Murray Wood: A fair to remember
The exhibitions are on in Saskatoon and Regina this week. Murray Wood thinks they're fun, but they're just not the kind ...
The 2026 edition of the Saskatoon Fringe Festival kicks off on Thurs, July 30, bringing a host of eclectic shows and performers from around the world to W.E. Graham Park and the surrounding area.
Philippa Williams, community relations manager with 25th Street Theatre joined The CKOM Morning Show to give host Mark Loshack a preview of this year’s event.
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Listen to the interview here:
Here are five things you should know about the 2026 Fringe:
There are 25 theatre shows and three main Fringe venues
Shows will be hosted at Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre, the Broadway Theatre and the Refinery. All three are air conditioned.
If you’re having trouble deciding which shows to attend, a preview night being hosted will feature a two-minute sneak peek of each show. It will be held Wednesday, July 29 at 8:00 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre.
Performers that weren’t selected for the main festival will still be able to hit the stage
Grace-Westminster United Church will host shows for performers who weren’t drawn for the Fringe lottery. They rent the venue directly and take on more of the production costs, all for the love of performing.
“We have a Bring Your Own venue where three artists are coming from out of town just to to join along in the sun because they didn’t get selected in the lottery, but they still wanted to show Saskatoon a good time,” Williams said.
The event will expand out onto Broadway Avenue
Broadway Days will see Artisan Alley expand to the area between 10th Street and 12th Street on Broadway, with more artists, vendors and circle buskers from Aug. 1-3.
The festival will expand out from the area around W.E. Graham Park during Broadway Days. (650 CKOM file photo)
The festival has expanded beyond shows
In addition to shows, street performers, food and souvenirs that fans of the Fringe have come to expect, the festival is offering more this year.
“We’ve tried this year to really jam pack the full event with special activities. We’ve got trivia on one day and a 5K fun run on the other day. Ground yoga joining us for yoga in the park again,” Williams said.
“We’ve got the balloon princess coming and doing balloon twisting, and we’ve even got a bouncy castle on the last Friday.”
The full schedule and more information about the 2026 Saskatoon Fringe Festival can be found on the 25th Street Theatre website.
Expect the unexpected, theatrically
The festival continues to highlight avant-garde productions, that are on the fringe, according to Williams.
“Fringe was established as a bit of an artistic rebellion, but it is just an explosion of creativity and celebrating artists who colour outside the lines,” she said.
Road restrictions
The City of Saskatoon said Broadway Avenue will be closed between 10th Street East and 12th Street East from Sat., Aug. 1 to Mon., Aug. 3.
“Various road restrictions will occur on 11th Street E, Dufferin Avenue and 12th Street E from Monday, July 27 to Monday, August 10, 2026, for the Saskatoon Fringe Festival,” the city added in a statement.
“Detour signs will be in place to guide motorists around the event area.”
