Your Safety Comes First
Fringe is no stranger to a little weather. Rain showers, sunny afternoons, and dramatic prairie skies are all part of an Edmonton summer. But as our weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, we continue to expand our emergency planning to help us respond quickly and thoughtfully when severe weather rolls in.
Throughout Festival, our team actively monitors weather conditions and works closely with professional weather monitoring services and emergency response partners. Every decision we make is guided by one priority: keeping our community safe.
To the first responders, City crews, utility workers, fellow event planners, and emergency personnel who have worked around the clock to care for Edmonton through this summer’s storms: thank you. Your work makes gatherings like Fringe possible.
Safety decisions aren’t always convenient – but they’re always made with care.
We understand weather-related interruptions can be disappointing. Thank you for trusting our team and supporting one another while we navigate changing weather conditions together
What May Happen During Severe Weather
Outdoor performances including KidsFringe, pêhonân Series, Free Music Series, Outdoor Artist programming, and other activities may pause until conditions improve.
Beer tents, Festival patios, Artisan vendors, Food vendors, and other outdoor spaces may temporarily close during severe weather.
Some Festival spaces may be closed or access routes adjusted while our teams assess conditions and ensure the site remains safe.
Most Fringe performances take place indoors, so ticketed shows will usually continue as scheduled even if it’s raining. In the rare event that severe weather affects the safety of the audience, Artists, Staff, or venue (for example, a power outage or flood), our technicians may pause or stop the performance and provide clear direction to audiences based on the situation. This may include remaining inside the venue until weather passes or evacuating if it is safe and necessary to do so. If this happens, we’ll communicate next steps as efficiently as possible.
In rare cases, performances or Festival programming may be cancelled if conditions do not improve or if it is unsafe to continue.
Staying Informed
If weather impacts Festival operations and/or public safety, we’ll share updates through:
- Announcements on the Festival Grounds;
- Verbal instructions from Fringe Staff;
- The Fringe Theatre website; and
- Official Fringe Theatre social media channels.
Conditions can change quickly, and our response may evolve as the weather changes.
If We Need to Evacuate
If severe weather presents an immediate risk to public safety and/or Festival operations, we may ask everyone to leave the Festival site. Should an evacuation become necessary:
- Follow Staff direction. Our Staff team will guide guests based on the nature of the emergency. Please follow all instructions from Festival personnel.
- Use the exit closest to you. The Fringe Festival Grounds are an open access Festival site with multiple entrances and exits. Depending on where you are and where you are headed, Staff may direct you to the safest or most efficient route off site. Refer to our Site Map to familiarize yourself with the Festival Grounds.
- Plan your trip home. There are many ways to travel to and from the Festival, including walking, cycling, Edmonton Transit Service, rideshare, taxi, and personal vehicle. Consider which option is best for you should severe weather affect your plans. Please visit our Getting Here page for transportation information.
- Avoid temporary structures. Do not seek shelter under tents, trees, temporary staging, or other temporary structures during severe weather.
Once conditions are safe, we’ll communicate next steps. Our goal is always to reopen Festival spaces and activities as soon as it is safe to do so.
If We Need to Shelter in Place
In some situations, remaining indoors is the safest option. If we ask guests to shelter in place, our Staff will provide clear instructions based on the conditions at the time.
Whenever possible, Festival venues that can safely do so will welcome members of the public into their lobby spaces. The Fringe Theatre Arts Barns lobby (10330 84 Avenue) is open from 10am – 1am throughout Festival and may be used as a temporary shelter during severe weather events, subject to capacity and operational needs.
Returning to Festival
Once conditions have improved, our team will carefully assess the Festival Grounds, venues, and infrastructure before reopening programming.
We’ll communicate updates and next steps through our Staff, on-site announcements, our website, and social media channels. Our goal is to welcome everyone back to Festival as soon as it is safe to do so.
A Few Ways You Can Help
Check the weather forecast before you head to Festival.
Wearing clothing and footwear suited to changing conditions.
Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and rain gear.
Allow extra travel time if severe weather is expected.
When thunder roars, go indoors.
Follow directions from Festival Staff and remain calm if conditions change while you’re on site.
Thank You
The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is built on community.
During severe weather, our Staff, Volunteers, and operations focus on caring for that community by following protocols that prioritize health, safety, and wellness.
Thank you for your patience, kindness, and cooperation as we work to make every Festival experience as safe as it is unforgettable.
Emergency Weather FAQ
Light to moderate rain doesn’t typically stop the fun. Ticketed performances take place indoors and will continue even if it’s raining. Outdoor Festival programming often continues during ordinary summer weather, including light to moderate rain. However, severe weather – including lightning, high winds, hail, extreme rainfall, or other hazardous conditions – may require us to pause, delay, modify, or cancel outdoor programming. This may include KidsFringe, pêhonân Series, Free Music Series, Outdoor Artist programming, and other activities.
Our team continuously monitors weather conditions throughout Festival using professional weather monitoring services and in consultation with emergency response partners.
If conditions become unsafe, trained Festival staff will determine whether outdoor programming should pause. They will also assess whether the Festival site should be evacuated. Every decision is made with the safety of our audiences, Artists, Volunteers, Staff, and community as our highest priority.
Often, yes! Indoor shows typically continue when it’s raining. However, even though ticketed theatre performances take place indoors, severe weather can affect audience movement, Artist safety, technical operations, and access to venues. Some performances may be paused or cancelled if weather conditions make it unsafe to proceed.
If a performance cannot proceed because of severe weather or another emergency, we’ll communicate next steps as quickly as possible. Information regarding ticket options will be shared through our Box Office.
If Fringe cancels a performance due to an emergency, we’ll provide information about available ticket options as soon as possible. Please note that policies may vary depending on the circumstances, so we appreciate your patience while our team works through the safest and fairest solution.
Please follow directions from Fringe Staff, Security personnel, or emergency responders. Depending on the situation, you may be directed to leave the Festival Grounds or move to a safer location nearby. Please avoid gathering under tents, trees, or temporary structures.
It depends on the nature of the emergency. In some situations, remaining inside a venue may be the safest option. In others, the entire site may need to be cleared. Our Staff will provide clear instructions based on the situation.
We’ll share updates as quickly as possible through:
- Announcements on the Festival Grounds;
- Fringe Staff and Volunteers;
- Our website; and
- Official Fringe Theatre social media channels.
Because weather can change rapidly, information may evolve as conditions change.
A little preparation goes a long way!
- Check the weather forecast before you head to Festival;
- Wear clothing and footwear suited to changing conditions;
- Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and rain gear;
- Allow extra travel time if severe weather is expected;
- When thunder roars, go indoors; and
- Follow directions from Festival Staff and remain calm if conditions change while you’re on site.
Every event site is different. Weather decisions depend on many factors, including site location and layout, temporary structures, programming, crowd size, available shelter, and guidance from emergency management professionals. Our decisions are based on the unique conditions at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival and are always made with community safety as our highest priority.
Your Safety Comes First!