Guildford Fringe Festival returns with comedy, theatre and family fun

From laugh-out-loud comedy and thought-provoking theatre to live music, cabaret and family entertainment, Guildford Fringe Festival returns this September with an eclectic programme of affordable performances across venues throughout the town.

Guildford Fringe Festival is all about making great arts accessible for all and now in its 13th year it is continuing that tradition.

The open-access multi-arts extravaganza spreads across an eclectic mix of venues from traditional pubs and historic churches to Guildford Institute and a nature reserve.

The Back Room of The Star Inn serves as the festival’s hub once again with highlights including Juliette Burton: Villain Era, Adam Flood: Life and Death of the Party, Michael Brunström: William Tell versus the Algorithm, Jack Barry: Let’s Get Barried and Comedy Shomedy. Fans of improv will find plenty too including Adult Panto [Unscripted], CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation and the galaxy-brained Space Planet Mission: The Improvised Sci-Fi Epic.

This year’s theatre includes Alan Bennett’s celebrated monologue An Englishman Abroad and Lady Bracknell’s Confinement, a reimagining drawn from the world of Oscar Wilde. Gothic literature lovers are in for a treat with One Man Poe: The Black Cat and The Raven, and Christ Church Guildford provides a fitting setting for From the Dawn of Time to the Last Battle. The line-up also includes the intimate drama Behind Closed Doors, the unsettling Ghost Light, and Pandora: The Musical which is an original rock/folk retelling of the Greek legend.

Music fans have plenty to look forward to with the annual free concert Opera on the Balcony and Café De Swing bringing jazz to Clandon Wood Nature Reserve. Cabaret fans can enjoy Glitter, Guilt and Good Intentions at the Fallen Angel Bar, Keys and Tease, and the cheerful irreverence of Vince Taylor: Punk to Pension Plan. The Rock Choir takes over Guildford High Street once more, and there’s a free community UkeJam at the Britannia Pub.

Younger audiences are catered for with The Wow Bubble Show for Kids at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve and The Smallest Sardine of the Seven Seas at The Stoke Pub. In Juliet’s Garden by Judy Elliot McDonald brings original outdoor theatre to Clandon Wood.

Charlotte Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe, said: “The 2026 programme is one we’re really proud of. There’s so much variety and so many brilliant performers coming to Guildford this September. At the heart of everything we do is a belief that great arts should be accessible to everyone, and this year’s programme is a real reflection of that.”

Special thanks to Guildford Fringe’s sponsors and supporters, Chapters Financial, Experience Guildford, Churchmill and Kellys Storage.

Most ticketed shows at Guildford Fringe are priced at £12, and several events are free. For the full programme, visit: guildfordfringe.com or call the Box Office on 01483 361101. During the Festival, there will be a daily Box Office at The Star Inn, Quarry Street, from 6-7pm.

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