With some of the world’s funniest comedians appearing at the Fringe before becoming household names, we’ve taken a look at some of the hottest comedians making their debut this year.
Comedy legends who made their breakthrough in Edinburgh at the world’s largest arts festival in the past include Robin Williams in 1971, Billy Connolly in 1972, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2013.
Other comedy greats who rose to fame after appearing at the Fringe include Rowan Atkinson, Sarah Millican and Peter Kay. While, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson brought their respective student works in 1980 and won the inaugural Perrier Award as a collective in 1981.
We’ve highlighted 23 great comedians who will make their Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut this year, see gallery below. And who knows, you might see them on your television screen soon?
17. Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes
Bringing Arthurian legend to the hallowed halls of The Pleasance Courtyard, comedian Em Humble’s Lady of the Lakes promises a fantastical fable of carefully constructed characters - wizards, goblins and cor blimey street urchins - all created and portrayed by Em. Lady of the Lakes is an interactive, delightful, mythical and absurdist quest that ultimately will determine who is fated to wield the legendary sword of Excalibur, illustrated by an elaborate tapestry (PowerPoint presentation) of short films and visual gags. Pleasance Courtyard - Below, 4.20pm, August 5-30, not 17th. | Matthew Wood
18. Kate Dehnert: Echo
When your life suddenly explodes, you are given few options on what to do next. Cut off all your hair? Empower yourself by gaining a monster truck license? Flee to a cult because you’re clearly bad at leading your own life? But what if you don’t particularly like Gatorade™? And what if you have nowhere to store a massive truck? Luckily for us, Kate Dehnert turned her pain into art. Echo is part comedy, part theatre, part heart-break rave centred on the recent blowing up of Kate’s entire life. She lost her relationship, her career, the country she called home and to top it all off - she nearly died. Now she’s ready to tell you all about it. Grab a drink and meet Kate Dehnert in the club. It’s a break-up show and it’s going to get raw. At Pleasance Courtyard - Baby Grand, August 5-30, not 13th or 24, 7.05pm. | Emma Holland
19. Sam Eley is Basil Crumbwick: Soul Sewage
London-based comedian Sam Eley makes his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut this summer with Sam Eley is Basil Crumbwick: Soul Sewage - a chaotic and absurdist character comedy hour centred around a deeply strange creation. Basil Crumbwick, a 64-year-old English weirdo navigating everyday life, influenced by Vic and Bob, Alan Partridge and Brass Eye, Soul Sewage is first and foremost, a fast-paced and absurd hour of comedy, packed with jokes, silliness and elements of clowning. Alongside this, it begins to explore something more through Basil’s relationship with his neighbour Beverly, someone he claims to hate, but who remains the only constant presence in his life. At Monkey Barrel 2, 11.25pm, August 3-30, not 18th. | Submitted
20. Conk: Man Sings the Same Song Over And Over Again For An Hour
One man. One song. One hour. Deliriously silly, mind-melting, chaotic cult comedy show which does exactly as it says on the tin. Winner of Melbourne Fringe: Spirit of the Fringe Award and Melbourne Fringe: Ed Fringe Touring Award. Adelaide Fringe 2026 Sell Out show. Presented by Quiet RIOT. At Summerhall (Red Lecture Theatre), August 6-31 (not 17, 24), 7.45pm. | Mjrsnaps