A Local’s Guide to the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024

The Dublin Fringe Festival is one of the city’s most exciting cultural events, offering artists a platform for innovation in theatre, dance, music, and more for three decades. Since the festival began thirty years ago, it has become a space for emerging artists and experimental performances, bringing thousands of people to Dublin to enjoy the festival every September.

In this blog, we’ll give you everything you need to enjoy the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024, including key events for 2024, tips for attending, and how to experience the festival like a local. 

What is the Dublin Fringe Festival?

The Dublin Fringe Festival was established in 1995 with a mission to provide a platform for fresh, bold, and innovative performances. It has since become one of Ireland’s most important cultural events, showcasing both local and international talent across multiple art forms. With a focus on experimentation and pushing creative boundaries, the festival is renowned for its mix of performances, from avant-garde theatre to immersive dance, and everything in between!

The Dublin Fringe Festival is held every year, usually during the month of September, across different venues in the city and offers attendees a truly unique experience, with performances taking place in theatres, pop-up spaces, and even outdoor locations. 

To celebrate 30 years of the Dublin Fringe Festival, the 2024 edition will run from September 7th to 22nd, featuring a fantastic lineup of Irish and international artists, with performances spanning across dance, theatre, comedy, and visual arts, with something for every taste. 

Venues and Locations for the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024

This year, Dublin Fringe Festival will host 520 performances in 29 venues, using both traditional and non-traditional, and indoor and outdoor spaces across the city. 

Some of Dublin’s most iconic venues, like Smock Alley Theatre and the Project Arts Centre, will host many of this year’s performances. Another must-visit is The Lir Academy, home to some of Ireland’s top talent. Visiting these cultural institutions is a great way to explore Dublin city itself. Walking between the different locations, exploring the streets can give visitors a unique perspective on Dublin, from its rich history to modern innovation and everything in between.

Dublin Fringe Festival © Fringe Festival Website

How to Get Tickets for the Dublin Fringe Festival

This year’s Dublin Fringe Festival will present 53 world premieres, 9 Irish premieres and 7 Dublin premieres, and over 500 artists are set to take over the city, so as you can imagine, securing your tickets in advance will ensure you don’t miss out on must-see performances!

Luckily, getting tickets for the Dublin Fringe Festival is simple! Tickets are available directly through the official Fringe Festival website, where you can browse the full schedule and book in advance. Many events sell out quickly, especially for popular performances, so booking early is essential.

The festival also features a variety of “pay what you can” and free performances, making it accessible to all. Be sure to check out the festival’s last-minute rush tickets for sold-out performances, as they sometimes release more spots close to showtime.

Dublin Fringe Festival for First-Timers

If you’re attending the Dublin Fringe Festival for the first time, get ready for an unforgettable experience. The festival has a friendly, laid-back vibe, making it easy to mingle with some performers and fellow attendees. The festival is a community event, so we recommend being open to conversations with other attendees, as that’s where you can often get the best tips about must-see performances! The most important thing to remember is that the key to a memorable Dublin Fringe experience is to stay open-minded and embrace the creative energy of the festival.

Dining and Nightlife During the Festival

The Dublin Fringe Festival isn’t just about performances—it’s also a great time to explore the city’s dining and nightlife scene. Near some of the popular Fringe venues like Smock Alley Theatre and Project Arts Centre, you’ll find plenty of local favourites for a quick bite. For a coffee and treat try Two Pups, or for a lunchtime feed, check out Brother Hubbard North.

After a show, Temple Bar offers lively pubs, including The Temple Bar Pub, Dublin’s most iconic pub. Here where you can enjoy live music and a pint to wind down the evening. Feeling peckish? The Temple Bar Pub offers a delicious food menu until 8PM from Sunday – Thursday and until 7PM on Friday and Saturday. 

Overall, the Dublin Fringe Festival 2024 promises an incredible mix of performances, at iconic venues across the city. Attending the festival is the perfect opportunity to experience innovative theatre, live music, and contemporary art from the current and new generations of Irish and international performers.

Thank you for reading our blog ‘A Local’s Guide to The Dublin Fringe Festival 2024’. Attending the Fringe Festival this year? Visit us in The Temple Bar Pub for live music and a pint, and soak in the lively festival spirit!