25 tips on making the most of Edinburgh Festivals

Fireworks mark the end of last year's Edinburgh Festival

1. Cat Cubie, presenter

“I have always loved the Fringe and even performed in it a few times when I was younger. When I was wee, I’d try to befriend the folk walking the streets in costume (usually not too difficult to spot) and attempt to persuade them to give me free tickets or discounts. If that doesn’t work for you, The Mound’s always a good place to hang out for free performances - last year I saw an awesome beat-boxer there and he was one of my Fringe 2012 highlights.

“For me, the Fringe has always been as much about the people you meet as the shows. My favourite place for that has to be the Spiegeltent or the Pleasance Courtyard. There’s always this amazing feeling of camaraderie, everyone talks to everyone, and it’s like you’re all in the great performance of the Fringe together.

“My final piece of advice, however, is never, ever go to the toilet during stand-up. I did it once and spent ten minutes dancing around bursting while the comedian took the piss out of me!”

2. Kath Mainland, chief executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

“What’s important is not ‘surviving’ the Fringe but enjoying it. Leave space to soak up the experience of just being part of the world’s largest arts festival. Be open to meeting new people and don’t be afraid to take a few risks with what you see. Deciding what to see and fitting it all in can be the biggest challenge, but this year there are 22 new ticket collection points across the city to help you plan your time more efficiently. Oh, and don’t forget to bring good shoes!”

3. Greg Proops, comedian,

“Pace yourself over the festival - it is a long haul. I find a steady diet of chips keeps one in fighting trim. Drink outside if you can, in a light rain if possible. Never commit to anything that starts before noon. If the poster quotes The Scotsman, go. If the poster claims the performer is “magic” then avoid at all costs.”

Greg Proops, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 31 July-14 August; Greg Proops: The Smartest Man In The World Podcast, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3, 10, 15 August

4. Roland Gulliver, associate director, Edinburgh International Book Festival

“Feeling a little broke but fancy a show and a drink? Check out Unbound in the atmospheric Guardian Spiegeltent at Charlotte Square Gardens. From 9-11pm from 11-26 August, nights of surprises, discovery and literary entertainment await. It’s free and unticketed, and the bar stays open late. Plus thanks to Jura whisky there’s a free dram for everyone.

“A sneaky way to see some of the best authors at the Edinburgh International Book Festival for free is to attend the Ten at Ten, 10am daily in Charlotte Square Gardens. For ten minutes a chosen author will read from their new book. You’ll even get a free packet of Paterson’s biscuits.”

5. Colin Hoult, comedian

My favourite place to hang out during the Fringe is my bed. My favourite venue to play is Upstairs at Pleasance where I am doing my comedy show. Haven’t actually played the Roxy yet but I’m sure that will be joint favourite after this fest. To keep my sanity, my wife preserves it in a jar and gives it back to me at the end of the festival. Never leave the house without nunchucks, and if I knew where to reap the freebies I wouldn’t tell you.”

Real Horror Show, Assembly Roxy, 1-26 August; Wardens, Assembly Roxy, 1-26 August; Colin Hoult: Characthorse, Pleasance Courtyard, 31 July-26 August

6. Jenny Éclair, comedian

“Never leave your accommodation without a bottle of water and a banana - these things give you something to do when you’re alone and don’t want to have to pretend to be on your phone again. The banana will also give you a banana skin to slip on should you feel like entertaining the crowds - make sure you have a hat to collect money in. You can get into shows free by pretending you’re ‘on the door’. All you need is a black t-shirt, a lanyard and at least one facial piercing.”

Jenny Éclair: Eclairious, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 2-17 August

7. Karen Koren, artistic director, Gilded Balloon

“My top tips for Edinburgh might seem contrary to each other, but they are essential to having the best experiences at the best festival in the world. My first tip is to take risks! Go to see shows you haven’t heard of before. I am a big believer in giving emerging and unknown people a chance - it might be terrible, but you might also catch a glimpse of a star on the rise. I first saw Tim Minchin at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival when he was performing to rooms that were only half-full, and there were just whispers in bars about a wild-haired pianist you simply had to catch. You have to keep your ear to the ground to catch the insider gossip of which shows are must-sees!

“My other tip is simple - get plenty of sleep. I don’t stay out too late these days, or at least I pick my special nights where I hit the town! If you are going to drink, don’t drink during the day - it makes a big difference. I simply can’t enjoy my whole festival if I am too tired and grumpy. I want to be alert and in good spirits when I go along to see the next big name I’m about to discover!”

8. Grant Stott, broadcaster

“My best tip is to experience George Square during the Fringe: great atmosphere into the wee small hours. Especially if the weather’s nice! Get there sharpish to avoid queuing. Also very handy for the Gilded Balloon where I hear there’s a very exciting new play debuting at 6:45 each night.”

Kiss Me Honey, Honey! Gilded Balloon Teviot, 31 July-26 August (excl. 12 August)

9. Oliver Lansley, artistic director, Les Petits Theatre Company

“My festival essentials are an umbrella, Berroca and a liver transplant booked for September. Other than that, many a hangover has been cleansed by a full Scottish breakfast at The City Restaurant on Nicolson Street - they do a variety of sizes (mini, midi or maxi!) and come with the works; potato scones, black pudding, haggis, hash browns... My general choice is the midi with a potato scone on the side - that’ll blow the cobwebs away.

“There’s also a cracking little café just up the road from the Pleasance Courtyard called BBL, run by the loveliest Scottish ladies you’re ever likely to meet. They’ll make you fresh sandwiches, bacon butties or serve you with all sorts of delicious hot lunches (neeps and tatties anyone?) - not to mention the best pecan slice in Edinburgh! Nice cheap prices too.”

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaur, Underbelly McEwan Hall, 31-26 August

10. Rob Broderick, comedian, Abandoman

“With sold out shows, a few tickets are usually held back in case press come by late in the day. If these tickets aren’t being used, they’re put back on sale shortly before the show. Ask the box office staff nicely and they might give a clue as to when these tickets will be released (usually about 10 or 15 minutes before the show) - that way, you can bag a last minute ticket to your show of choice.”

Abandoman: Moonrock Boombox, Underbelly Bristo Square, 31 July-26 August

11. Emma Sergeant, performer with Knee Deep

“My top survival tips: a constant caffeine supply at Kilimanjaro’s; stunning frocks are completely acceptable any time of the day and I believe to be encouraged; one sleep in a week does amazing things for sanity and vitality; cups of tea are acceptable at 2am and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise (as are espresso martinis – I recommend the Artist Bar for a good chinwag and a good price); when you’re feeling a little “showed-out” break through the barrier and go for a genre you don’t normally gravitate toward; a bicycle is an amazing way to get to shows on time.”

12. Sue, comedian

“Sometimes, when everything gets a little too much during the festival, I like to take a leisurely stroll up Calton Hill to escape the noise. You can see the whole of the city from there, and I really enjoy sunbathing underneath the National Monument. As it’s based on the Athenian Parthenon I’m partial to pretending I’m a Greek harlot. Most of all though, I prefer to go up at night for a spot of stargazing. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe; even for a single woman. This is because there’s usually so many kind men up there, smiling and hugging enthusiastically, and occasionally even the police run around with torches so I don’t get lost.”

My Name is Sue, Underbelly Bristo Square, 12-26 August

13. Lady Rizo, cabaret performer

“I always like to take a little longer of a walk from my flat to the venue through the Meadows. It’s a nice reminder that not everyone’s life is running around shows. I love the juxtaposition of the sweaty collegiate soccer scrimmages right next to the expansive tents of the preening Lady Boys of Bangkok.

“I love being in the magic AstroTurf garden that Assembly makes out of thin air in George Square. The lights and the Speigeltent give it an old world carnival flair. Grabbing a pint or a tea and gathering around the picnic tables is so enjoyable. The only annoying thing is that some students who seemed as if they had no intention of seeing any shows would occasionally sprawl out in precariously placed social piles on the ground. I tripped over a couple on the way to a show and at least they knew who Lady Rizo was after a tongue lashing.”

Lady Rizo, Assembly Checkpoint, 1-25 August

14. Luke Wright, poet and broadcaster

“Climb Arthur’s Seat! It has to be done at least once per Edinburgh. Bad reviews and tiny audiences don’t seem nearly so bad or tiny when you are on top of a mountain. Ok, it’s not an actual mountain but I’m from Essex, it’s a mountain to me.”

Luke Wright: Essex Lion, Assembly George Square, 1-26 Aug (excl. 13 August)

15. Steve Forster, publicist, SFP Communucations

“For those of us at the Fringe for the full run, do pace yourself. I find Saturday nights are good to stay in. The pubs, venues and festival bars are full to overcrowding and you get to feel righteous and alert on Sunday morning when everyone else is hungover or still sleeping it off. And remember that fruit beers, cider and hops don’t count towards your five a day!”

16. Juliette Burton, performer

For a great brunch try Broughton Street Deli; for a healthy pick-me-up try a juice from Beetlejuice near the Counting House, and for friendly service (and also to buy a raffle ticket to win the oil painting involved in When I Grow Up!) head to Joseph Pearce’s bar on Elm Row. For quiet middle-of-the-Fringe internet access head to the Radisson bar, where even on busy days at last year’s Fringe there was a peaceful atmosphere to have a mid-festival meltdown.”

Juliette Burton: When I Grow Up, Gilded Balloon, 31 July – 26 August (excl. 13 August)

17. Mark Restuccia, performer

“If you decide to date someone while you’re up performing at the Fringe, be sure to find somewhere away from the festival to take your potential love interest. I’ve found a very discreet location for this. It’s called Glasgow.”

Mark Restuccia: The Diary of a Serial Internet Dater, Just the Tonic @ Bristo Square, 1-25 August (excl. 13 August)

18. Fred Macaulay, broadcaster

“The best way to survive the Fringe and keep your sanity is read all your reviews, even the bad ones, and remember that you’ve got gigs in September once it’s all over regardless of what they’ve said about you!”

MacAulay & Co starts its Edinburgh festival run on 5 August

19. Tom Turner, performer

“A top tip for survival is a good pair of shoes and eating as much food as you can. One does a lot of walking in Edinburgh and if you don’t eat you’ll end up looking like a skeleton with skin (in a good pair of shoes).”

The Grandees: The Wrong Side of the Door, Underbelly Cowgate, 1-25 August (excl. 2 and 24 August)

20. Joe Bor, performer

“Make friends with a comedian: you may be able to get free tickets off them and it’ll make them happy as the chances are they don’t have many friends. But don’t ask them to tell you a joke, they hate that.”

Joe Bor: Joe Bor is Jasper Cromwell Jones, Gilded Balloon, 31 July-26 August (excl. 7 and 14 August)

21. Doug Segal, performer

“In the first week most of the big promoters will give away a small number of tickets in the last half hour before the show to ensure full houses during previews. Be really nice to uniformed flyering teams and chat to them right before show time. The Gilded Balloon have daily half price and two for one deals so always check the boards inside their box office. And finally, Union Of Genius on Forrest Road serve huge bowls of freshly made soup at a pittance, making it the healthiest and best value lunch in the Old Town.”

Doug Segal: I Can Make You a Mentalist, Gilded Balloon, 31 July-26 August (excl. 13 August)

22. Matt Green, performer

Favorit just by Bristo Square does food late into the night - I have been resuscitated by one of their toasties many times. If you want to escape the Fringe, just head into the St James’ Centre. A place of normality amongst the swirling festival madness just outside. Plus good pound shops. Vittoria is a good place to eat on George IV Bridge. It’s always busy but they seem to have a maze of never-ending extra rooms so you can almost always get a table. Brass Monkey (Drummond Street) is one of my favourite little bars in Edinburgh; it’s just down the road from the Pleasance and includes a room of mattresses perfect for post-show lounging and/or getting to know each other.”

Matt Green: Alive, Pleasance Dome, 31 July – 25 August (excl. 12 August)

23. Amée Smith, performer

“Prove your Fringe credentials by showing how many times you’ve been before. Don’t brag about yourself though, that’s showing off, just point out where everything used to be but now isn’t: that was Susie’s Diner… there is where a Chocolate Soup used to be… once there were plans for trams to go along here… Now you’re a fringe guru and your views are to be trusted and revered.”

Knightmare Live, Gilded Balloon, 31 July-25 August (excl. 14 August)

24. Lucy Porter, comedian

“My survival tip is just to eat whenever you can. The food in Edinburgh is amazing - from the baked potato shops to the fancy restaurants - and if you’re dashing from show to show you’ll be burning off a lot of calories from all the walking, laughing and crying. Also, that way when you inevitably end up in one of the bars drinking until 4am, you’ll have plenty in your tum to soak up the booze. If you do still get a hangover I recommend a fry-up at the City Café.”

Lucy Porter – Northern Soul, The Stand Comedy Club, 31 July-25 August

25. Sam Wills, comedian

“My advice to festival-goers is remember to go off the beaten track at least once or twice. This could be going to find new places to have lunch, just to break your daily routine or in regards to shows, not going to see the show with the biggest posters or biggest publicity but going to watch something unknown - that is a true Fringe festival experience.”

The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape, The Pleasance Courtyard, 3-24 August