Edinburgh Festival Fringe (EFF), the world’s largest arts festival, has come to a close. Running from 3-27 August, this year’s festival broke records for both attendance and number of performances.
In total, 2,838,839 tickets were issued for EFF shows. That represents a 5% increase on 2017, and a 30% increase over the last five years. As for total number of shows, this year saw 3,548 in the EFF programme.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive at Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, highlighted improved accessibility in her post-festival comments: “The redevelopment of the Virgin Money Street Events has been embraced by audiences and performers, and we are proud to have improved the accessibility of our street events arena on the Royal Mile with dedicated viewing areas for those with access needs, fully accessible stages, BSL interpreted performances and sensory backpacks for children and adults on the autism spectrum.”
She continued: “We are committed to breaking down barriers to attending the Fringe and through the Fringe Blueprint we will continue to work to address issues that affect participants and audiences at the festival, to ensure that no matter who you are or where you come from, you feel you can have a voice and be welcomed here in August.”
The next edition of EFF runs from 2-26 August, 2019.