Buxton Festival Fringe: Week Two Top Picks
The second week of the Buxton Festival Fringe is packed with incredible entertainment, from laugh-out-loud comedy and captivating theatre to live music, family shows and unforgettable performances.
With hundreds of events taking place across the town, choosing what to see can be difficult, so we’ve picked 12 events in week two that deserve a place on your Fringe itinerary!
1. Buxton Day of Dance
Buxton Day of Dance is an established part of the Fringe programme always draws the crowds! Traditional dancing from around the country will fill the streets of Buxton with all the music, colour, passion, energy and humour that the Morris brings. At least 15 morris sides will be visiting and entertaining everyone throughout the town.
⭐️ DANCE
🗓️ 18th July 2026, 10am – 5pm
📍 Around Buxton
🎟️ Free entry
2. High Peak Pride Picnic
An afternoon of fun, glamour and fabulous hats! There will be garden games, frivolities and of course Buxton’s Big Gay Bake Off opened and judged by Kate Butch. Bring your own picnic and meet us on the lawns to relax, laugh and celebrate life! No tickets needed: just wander along and join in!
⭐️ AND MORE EVENTS
🗓️ 18th July 2026, 1pm – 5pm
📍 Pavilion Gardens
🎟️ Free entry
3. Absolutely! One-Liner Jokes Kevin O’Brien
One-liner jokes show that talks about the important things in life where the jokes are delivered thick and fast. Part of Comedy at Lee Wood Hotel – 2 full weekends of shows at Buxton Fringe. Browse other shows and make an afternoon or evening of it.
⭐️ COMEDY
🗓️ 18th July 2026, 6pm – 7pm
📍 Lee Wood Hotel – Pendennis 2
🎟️ £8, Mildly adult themes, Ages 16+
👉 Click HERE to book
4. Hubert’s Buxton Ghost Walk – Hubert Hobux Haunted HeventsÂ
A guided walk around the parts of town which scarred Hubert Hobux for life and led him to become fifth columnist for the award-winning, paranormal glossy, ‘Haunted Magazine’. Walking, necromancy, tales of ghostly occurrence… dare you join him for haunted history hysteria?
⭐️ STREET THEATRE
🗓️ 19th July 4pm – 6pm, 20th & 24th July 7pm – 9pm, 25th July 4pm – 6pm
📍 Around Buxton
🎟️ £7.50 (Child Free, Conc £6), Paranormal experiment and eerie tales of a dark nature and mortality
👉 Click HERE to book
5. A Political Brunch – Chris O’Neill & Harun Musho’d
The 2025 Buxton and Edinburgh Fringe sell-out hit political comedy panel show returns, chaired by Chris or Harun with four comedians and the audience. ‘The comedians were on fire’ ****The National. ‘Great way to start the day’ The Scotsman. ‘Recommended as a very good way to start your day’ FringeReview.
⭐️ COMEDY
🗓️ 18th & 19th July, 12pm – 1pm
📍 Lee Wood Hotel – Pendennis 2
🎟️ £12, Swearing, Ages 12+
👉 Click HERE to book
6. Her Raving Mind – Sweet Productions/trÃada theatre
EL is not well. Lost in the toxic connections that have shaped her life. Memories – real, false, some not her own – surface in surreal therapy sessions. A Greco-British tragicomedy on the raving journey of a female abuse survivor. ‘An incredibly emotional piece of theatre’ **** One4Review.
⭐️ THEATRE
🗓️ 20th July 7pm – 8pm, 21st July 5.30pm – 6.30pm, 22nd July 4pm – 5pm
📍 Underground at Spring Gardens
🎟️ £12 (Conc £10)
👉 Click HERE to book
7. Can’t Get Out of This Mood – Basin Street Jazz & Blues
Acclaimed jazz quartet Basin Street once again celebrates the best in jazz from golden era legends such as Billie, Nina, Ella, through the decades to contemporary gems like Melody Gardot and Samara Joy. Sit back and enjoy expert, intuitive musicianship from the band and liquid vocals from Jules M Scott.
⭐️ MUSIC
🗓️ 21st July 7.30pm – 7.30pm
📍 Buxton Working Men’s Club – upstairs
🎟️ Child £8, Conc £10
👉 Click HERE to book
8. Closure Caberet – Maria Ansdell
How do you get over an ex? Play them on stage, naturellement! Hopelessly romantic emcee Razmatastique brings past lovers to the Closure Cabaret for one final performance. Absurd character comedy, sentimental storytelling and raucous audience participation turn heartbreak into hilarity in this solo clown show. ‘Masterful clowning’ A Young(ish) Perspective (New Writing)
⭐️ COMEDY
🗓️ 20th July, 7pm to 8pm, 21st July 8.30pm to 9.30pm, 22nd July 9.45pm to 10.45pm
📍 Underground at the Working Men’s Club (downstairs)
🎟️ Child £10, Conc £9
👉 Click HERE to book
9. Online Presence – Hard Times
A man receives an invitation from a mysterious functionary inviting him to participate in a programme designed to free up space and much-needed resources, and soon finds himself living his life mostly online. Queer dystopian romance from the winner of Buxton Fringe Spoken Word Award 2024.
⭐️ THEATRE
🗓️ 23rd, 24th and 25th July, 1pm – 1.45pm
📍 Underground at Spring Gardens
🎟️ Child £10, Conc £9
👉 Click HERE to book
10. Hannah Brine at the Fringe – Hannah Brine
Hannah is an exciting jazz singer-songwriter, likened to Melody Gardot, Norah Jones and Rumer. She is delighted to be returning to the Buxton Festival Fringe in 2026, having received its Award for Solo Vocal in both 2024 and 2025. ‘That voice, just wonderful isn’t it!’ Dean Jackson, BBC Introducing Midlands (New Writing)
⭐️ MUSIC
🗓️ 24th July, 7pm – 8pm
📍 United Reformed Church – Purple Room
🎟️ £15 (Child and Conc £13.50), Ages 8+
👉 Click HERE to book
11. Sip, Sit & Sketch – Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust
During the Fringe, the Pump Room (Buxton Visitor Centre) transforms into a sketcher’s haven. Buy a drink and borrow sketching and painting materials to capture the moment. Artistic inspiration flows where drinks and creativity mingle.
⭐️ VISUAL ARTS
🗓️ 18th July, 10am – 5pm, 19th July 10am – 4pm, 20th – 25th July 10am – 5pm, 26th July 10am – 4pm
📍 The Pump Room
🎟️ Free, donations welcome
👉 For more information, email: [email protected]
12. Comedysportz – Totally Improvised CompanyÂ
Two teams. One winner. No script! An award-winning comedy show that sees teams go for gold with quick-witted gags and games. Who wins? You decide! ‘Very, Very, Very Funny’ ***** Mix Up Theatre. ‘Gags and games galore’ **** The Derek Awards. ‘Celebrates the joy of improvisation’ **** Theatre Weekly
⭐️ CHILDREN’S EVENTS
🗓️ 25th & 26th July, 1pm – 1.55pm
📍 Underground at the Working Men’s Club
🎟️ £6.50, Ages 7+
👉 Click HERE to book
These are just 12 of the many brilliant events taking place during the second week of the Buxton Festival Fringe. For the complete programme, venue information and ticket bookings, visit the Buxton Festival Fringe website and start planning your Fringe experience today.
Need Help Finding Your Way Around the Fringe?
With hundreds of performances taking place across dozens of venues, there are several information points around Buxton where you can pick up programmes, ask questions and get advice on what’s happening throughout the festival. You’ll find friendly Fringe volunteers at:
- The Community Space on Spring Gardens for Underground Venues events
- The Pump Room (Buxton Visitor Centre) information desk
- The main Buxton Festival Fringe Information Desk in The Octagon Lounge, Pavilion Gardens
Whether you’re looking for last-minute recommendations, venue directions or programme information, these information points are a great place to start your Fringe adventure.
One of the things that also makes Buxton Festival Fringe so special is its commitment to being as accessible and inclusive as possible. Alongside its packed programme of ticketed performances, the Fringe also offers a fantastic selection of free events, making it easy for everyone to experience the festival regardless of budget.
From outdoor performances and live music to family entertainment, exhibitions and community events, there’s plenty to enjoy without spending a penny. You can browse the full list of free events on the Buxton Festival Fringe free events page
Buxton Festival Fringe
When: 8th – 26th July 2026
Email: [email protected]. T: 07591 013 554 (Fringe Information desk during Fringe only) or Fringe Marketing Officer and general enquiries: 01298 79351.
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