Orlando’s fine arts scene is one of the best in the country.
Every year, our venues host some of the world’s biggest superstar musicians and performers, touring productions of renowned Broadway shows, and epic headliners from around the world.
While it’s always exciting to see your favorite recognizable artists, the heart of Orlando’s art scene is in its local events, like the Orlando Fringe Festival.
This world-renowned celebration of the arts showcases independent artists from all over the globe.
This year’s festival, held May 13 – 26, 2025, is sure to be the biggest and best Orlando Fringe Festival yet.
What is a Fringe Festival?
The term “Fringe Festival” originated in Scotland in 1948.
Several artists, upset at being excluded from the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, decided to perform their shows at inexpensive or free venues around the “fringes” of the city.
These unconventional works soon began to draw attention, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival became a showcase of independent artists from around the world.
To this date, Edinburgh Fringe is the largest running Fringe Festival in the world, with over 3,800 shows performing in their three-week 2024 season. Over 2 million tickets were sold.
Since 1948, dozens of Fringe shows have popped up around the world.
In the United States, the Orlando Fringe Festival is the largest and longest running.
Every year, Orlando hosts hundreds of artists and hundreds of thousands of audience members for an unjuried, uncensored celebration of artistry.
Shows are selected through a lottery process, meaning you’re just as likely to see a show from a first-time performer as a returning veteran of the stage.
This two-week festival is the perfect opportunity to experience some of the world’s most innovative, imaginative, and sometimes downright bizarre performances.
And there are so many reasons people have been returning to the festival year after year for over 30 years.
Here are our suggestions for 5 can’t miss experiences at the 2025 Orlando Fringe Festival.
See a Show…or Seven
To see a Fringe show, you’ll need to purchase a button for around $10.
This is the only money that returns to the Fringe Festival; 100% of ticket proceeds go directly to the artists themselves.
Your button is a one-time purchase that then grants you access to buy tickets for any performance you choose.
Once you have your button, you can purchase show tickets online or through the Orlando Fringe app.
With the majority of the festival’s shows held in venues at Orlando Shakes, Orlando Family Stage, and Orlando Museum of Art, all of which are in Loch Haven Park, you can hop from one show to another with ease.
Typically, after the festival’s first few days, there will be buzz around the best performances of the year and the festival’s breakout hits.
But once word begins to spread, you’ll want to get your tickets quickly. Many venues are intimate and sell out fast.
Some shows at Orlando Fringe are intended for the entire family to enjoy. Others are for mature audiences only.
In any given season, you can find musicals, one-person shows, puppet performances, parodies, drag shows, avant-garde pieces, stand-up comedy, and more.
Every show is original and can be seen for around $10 per ticket.
Enjoy Dinner and Drinks on The Lawn and Take in a Concert on the Outdoor Stage
There is a large central lawn in Loch Haven Park between Orlando Shakes, The Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art, and Orlando Family Stage.
For Orlando Fringe every year, the lawn transforms into a gathering place for artists, audience members, and the greater Orlando community.
There are dozens of food trucks (including the recurring favorite peddling Wisconsin cheese curds), an Orlando Fringe bar tent, outdoor art displays, and seating.
There is also a stage set up in a covered tent where you can catch live musicians performing most nights.
It’s the perfect space to grab a bite to eat between shows, order your favorite cocktail, and enjoy some live music as the sun goes down.
Take your Little Ones to Experience Kids Fringe
Held on the weekends during Orlando Fringe, Kids Fringe is a fully family-friendly celebration with art, live performances, storytelling, and play.
It’s the perfect opportunity to let your kids express themselves, use their imaginations, and socialize with other kids in the community.
Head to the Orlando Garden Center in Loch Haven Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays of the festival to take advantage of amazing free entertainment everyone will love.
Browse the Art Galleries at Visual Fringe
Visual Fringe is the art portion of festival displaying a variety of artwork from artists around the world.
Similarly to Orlando Fringe’s performance pieces, artwork is selected through a lottery, meaning anyone can participate.
You’ll see paintings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, photographs, drawings, and a variety of other mediums on display.
Every piece is for sale, and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the artist.
Take the time to browse the Orlando Fringe galleries, art markets, and selfie backdrops, or attend an art class or workshop to express your own creative side.
Support Young Artists at Fringers of the Future
Orlando Fringe is also a huge supporter of young artists.
Their Fringers of the Future program is a lottery open to middle school and high school artists and programs who are interested in bringing a performance to the festival.
All application and performance fees are waived, and 100% of ticket proceeds return to the school or program.
Additionally, Orlando Fringe hosts workshops and coordinates mentorships for young participants with industry professionals from around the world.
This incredible opportunity allows young artists to express themselves and share their creativity while also bringing audience members amazing shows from young performers.
Stay at Rosen Shingle Creek for your Orlando Fringe Festivities
Rosen Shingle Creek is the perfect home base for your itinerary of Fringe activities.
When you’re not taking in shows, enjoying a drink and cheese curds on The Lawn, or partaking in some of the world’s best people-watching, you can relax by one of our four pools or treat yourself to a round of golf.
Our elegant, comfortable accommodations are ideal for restful nights so you can refresh your energy for Fringe fun and festivities.
