Get ready for some of the most unpredictable, wild and moving live theatre of the year. The Toronto Fringe Festival is returning for its 38th annual edition, taking over the city’s indie arts scene from June 30 to July 12.
As Ontario’s largest performance festival, this year’s landmark event features a massive lineup of 123 unvetted indie shows across 27 different Toronto venues. From pop-up spaces to iconic traditional stages spanning from Keele Street to the Distillery District, the city is about to become an open-air celebration of creativity.
“Fringe isn’t just a festival. It’s a movement that champions independent artists and makes artistic expression possible,” said Megan Dart, the president of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals. “Stories bring people together. In times of celebration. In times of uncertainty. In the messy, beautiful, unknown between.”
A connection through the arts: The Toronto Fringe Festival
Launched in 1989 by a passionate collective of local theatre makers, Toronto Fringe has grown into a massive launch pad. Today, it serves as an artistic home for everyone from first-time stage performers and viral TikTok stars to celebrated ensembles and award-winning theatre professionals.
Whether you are looking for drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, avant-garde dance or family-friendly KidsFest programming — including free community events in the Distillery District — there is a stage for you. General admission tickets are $19 per show and can be booked online.
The performances will take place at pop-up venues and traditional theatres around the city.
Highlights from the 38th annual festival
This year’s lineup includes award-winning shows, humorous performances and lively sing-a-longs that you will not want to miss. To help you navigate the massive lineup, here are a few highly anticipated highlights from the 2026 festival team:
When: Select dates from June 30 to July 11Where: VideoCabaret — Deanne Taylor Theatre, 10 Busy St.
Finding Jamie is from the creator of the internationally acclaimed “Jack Goes to Therapy,” Zac Williams. He brings a new story to the stage about a lost teacher and missing student. The audience will enjoy this mix of romantic comedy, coming-of-age and mystery.
Clowns Reading Shakespeare KidsFest
When: Select dates from June 30 to July 12Where: Young People’s Theatre Studio, 165 Front St. E.
Kenzie Dalie is the director of this theatrical show about a crew of high-energy clowns. Their mission is to audition for a Shakespeare play. It is a family-friendly experience, suitable for ages four and up.
Clowns Reading Shakespeare KidsFest will be performing at the Young People’s Theatre Studio in Toronto.
Toronto Fringe
When: Select dates from June 30 to July 12Where: Sweet Action Theatre, 180 Shaw St. #106
El Jefe is about Ryan Wedding, an Olympic snowboarder who turned into a drug lord. He has become one of the FBI’s 10 most wanted people. The show showcases his opportunity to change his life.
When: Select dates from June 30 from July 12Where: Soulpepper Theatre’s Michael Young Theatre, 50 Tank House Lane
“CAMP!” is a musical from the Dora nominated team, Ben Kopp and Margot Greve. It centres on Nova and August who have been best friends since their first summer of camp. Their friendship evolves and the story shows what happens when they grow apart.
When: Select dates from July 2 to July 12Where: Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst St.
This is a storytelling and singalong from British performer, Marysia Trembecka. It explores wisdom, life lessons and music of Celine Dion and Cher.
When: Select dates from July 3 to July 12Where: Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave.
Rhoma Spencer’s Danse Macabre is the winner of the Toronto Fringe New Play Contest. While displaying a story about a Mas Camp, it explores Queer identity, culture and resistance.
When: July 18 to 20Where: The Jane Mallett Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, 27 Front St. E.
After the festival, TO Live will host Best of Fringe 2026, a showcase of five prominent performances from Fringe. This will provide the audience with another chance to enjoy sold-out shows and discover artists.
The full list of programming can be found on the festival website.