Edmonton fringe breaks all-time ticket sales

Organizers of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival say this year's event sold a record-breaking 138,500 tickets, bringing in $1.47 million.

Organizers of Edmonton’s fringe festival say its all-time box office record set in 2019 has been broken with 138,500 tickets sold.

“This milestone confirms what Edmontonians already know: Fringe is an essential part of our city’s cultural identity, an engine for artistic growth and a powerful driver of local economic impact,” said a statement from festival organizers on Sunday.

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This year’s festival had 490 sold out performances with 14 completely sold out runs. All ticket sales go back to artists, who this year, get $1.47 million back.

Last year ticket sales earned artists $1.39 million.

But while ticket sales were at an all-time high, Fringe Theatre is calling on the community to step up as donors.

“Monthly donors are critical to ensure fringe can continue supporting artists, providing free community programming and driving millions in economic impact for local businesses through tourism and spending,” said the organizers.

The festival has been struggling financially since the pandemic with costs increasing 8.5 per cent over 2024’s nine per cent.

If you aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to the fringe, the festival is extended from Aug. 27 to 30 for its Holdover Series at the ATB Westbury Theatre.

The series showcases four shows: A Cabaret of Legends, 52 Stories, Undiscovered Country, and Moonshine.

Tickets are $20 and are available at fringetheatre.ca. Select venues will also host encore shows.

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is known for being the longest running and largest of its kind in North America.