Outdoor Artists

Howdy, Artists. We’re happy you’re here! The 2026 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival will run August 13 – 23, 2026.

With hundreds of thousands of visits to Festival Grounds each year, Outdoor Artists play a big role in animating our Festival site. Outdoor programming is selected using a Lottery Draw. Artists may be drawn for a spot in the Festival or for a Waitlist spot.

Applications for the 2026 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival Lottery are now open. Click here to apply to the following categories via Eventotron by November 17, 2025.

Local, National, or International Indoor Shows
Theatre for Young Audience Shows
Outdoor Circle Shows

2026 Edmonton Fringe Festival Lottery Dates & Deadlines

October 6, 2025: Applications open for the Indoor, Outdoor, and Theatre for Young Audiences Lottery
November 17, 2025: Lottery applications close
November 24, 2025: Lottery draw takes place ️
November 24 – 28, 2025: Lottery winners are notified, and Festival fees are collected ️

Stay tuned for more information about the Bring-Your-own-Venue Program, Festival Guide and Technical information collection, Festival payout, and more!

Keep an eye on your Artist Update emails for more detailed information. Artist Updates are sent regularly and are your best source for up-to-date information and reminders. To sign up for Artist updates, scroll to the bottom of this page!

About the Outdoor Stage Program

Application Details

To apply to the Festival as an Outdoor Stage Artist:

Create a profile on Eventotron, or log into your existing profile.
On Eventotron, find the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, and follow the instructions presented to you.
Ensure you fill out the application to the best of your ability and pay the non-refundable Application Fee. See below for the current fee schedule.

If you’ve successfully completed the steps above, congrats! You’ve entered the Outdoor Lottery.

In late November, the Lottery Draw will take place at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns (and streamed online). Successful Artists will be notified by email the following day.

If you were drawn, congratulations! If you are successful, Fringe will require payment of the Outdoor Artist Lottery Fee within one week of the draw through Eventotron.

Outdoor Artist Support

Outdoor Lottery Artists receive:

Scheduled performance times on Festival site (scheduled by Fringe Staff);
Access to power and a suitable performance area;
Two Technicians and technical support as needed;
Secure on-site storage; and
Festival-wide show marketing strategies.

Artist Responsibilities

By applying to the Festival, Outdoor Artist agree to present a show that is:

Artistically driven
Within the 45-minute time slot (including setup and strike);
Suitable for all ages;
Inclusive, kind, and inviting to all Patrons in our community;
Considerate of active, ongoing, enthusiastic, and clear consent from all Audience volunteers selected to participate in the performance; and
Executed on time and on schedule.

About the Walk-By Busker Program

Check back in Spring 2026 for application details for the 2026 Festival Walk-By Busker Program.

Applicants agree to present 1-2 performances per day of up to 45 minutes in length, weather permitting, starting on the first Friday through the closing Sunday of the Festival. Walk-By Buskers may collect tips from patrons of their performance.

The criteria for performing on the outdoor site:

Abide by the laws of Alberta and Canada and is suitable for all ages; and
The content of the performance is artistically driven

Application Details

Walk-by Busker spots are filled using a lottery draw. Artists under the age of 18 who apply must list a parent or guardian as secondary contact in their application form.
The fee to participate in the Festival as a Walk-By Busker is $150, which is due at the time of application.
Artists not drawn for a Lottery spot may be drawn for a spot on the Waitlist. If a Festival spot does not open for an Applicant on the Waitlist, the Applicant will be refunded their application fee (minus the $15 + GST administrative fee) on or before August 14, 2025.
Lottery winners and Waitlisted Artists will be notified in mid-May.
Applicants accepted into the Festival may withdraw and receive a refund of their fees (minus the non-refundable application fee) until May 31, 2025. Withdrawals on or after June 1, 2025 will not be refunded.
The Company name, Show title, and primary contact cannot be changed once the application is submitted. Any changes to this information must be approved by Fringe Theatre’s Artistic Director.
Fringe Theatre will not accept “To Be Announced (TBA)” as a Show title or Company name. The Applicant must provide a name for both upon submission.
Applicants accepted into the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival cannot sell or transfer their Festival spot to another Company. If a company/individual is found to be in violation of any of Fringe Theatre’s application/participation policies the Applicant may be removed from the lottery draw or lose their performance spot and may forfeit all or part of the entrance fee.

Walk-By Busker Support

Fringe Theatre will provide the Applicant small pitches (2 meters in diameter) to perform on. These are for small walk-by busking and/or musical acts.
Fringe Theatre’s Outdoor Performer Manager will be on-site to ensure efficient operations of the pitches and assist as needed.
The Artist agrees to be arrive at the location twenty (20) minutes prior to the start of each performance, to set up within seven and a half (7 ½) minutes before the performance, execute the performance within the allotted time (maximum forty five, 45, minutes) and strike the pitch within seven and a half (7 ½) minutes if the end of the performance.
Fringe Theatre reserves the right to intervene and stop a performance at their discretion if they believe that there is an unsafe situation.

Artist Responsibilities

By submitting the application form, the Artist consents to the following terms:

The Artist will adhere to any applicable contractual obligations that may be required by professional associations, unions, and holders of copyrights for the performances. All payments required under such contracts will be made by, and are the sole responsibility of, the Artist.
The Artist agrees that the artistic content of the production will abide by the laws of Alberta and Canada.
The Artist is responsible for remitting applicable taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency.
The Artist understands that Fringe Theatre recommends that all Artists arrange for their own insurance coverage, including travel insurance, to cover their activities during the Festival. Need insurance for your show? Out friends at LloydSadd Insurance Brokers can help.
The Artist holds Fringe Theatre blameless and accepts full liability for any claims arising from these responsibilities.

Method of Payment

Fringe Theatre accepts credit card (Mastercard/Visa/American Express), certified cheque, money order, debit or cash.

Please Note: Fringe Theatre will only accept certified cheques or money orders payable to: Fringe Theatre Adventures

Fringe Theatre
10330 – 84 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6E 2G9
Phone: (780) 409-9000
Fax: (780) 431-1893
Website: www.fringetheatre.ca

Questions? We have answers. Please reach out to victoria.dejong@fringetheatre.ca

About the Outdoor Stage Program

Application Details

Outdoor Artist Support

Artist Responsibilities

About the Walk-By Busker Program

Application Details

Walk-By Busker Support

Artist Responsibilities

Method of Payment

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