About Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, house delegation
The Edinburgh Festivals are a crucial visit in the theatre calendar. Every year, house brings a delegation of venue representatives from across the network for four days in August. This year we're arriving on Monday 24 and departing on Friday 28 August 2026.
This is a great opportunity to see new and exciting work, connect with fellow programmers, and meet with artists, producers and companies performing at the festival. house also use the trip as a way to see work that could potentially tour across the region and to your venue.
house arranges 4 nights of subsidised accommodation, including breakfast for the delegation, staying at Pollock Halls, a student accommodation complex situated in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and a short walk from Edinburgh Old Town.
Connecting with the house network
We host a welcome dinner on Monday night to give delegates a chance to get to know each other and host a networking breakfast with artists and companies who are interested in touring their shows in the southeast and getting a chance to speak with the delegation. Attendance at both events is essential.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, we arrange informal meet-ups at the end of the day, giving delegates a chance to swap recommendations and talk about the work they’ve seen – and, on a more practical note, find people to walk back to the accommodation with. We also stay connected through an optional WhatsApp group.
The details
What is the bursary offer?
We are offering delegates:
- 4 nights’ accommodation, with breakfast (Mon-Fri)
- Our house delegation Monday night dinner
- Opportunities to connect with the house network throughout the week
Who can apply?
Any representative of a venue registered with the house southeast theatre network, who plays a role in programming at their venue, can apply for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe delegation
NB we cannot support more than one attendee from any organisation – this includes those that run more than one venue. Before applying, please decide upon the most appropriate person to attend.
Please note, we are accepting applications from those who have also applied to our Brighton Festivals Delegation 2026. However, if you have a preference – please indicate in your application.
My venue is an NPO, can I still apply?
Representatives from NPOs are welcome to apply though please explain in your application why your funding would not cover the cost of you self-funding this kind of trip.
Where is the accommodation?
We’re staying at Pollock Halls, a large student accommodation complex to the South of Edinburgh city centre.
While we can’t guarantee a specific room in a specific block, each delegate will have their own single room with en-suite facilities. If you have specific access requirements, please let us know in your application so that we can make arrangements beforehand.
What's included in the accommodation?
A self-service breakfast is available each morning in the conference centre and there is 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi throughout. The halls are very close to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat as well as the Commonwealth swimming pool. It’s a 12-minute walk to Summerhall, a 20-minute walk to George Square, and a 30-minute walk to Waverley station.
Buddy scheme
We love taking first-time attendees to Festivals, but know that the scale, and heading to a new city can feel daunting.
To support new delegates, we run a buddy scheme that partners first-time visitors with more experienced Festival attendees. If you are offered a place and would like a buddy, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can talk you through ways to put together your schedule, what programming the venues specialise in, and where you’ll find everything.
Sustainability and travel
The house team has pledged to travel up to Edinburgh in a more sustainable way. A five-hour train journey from Kings Cross to Edinburgh only emits 23.62 KG CO2 e, compared to 145.07 KG CO2 e emitted during the same journey via a commercial flight. This year we’re asking delegates to join us in a commitment to travel by train, coach, or car share.
When is the application deadline?
Monday 2 March 2026
When will I find out the outcome of my application?
All applicants will be contacted by email by Monday 9 March 2026.
If you have not been offered a place but decide to still come to Edinburgh between 24 and 28 August 2026, do let us know. You are most welcome to attend the networking events, including the Monday night dinner, and to join the WhatsApp group.