Hotel Escapes Near Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Stay Near Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August
The world’s largest arts festival is set to colour the Scottish capital once more, with a dazzling showcase of music, theatre, comedy and exhibitions across more than 3,500 unforgettable events.
Combining acclaimed acts with the best in upcoming talent from Britain and around the globe, there’s simply no better time of year to immerse yourself in the city’s electric atmosphere than at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
When looking for a place to stay after soaking up this thrilling cultural spectacle, our Houstoun House and Inchyra Hotel & Spa venues offer fine dining, spa treatments, pools and leisure facilities with convenient transport links into the heart of Edinburgh - making for an unforgettable summer break in Scotland.
A Family Guide to the Fringe
The welcoming and inclusive nature of the Edinburgh Fringe lends itself to cultured getaways for all ages between 1st August - 25th August 2025.
Alongside the opportunity to explore historic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, the street performers and buskers of the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat as you delve into the fascinating evolution of the city, take in daytime theatre, puppet shows, magic and even baby-friendly comedy slots.
Must-see Fringe family highlights include:
- The Alphabet of Awesome Science at Underbelly, George Square
- Rabbits Out of the Hat at Pleasance Dome
- Monski Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall, George Square
- James Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids, Gilded Balloon Patter House
- The Mermaid, The Otter & The Big Poo at Dram, Gilded Balloon Patter House
Stay with us:
Houstoun House, West Lothian
Inchyra Hotel & Spa, Falkirk
Theatre Shows at the Fringe
Fans of theatrical performances outside of mainstream productions will be in their element throughout the Fringe, with emerging playwrights, actors and directors able to experiment with plays and musicals performed to intimate crowds.
With an incredible variety of themes and topics on show, there's plenty to keep everyone from the musical aficionado to those with a penchant for brooding drama satisfied.
Just some top picks for theatre shows during your stay include:
- Ohio at Assembly Roxy depicting a real-life married indie-folk duo in the US by Francesca Moody
- Hamlet - Wakefulness at Summerhall is a late-night retelling of the origins of Shakespeare's masterpiece
- Nerds at Underbelly is a musical about the relationship between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs
- Footballers' Wives the Musical at Assembly Rooms has enlisted the help of cheographer Arlene Phillips
Stay with us:
Houstoun House, West Lothian
Inchyra Hotel & Spa, Falkirk
Comedy Shows at the Fringe
With this year's Edinburgh Fringe encouraging visitors to "dare to discover", the comedy section of the festival is always a great opportunity to stumble upon the most exciting new acts on the circuit before they play sold out shows up and down the country.
There's also the occasional established act trialling new or special material thrown in for good measure, with everything from improv to sketch and satire spanning an eclectic mix of performers.
Our highlights for the month ahead include:
- Alan Davies: Think Ahead at Gilded Balloon returns to the Fringe with new material for the first time since 2012.
- Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America at Pleasance Courtyard is a reliable comic with previous popular shows offering unique takes on learning Scots Gaelic.
- Lorna Rose Treen: 24 Hour Diner People buildings on a well received 2023 appearance with a new sketch show looking at life in a diner.
- Urooj Ashfaq: How to be a Baddie is the latest appearance from a former recipient of best newcomer comedy award.
Stay with us:
Houstoun House, West Lothian
Inchyra Hotel & Spa, Falkirk
Music Performances at the Fringe
Once you've had your fill of theatre, comedy and family-friendly fun, the Fringe's music lineup always comes highly recommended each year.
While there's plenty to cater to fans of jazz, blues and classical music, there's also a slant on live music with a twist, with cabaret and musical theatre fusing storytelling with jaunty sounds. Look hard enough, and you may also find established singer-songwriters and bands with a cult following playing in smaller venues.
Take a look at just some of the artists on the bill this year:
- West End Musical Choir at Ps & Gs Church represents a 40-minute journey through some of the most revered showtunes from the West End and Broadway.
- Paris in a Jazz Age at Amphitheatre at theSpace is a delightful throwback to the vibrant swing scene of the 20s, 30s and 40s.
- Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight at St.Vincent's Chapel sees Beethoven's most passionate piano sonatas performed by Matthew Shiel.
- Throwing Muses at La Belle Angele ticks all the boxes when looking for a celebrated songwriter and guitarist - with Kristin Hersh providing a legendary spectacle.
Houstoun House, West Lothian
Inchyra Hotel & Spa, Falkirk
