About the Fringe

A Fringe Festival is a forum that unites artists and audiences in a fun, exploratory environment.

2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2

Ottawa Fringe recognizes the privilege to be operating and performing on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg. As guests on this land, we promise to walk gently and with respect.

To the past, present and future caretakers of Turtle Island, Chi-Miigwetch.

WHO WE ARE

Producers of the 25th Ottawa Fringe Festival (June 16-27, 2026) and the 12th undercurrents festival (April 2022 at Arts Court Theatre). Since 2013, Ottawa Fringe has been managing Arts Court Theatre plus more studio and rehearsal spaces in the historic building.

→ Staff & Board Contact List

→ Ottawa Fringe is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization.

→ The Fringe is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for our festival’s audiences, volunteers, artists, and staff

HISTORY

Fringe Festivals trace their roots to Scotland when in 1947 several theatre companies not invited to participate in the first Edinburgh International Festival staged shows on the fringe of official venues, setting up wherever they could find space, finding audiences by word of mouth, and succeeding (or failing) on the strength of their talents alone.

Embracing this spirit of artistic freedom, the first North American Fringe Festival was established in Edmonton in 1982. Audiences were wildly enthusiastic and the Edmonton Fringe is now second only to the Edinburgh Festival in size. Encouraged by this tremendous success, many cities across Canada and United States created Fringe Festivals of their own, each with its own distinctive style, but all adhering to the principles of accessibility, affordability and artistic daring.

THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FRINGE FESTIVALS

The Ottawa Fringe Festival is a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals. CAFF has established a set of guidelines and philosophies to which each Fringe Festival must adhere. Fringe Festival performers are selected in a non-juried process, and the Festival exercises no control over the artistic content of the performances. In addition, 100% of ticket revenue is returned directly to the artists themselves.

Each year, the CAFF touring circuit provides more than 800 theatre companies with an opportunity to present their work in a supportive environment. This circuit appeals to nearly one million people who attend Fringe Festivals in North America every year. This circuit allows for the continued evolution and development of artists and audiences from around the world.