First look at permanent home for Edinburgh Festival Fringe community

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe community’s new permanent home, which will be known as Fringe Central, has been revealed.

After more than a year of refurbishment on the former schoolhouse at 6 Infirmary Street in Edinburgh, the Fringe Society will move into its new home on Tuesday.

Historically, Fringe Central was the name given to the Fringe’s annual temporary pop-up hub for artists, media and arts industry during August.

From August 2026, it will be a permanent place for everyone who takes part at the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as a new base for the Fringe Society team.

The hub will be known as Fringe Central (Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society/PA)

“Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Fringe Society, as we formally move into 6 Infirmary Street, which will be known from now as Fringe Central,” Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said.

“For nearly ten years we have had a desire to create a welcoming space for everyone involved with the Festival Fringe – from artists, producers and venues to Edinburgh’s residents and stakeholders across the city.”

He added: “With just weeks now until the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we can’t wait to open the doors to the thousands of participants coming to Edinburgh this August for the most important cultural event in the world.”

The Society said the hub will embed the Fringe Festival within the community and enable it to modernise services and work with local artists, grassroots organisations, schools and community groups in ways that have not been possible from its existing premises.

The refurbishment has put accessibility and sustainability at its core, and new features include air source heat pumps, an accessible changing places toilet and a new lift.

“The Fringe Society does fantastic work keeping the largest performing arts festival in the world thriving,” Arts Minister Ian Murray said.

“It’s high time they have a permanent home, and I know this will support their great ambitions for the festival.

“I know from my summers working at the Edinburgh Fringe that it is all about bringing people together.

“This hub for the Society, the artists, producers and media is the perfect embodiment of that. I know everyone associated with the Fringe and the wider Edinburgh festivals will benefit hugely from the new hub.”