Assembly Festival has revealed the latest additions to its 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, bringing the total number of shows on sale to more than 200 across comedy, theatre, music, dance and circus.
The programme will run from 5 to 31 August 2026, with tickets going on sale at 12pm on Friday 1 May.
Newly announced headline acts include Julian Clary, Frank Skinner and Mark Steel, alongside returning favourites and large-scale international productions.
William Burdett-Coutts, Artistic Director of Assembly Festival, said: “We’re thrilled to announce another fantastic batch of shows for 2026’s Fringe programme – welcoming some of the biggest names in comedy alongside award winning shows from Australia, a host of exciting new work from Ireland and homegrown talent from Scottish theatre.”
“As our 45th season at the world’s biggest arts festival, we’re delighted to be able to shine a light on some outstanding new work, returning favourites and artists from around the world.”
Frank Skinner will present a new work-in-progress reflecting on three decades as one of the UK’s most successful stand-ups, while Julian Clary premieres his new solo show Fully Dilated.
Mark Steel brings What The F*** Is Going On? to the Fringe, transferring his BBC Radio 4 format to the stage, and Gail Porter debuts Portergeist in her hometown of Edinburgh.
Dance and physical theatre highlights include the return of five-star hit Afrique en Cirque and the Fringe debut of NDLOVU, featuring the NDLOVU Youth Choir in a high-energy celebration of global music.
Superbowl Salsa will also make its Edinburgh debut, featuring dancers from some of the world’s most iconic half-time shows set to music by Bad Bunny, Shakira, Beyoncé and more.
Theatre additions include Scaramouche Jones, returning for its 25th anniversary and reuniting Justin Butcher with director Guy Masterson for the first time in 13 years.
New theatre work also includes the UK premiere of Ham Sandwiches and Discipline, the debut of Ludwig: Unfinished Business, and Grimm AF, a new musical from the team behind Baby Wants Candy.
Assembly will operate across six venue hubs in 2026, including George Square Gardens, Assembly Rooms, Assembly Hall, Assembly Roxy and Dance Base, with Shedinburgh taking over Checkpoint in a new partnership.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
