Just the Tonic has announced its biggest Edinburgh Fringe programme to date, presenting more than 215 shows across 19 performance spaces and six venues as it celebrates its 22nd year at the world's largest arts festival.
The 2026 season marks the venue operator's largest Fringe footprint ever, with expansion into West Side Rodeo (formerly Legends) and the addition of brand-new venue The Hive. The growth continues a remarkable two-decade journey for one of the Fringe's longest-running independent comedy operators, whose commitment to championing emerging talent has helped launch the careers of future comedy stars including Romesh Ranganathan and Sarah Millican.
At the heart of this year's programme is a particularly strong celebration of Scottish comedy. Following a sold-out Fringe run in 2025, Connor Burns returns to Just the Tonic alongside Scottish favourites Craig Hill and Karen Dunbar. They are joined by rising Scottish talent Daniel Petrie and The Edinburgh Society of Unapologetically Imperfect Mothers, as part of a programme that continues the venue's long-standing commitment to providing a platform for homegrown performers.
Alongside its Scottish talent showcase, the 2026 programme welcomes back a host of audience favourites and comedy heavyweights. Clinton Baptiste returns with his trademark clairvoyant chaos, while Simon Evans and Shooting Stars star Dan Skinner are also set to appear across the festival.
For lovers of classic British comedy, Peter Kay's An Afternoon with the Cast of Phoenix Nights offers a chance to revisit one of Britain's most beloved sitcoms, while Harry Potter actor and comedian Jessie Cave and social media phenomenon Ali Woods bring two of the UK's most in-demand comedy audiences to this year's Fringe.
Returning Fringe institutions also feature prominently across the programme. The International Fringe Burlesque Festival returns with another packed schedule of performances, while the legendary Big Value Comedy Show, hosted by Jake Patrick, once again delivers some of the best value comedy at the Fringe.
Audience favourite Comedy in the Dark also returns, hosted by Ben Silver. Performed in complete darkness, the cult Fringe hit strips stand-up back to its essentials, creating one of the festival's most unique comedy experiences. With acts such as Task Master’s Greg Davies, SNL UK star Paddy Young alongside Channel 4 comedians Finlay Christie, Mike Rice, Ed Night and Dan Tiernan, with further special guests appearing throughout the festival.
Across the programme, audiences can expect everything from breakthrough stand-up and household names to burlesque, alternative entertainment and theatre, cult comedy experiences and late-night Fringe chaos. While the scale of the programme continues to grow, the ethos remains unchanged: backing great acts, taking chances on new talent and creating spaces where audiences can discover something unexpected.
Darrell Martin, Founder of Just the Tonic, said: “This year we've got more shows than ever before, more performance spaces, more venues and, hopefully, more smiles to create. The outside world remains confusing enough, so we'll stick to what we know: putting comedians in rooms and hoping everyone has a good time. Or at the very least, a decent pint."
Just the Tonic's Edinburgh Fringe programme runs from 6–30th August 2026. To see the full programme https://www.justthetonic.com/pdfs/JTT_Edfringe_Brochure_2026.pdf
