The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, with over 3,000 shows. This year, Playbill will be going to Edinburgh in August for the festival and we’re taking you with us. Follow along with us this summer as we cover every single aspect of the Fringe, aka our real-life Brigadoon!

So, you've decided to come to the Edinburgh Fringe. Whether it is your first time visiting Auld Reeky or your 15th, Playbill is here to help you prepare for your adventure of a lifetime with the tips and tricks that will help you make the most of the biggest arts festival in the world.

READ: What is the Edinburgh Fringe and Why Is It So Big?

Playbill has teamed up with Shona McCarthy, the chief executive of the Fringe Society, to bring you the expert advice that can make your journey to the Edinburgh Fringe run smoothly. McCarthy, who is in her seventh year on the job leading the Fringe's support system, has held to guide the festival through some of its highest attended festivals, as well as the difficult COVID years.

Her key advice? "Don't be afraid to go off the beaten track! Edinburgh is one of those cities that's just got hidden secrets everywhere you go. Go on your own journey of discovery."

And this year, Playbill is co-sponsoring the official Fringe Festival app, making your own theatre-going experience even easier. But for those getting ready to go this year, in order to best prepare for your journey of discovery, McCarthy is helping you decipher some of the common Scottish terms you might hear while you're in Edinburgh.

Watch the video below to learn what to do when you hear "sláinte," how "close" is not a verb, and what it means when someone asks you, "what's the craic?"

McCarthy also has some handy tips on what to pack when you go to the Fringe (which is helpful for us since our team is leaving for Scotland in a week). See her packing recommendations here.

Finally, don't forget to check out EdFringe.com, where the Fringe Society has listings of just about every show that will be on offer during the festival: while half of the fun is discovering shows once you have arrived, it is a good idea to browse the offerings to get a sense of the selection, as well as make sure you have tickets in hand for your personal must sees. And when you go to the Fringe this year, make sure to download the official Fringe app, co-sponsored by Playbill. 

Make sure to check in with Playbill here on Playbill.com and on our socials at @PlaybillTravel as you're preparing for your trip to Edinburgh Fringe! We'll have you covered on which shows to go to, and what fun activities you can do between shows.