The longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival in the United States will return for its 32nd year this May to Orlando and will feature every genre imaginable, including drama, dance, musicals, comedy, burlesque, puppetry and more.
Orlando’s 14-day immersive cultural experience, the 32nd Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival will return from May 16 through until May 29, 2023.
Organizers have revealed that the theme for this years Fringe is "Festival Beautiful" in honour of our beautiful city of Orlando, and to celebrate the welcome return of select events to downtown.
Orlando Fringe Executive Director Alauna Friskics commented “As we enter into our 32nd year, we reflect on how far we’ve come. We began Downtown in empty storefronts and on Church Street, and here we are again – full circle – back on Church Street decades later with the recently celebrated opening of our year-round venue Fringe ArtSpace, expanding our programming from Loch Haven Park with more shows, more activities and more art than ever before.”
Featuring over 2,000 ticketed performances, this year's Fringe Festival will also include free events, including an outdoor music festival called Visual Fringe, which will feature displays of art, while Kids Fringe will provide weekend play and entertainment for younger audience members .
Loch Haven Park will continue to be the main campus for the festival including the much loved theatrical and musical performances on the lawn, with programming also returning to the Renaissance Theatre, Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Garden Club, Orlando Repertory Theatre, and the Orlando Museum of Art, as well as the welcome return downtown at Fringe ArtSpace.
There will also be bring your own venue partners, The Abbey, Savoy Orlando and Stardust Lounge.
“There’s nothing like Orlando Fringe,” Friskics said. “I hope everyone sees lots of shows, meets lots of new people, reconnects with lots of old friends and are moved by something they experience.”
While not revealing the full Fringe calendar of events for 2023, a selection of events has been announced to wet our appetites!
Tuesday, May 16
Official Festival Opening with National/International Artist Teaser Show
Monday, April 17
Local Artist Teaser Show
May 17 -2 9
Fringe Festival programming
Monday, May 29
Patrons Pick Day and Closing Ceremonies
Tickets for the festival will go on sale starting April 17. For more information, click here.
Highlights of Orlando Fringe
Outdoor Stage
There’s nothing better than fantastic live music under the stars. Every night of Fringe is filled with free live performances on our Outdoor Stage.
The Free Outdoor Stage is home to The Swamp Sista La La, Jambando, Southern Fried Sunday and many more themed nights.
At Fringe, you could hear jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Folk, and even Tiki by a group of ukulele players.
Visual Fringe
Lining the walls of the festival are pieces of art on display from Visual Fringe. These pieces are for sale and 100% of the purchase cost goes directly to the artist.
Stop by the Visual Fringe table in The Lowndes Shakespeare Center to meet a rotating group of artists and see live demonstrations.
Kids Fringe
Kids Fringe is the free kids festival within the big festival. It’s free for everyone to attend and takes place in and around The Orlando Garden Club.
Kids Fringe takes over the entire inside and outside of the building and fills it with free arts and craft activities for children. On the Fringezilla Mainstage, artists present special children’s theatre performances.
Outside, the green space is filled with animal meetings, painting, puppet parades, and more.
Special Events
Orlando Fringe hosts numerous special events during the festival.
Some of the can’t-miss events each year include, Tonight at Midnight with Rauce Padgett, The Flashlight Cabaret, as well as Opening Night parties, special free guided tours, and more.
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