Ventnor Fringe, returning from 17th-26th July 2026 for its seventeenth year, has announced a bumper programme featuring over 130 different shows, spanning circus to comedy, cabaret to family shows, along with hundreds more free events, a street food market and new live music venue.
Originally founded by local teenagers, Ventnor Fringe has become an Island success story, selling over 13,000 tickets in 2025 and increasingly attracting artists from around the world, many previewing shows en route to the world’s largest arts festival in Edinburgh.
It remains proudly independent, locally run and not for profit.
A Fringe Village at its heart
Big tops, spiegeltents and pop up theatres will appear throughout the town for ten days, with a Fringe Village in Ventnor Park, free to enter, providing a vibrant central meeting place.
Here you can find live music and street theatre every day, as well as a sensational food line up that includes Iranian, Mexican, American, Italian, Tibetan and Greek cuisines.
New late-night venue
After a busy day watching shows, the new Club Lunar venue at Flowerbrook will take the part into the evening, with a cocktail bar, hand curated DJs and late night cabaret every night.
Special guests headliners include The Turbans, bringing together Arabic, Balkan and Turkish traditions, Latin cumbia project Malphino, Bristol’s riotous folk sensation Ushti Baba, brass party band Tube Libres and Brooklyn psych collective Evolfo.
Secret Shows return
For the adventurous, the festivals’ trademark Secret Shows will take audiences to mystery locations hidden throughout the town.
In the past this has included underground bunkers, an 11th century chapel, warehouse and private homes.
How to find out more
To explore everything announced today visit the Ventnor Fringe website.
Tickets and information is also available from the Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW, open every day.
News shared by Jack on behalf of Ventnor Fringe Festival. Ed
