Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is back - Get your tickets now!

The longest-running theatre festival of its kind in the U.S. returns to Orlando with over 1,000 ticketed shows, a free outdoor music festival, visual fringe, kids fringe and more.

It's back! The 35th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival returning to Loch Haven Park in Orlando from May 12 - 25, 2026. 

The 14-day immersive cultural experience features over 1,000 ticketed performances spanning a wide array of genres, such as theatre, dance, storytelling, musicals, comedy and much more. 

Orlando Fringe invites everyone to celebrate the festival’s official opening at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony onTuesday, May 12 at 7pm in the Silver Venue at Orlando Family Stage. 

After the ceremony, attendees can enjoy the National and International Artists’ Teaser Show and watch 90-second live teaser performances for touring shows representing 4 countries and 15 states this year. 

Tickets for the ribbon cutting and the entire festival are available for purchase now: www.orlandofringe.org.

Free festival highlights include the Outdoor Stage music and entertainment festival on the popular Fringe Lawn featuring top acts and events.  New this year, Orlando Fringe introduces Fr!ngeMart, a lively outdoor lawn market, and the first-ever Eco-Fringe Expo celebrating sustainability.  Festival goers can also enjoy themed lawn nights, special collaborations, storytelling events and nostalgic 35th anniversary experiences—including artist salons, poetry slams and interactive photo moments celebrating 35 Years of Weird and Wonderful. 

Visual Fringe presents art on display throughout festival grounds where all art is available for purchase, and Kids Fringe offers free entertainment and play activities for the young and young-at-heart returning weekends May 16-17 and May 23-24 at the Orlando Garden Club.  

The Orlando Fringe Festival unites local, national and international artists with the Central Florida community, creating a uniquely diverse arts experience.  As the longest-running Fringe in the United States, Orlando Fringe is founded on being: 100% uncensored, 100% unjuried, 100% accessible, 100% inclusive and 100% of all tickets go directly back to the artists.  “35 Years Weird” is the theme for this year.

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As Orlando Fringe celebrates 35 years, the Festival continues its core mission: creating an accessible space where artists can take risks, share their work and connect directly with audiences.  In keeping with that mission, 100% of ticket sales go directly back to the artists, supporting independent creators and their work.  Audiences are encouraged to lean into the unknown and embrace the weird, the new and the unexpected by taking a chance on something they might not normally choose.

“Fringe only works because of the exchange between artists and audiences,” says Artistic Director Tempestt Halstead.  “Take a chance.  See something you would not normally pick.  Walk into a room without reading too much about it.  Those are often the shows people end up talking about the most.”

Centralized in Loch Haven Park, the festival features five venues and Visual Fringe HQ at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, four venues at Orlando Family Stage and Kids Fringe at the Orlando Garden Club.  BYOV’s (“Bring Your Own Venues”) this year include Renaissance Theatre Company,  The Starlite Room @ Savoy, B-side at Ten10 Brewing Co. and a new location Ivanhoe 1915, along with various site-specific venues chosen by artists. 

The Outdoor Stage returns to the lawn with live entertainment and the return of the Late Night Tent.  Printed and digital programs continue from Fringe partners at Watermark Out News, as well as Box Offices located at both the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center and Orlando Family Stage.  All ticketed shows are free - $15, and entertainment on the Outdoor Stage, at Kids Fringe and Visual Fringe is free, allowing audiences to choose their own Fringe adventure.

“May in Orlando means Orlando Fringe, and this year is even more special as we celebrate 35 Years Weird!” says Orlando Fringe leadership team Tempestt Halstead, Melissa Fritzinger and Genevieve Bernard.  There is truly no place else like Fringe where artists show up exactly as they are and audiences experience something unlike anything else – the weird, wacky, heartwarming, incomparable and fantastically Fringe-y.  From the artists and patrons to the staff and volunteers, Fringe is a closely connected family that grows each year, and we can’t wait to join together over an unforgettable two weeks and celebrate 35 Years Weird with everyone.”

For more information on Orlando Fringe 2026 and to purchase tickets, visit www.orlandofringe.org, and contact the Box Office: 407-648-0077.

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