How To Fringe

What is the Fringe?

The Fringe is a performing arts movement which began in Edinburgh in 1947. Fringes came to North America in 1982, first to Edmonton, AB, and then to Vancouver in 1985. Fringe festivals are uncurated, meaning artists are not selected by the presenters. Instead, Fringe artists are chosen through a lottery draw.

Fringe festivals serve as an inclusive space for all artists, whether emerging or established, providing a form for them to showcase their work. We aim to be a home for artists and audiences alike and to create space for art, joy, community, and belonging.

How to book tickets

Before the Festival, tickets and passes can be purchased online or by phone at 604-336-1736, Monday to Friday from 12 PM to 4 PM. During the Festival, in-person sales are also available at Festival House, 1398 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, with box office hours from 4 PM to 10 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are not available for purchase at performance venues.

The ticket prices listed in this guide have been chosen by the artists and include a $5 ticket fee that covers the box office and processing costs. The Fringe returns 100% of the base ticket price to artists.

If you are purchasing six shows or more, you can save money by purchasing a MultiBuy pass.

Get exclusive deals with Fringe+

Get the best Fringe experience AND support the arts! Fringe+ is an add-on bundle of early-access perks, access to ½-price shows, and a free ticket for you to bring a friend to their first Fringe show. After all, theatre is better when shared.

Fringe+ expands your experience: more shows, less cost, and cool perks —plus a donation that supports the future of the Fringe. Learn more about Fringe+.

Can I arrive after a show starts?

You may not be able to enter a show if you arrive after the listed start time.

Please aim to arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes early.

Leave a review

Welcome to Fringe Reviews, a repository of reviews written by Fringers like you! Look up your next show and leave your own comments—just remember to be kind!

Getting to the Festival

The Vancouver Fringe Festival takes place almost entirely on Granville Island. There are many ways to get to Granville Island, and we’re thrilled to be working with CMHC Granville Island and False Creek Ferries to support active and public transportation to the Island. Learn more about our venues.

Bike: Bike parking, located behind Granville Island Brewing, is available thanks to CMHC Granville Island. It operates from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Thursday, with closing extended to 11 PM Friday through Sunday. This is a safe and free way to store your bike while visiting Granville Island.

Transit: The #50 bus route arrives at the entrance to Granville Island from Waterfront Station (passing through downtown along Granville Street) or from Olympic Village Station. For detailed route info, see TransLink’s Trip Planner.

Ferry: False Creek Ferries operates every 5–15 minutes daily, rain or shine, with stops at Sunset Beach, David Lam Park, and Yaletown. For operating hours and detailed route info, check False Creek Ferries’ website.

Car: Limited pay parking is available on and around Granville Island.

Studio 16 is located at La Maison de la Francophonie de Vancouver, west of Granville St on W 7th Ave. Bus stops on Granville St., serviced by the #10, #14, and #16, bus routes are about two minutes away. Limited bike parking, and paid street parking, is available. Studio 16 is reachable from Granville Island via Anderson St.

Little Mountain Gallery is located at 110 Water St. in Gastown in downtown Vancouver. A bus stop on W Cordova St. serviced by the #50 bus route is two minutes away via Abbott St. Waterfront Skytrain Station is a nine-minute walk via W Cordova and Water St. Limited bike parking is available along Water St. Paid parking is available in an underground lot one minute away along Water St.

Accessibility

We work with our community to identify, prevent, and remove as many barriers as we can. If you have questions about accessibility at the Fringe, please go to our Accessibility page or email us.

Tip the Fringe

When you Tip the Fringe, you help sustain our Festival for years to come. Your gift supports presentation costs like staging, seating, lighting and sound equipment, and marketing. Look for our Tip the Fringe team or visit our Donate page make your gift.

How to Book Tickets

Before the festival, tickets, passes, and memberships can be purchased online or over the phone. During the festival, we also operate three box offices on Granville Island. Tickets are not available for purchase at performance venues.

Ticket Prices & Multibuys

Artists choose their own ticket price (including the $3 ticket fee) between $15–$18. The Fringe returns 100% of ticket profits back to artists. Unlike some online ticket sellers, your $3 ticket fee goes solely towards the costs associated with selling you a ticket, like GST and credit card transaction fees. If you are purchasing six shows or more, save money by purchasing a MultiBuy pass.

6 Show Pass: $87 I 10 Show Pass $140 I 30 Show Pass $408

MultiBuys can be shared between you and one other person. They allow you to book up to two tickets per performance at a discounted rate. You can book tickets using your pass online or at the box office.

Box Office Hours

Pre-Festival
Online: vancouverfringe.com/events
Phone: (+1) (236) 978-4919 I 11am – 4pm (Mon – Fri)
During the Festival (Sep 3–15)

In-Person (from Sep 3):
• Festival House, 1398 Cartwright St., Granville Island, V6H 3R8 (main box office)
• Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St., Granville Island, V6H 3R8
• Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston St., Granville Island, V6H 3R9
Online: vancouverfringe.com/events
Phone: (+1) (236) 978-4919 I Mon – Fri: 2pm – 10pm, Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm

Venues

This year, our festival is taking place entirely on Granville Island! Think fewer venues? Think again! We have 17 unique spaces for you to get your Fringe on. For the full list of venues and detailed information, head over to our venue page.

Island Neighbours

The Fringe aims to be a good neighbour with our fellow tenants on Granville Island. You can help us out be respecting local businesses. A few of our neighbours have also offered discounts for Fringers!

Northern Bars: 10% off
Granville Island Public Market. Northern Bars is a Granville Island based producer of premium shelf stable Nanaimo Bars – made with high quality ingredients and packed in bite sized pieces in a beautiful gift boxes.

Memberships

You no longer require a $10 membership to come to the Fringe! Simply purchase your tickets to the shows, and enjoy the festival. Want to make the most of your experience? Buy Fringe+ for extra perks and discounts.