Tuesdays) at Burrito ‘n’ Shake (Venue 605)
Start time: 10:45 | Duration: 50 minutes
Suitability: age 8+
“Ancient coins are rare, historical, often beautiful and sometimes funny. This is a family-friendly show – silly humour, hands-on coin-making, amazing pictures – but not just for kids.“
Charlie Caper – Magical
2 – 25 August (not Tuesdays) at Liquid Room (Venue 276)
Start Time: 13:15 | Duration: 1 hr
Suitability: age 8+
“Charlie Caper – Magical is an incredible magic show that has been performed in 71 countries.”
Dave Reubens – The Magic Game
2 – 24 August at at Liquid Room (Venue 276)
Start Time: 15:45 | Duration: 1 hr
Suitability: age 8+
“The chaotic game show where two audience teams compete in exciting challenges, with mind-blowing magic along the way. Hosted by magician and Fringe favourite, Dave Reubens.”
Serious Nonsense
2 – 21 August at Burrito ‘n’ Shake (Venue 605)
Start time: 13:15 | Duration: 1 hr
Suitability: age 8+
“A perfect gateway into the afternoon through poems and stories for all ages. Meet the awful adults, beastly brats and curious creatures from this verbal tour de force.”
The Grumpy Magicians Present: What’s the Catch?
2 – 16 August at Brewdog Doghouse Hotel (Venue 603)
Start time: 14:35 | Duration: 50 mins
Suitability: age 8+
“The Grumpy Magicians will be performing a brand new show using their unique style of comedy magic to mystify and entertain you.”
The Highland Voices Gospel Choir Experience
10 August at Greyfriars Kirk (Venue 131)
Start time: 15:00 & 18:00 | Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
Suitability: age 8+
“An exceptional group of singers who don’t take themselves too seriously, spreading joy and happiness wherever they go. No genre is safe! As seen on The Traitors (BBC One)”
The following events are listed on the PBH’s Free Fringe 2025 website under children’s shows, but without any age recommendations:
Scottish Panto Fun with the Buttons Show
2 – 24 August at Burrito ‘n’ Shake (Venue 605)
Start time: 12:00 | Duration: 50 mins
“Join legendary Scottish family Buttons for an hour of Panto fun! Featuring amazing puppets, fabulous stories, dazzling magic and catchy Scottish singalong songs.”
Slumpee (The Alien)
2 – 8 August at Little Plaza (Venue 159)
Start time: 13:30 | Duration: 55mins
No description available.
Headlines Through History
16 – 24 August at Little Plaza (Venue 159)
Start time: 13:30 | Duration: 1 hr
“Join journalist Harry Scribbles on his adventures back in time to report on the really interesting news from across the ages. This interactive show sees children join in with the performance, take part in games and craft a newspaper.”
Evolution Revolution
2 – 24 August (not Tuesdays) at Little Plaza (Venue 159)
Start time: 14:40 | Duration: 55 mins
No description available.
Pay What You Can
As well as free events, there are also many events – including children’s shows – that offer ‘pay what you can’ tickets starting from £2.50, which helps to keep costs down for families. Check out the listing of pay what you can events on the Free Festival website.
You can browse the full programme on the Fringe website. Go to “Find Shows” in the tabs, then “Advanced Search”. Under the “genre” filter you can select “Children’s Shows”, or under “More filters” you can filter by age. To find free shows, use the filter “Special pricing” and select “free”. Don’t forget to click on “apply filters” if you are using the “more filters” option. Once you have selected your filters (you can combine more than one filter) click on “Find Shows”.
