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The Edmonton Fringe starts tonight, August 13. Opening ceremonies are at 7PM, with shows starting in the 8PM timeslot. It's just evening shows for the opening night and with about an hour per show and walking between that means you could, potentially, see three shows tonight.
Let's get you into some good ones.
The 8PM slot
110% Wizard (2026) 5 out of 5 stars Returning · 2025
Previously: 100% Wizard 5 out of 5 stars (2025)
Open your fringe with a bit of magic. There's something poetic about being wow-ed by your first show of the Fringe, and Keith can absolutely do that.
I've seen his show in the past and it's really, really good magic.
Chase Padgett: The Next Guy (2026)
Fresh off great reviews at the Winnipeg Fringe, Chase Padgett is bringing his show here. Chase's ability to constantly create new shows, and land all of them is incredible. You won't be disappointed opening with this one.
I've seen a couple of his previous shows in past years, and can offer no notes.
A word of warning if you were planning on Bat Boy: The Musical (2026), you probably can't. The 8PM slot is just about sold-out at time of writing.
I'll be going to Sketchy Broads presents: Resting Bitumen Face (2026).
Mid-evening
Weird Al Karaoke: The Greatest of the Bestest Hits (2026) 4 out of 5 stars Returning · 2025
Previously: Weird Al Karaoke: The Best of the Very Best 4 out of 5 stars (2025), Weird Al Karaoke 5 out of 5 stars (2024)
9:45pm: I'm heading to Weird Al Karaoke. Even if I didn't have a couple friends performing in it (which I do), this show is simple, uncomplicated fun and it'll give me some ear-worms to hum throughout the night.
Weird Al Karaoke is not, as the name would suggest, performing Weird Al songs. This is a show that runs all year, where local performers write original parody music to popular songs. The best of the best (or in this case the "Greatest of the Bestest Hits") are selected for Fringe. You're getting the cream of this crop.
Between the Covers (2026)
10PM: Between the Covers is romance-novel inspired burlesque, from the team that produced the held-over Bump and Grindhouse show last year.
In general, I'm not a huge fan of burlesque. I just get tired of whooping and cheering, but I know the performers generally want that and so I end up just getting very, very tired. That said, I did see Bump and Grindhouse last year, and had a great time. It was creative, spooky, but still gave all the things you'd want out of burlesque.
It should go without saying though, don't bring kids to this one.
MUTTNIK (2026)
10pm: MUTTNIK, a one-man show about the first dog in space. It's based on the true story of Laika, who the soviets sent up to space, but based on past work from this performer (like COWberet), I expect creative liberties to be taken.
Bruce Costella does wonderful physical comedy work. I expect this to be engaging storytelling.
The late show
Sleep is for the weak. Stay up and Fringe.
Evie and Alfie: A Very British Love Story (2026)
11:59pm: This is your only chance to see this show.
Evie and Alfie plays six times this Fringe. Five of those performances are already sold out.
Midnight opening night is a tough sell, but you don't want FOMO do you? Tonight isn't just your best chance to see it, it's your only chance.
If you want to stay up a bit less late, there's an 11:30pm showings of Field Zoology 301 5 out of 5 stars (2024), which earned five stars from me in 2024.
I'll be doing the 11:30pm showing of A Hellmark Christmas Musical Parody (2026), a show I recommended as one of the great musicals on offer this Fringe.
Reviews will start landing on the site as soon as I start seeing shows, and the ticket availability report is already tracking what's selling out. All of these posts will automatically update with stars as I've seen the shows.
See you on the grounds!