Where the global Fringe movement comes together
World Fringe Congress is our bi-annual meeting international meeting place for Fringe festival directors, producers, managers and cultural leaders. The aim of the Congress is to strengthen the World Fringe sector through learning, sharing, building relationships and the shape of the global fringe movement through collaboration.
Developed by World Fringe in partnership with the host festival, the Congress creates space for open conversation, shared learning and international collaboration.
More than a conference, the Congress is where lasting partnerships are formed, new ideas are explored and the collective knowledge of the Fringe movement continues to grow.
Why Attend?
No two Fringe festivals are the same, but many face similar opportunities and challenges.
The World Fringe Congress provides a unique opportunity to step away from day-to-day delivery and learn from colleagues working across different countries, cultures and festival models.
Delegates come to:
- Share knowledge and good practice.
- Explore new ideas and emerging trends.
- Build international partnerships.
- Develop touring and artist exchange opportunities.
- Discuss common challenges and opportunities.
- Strengthen the global Fringe movement.
- Build lasting professional relationships and friendships.
Every Congress is shaped by the people in the room, making each gathering unique while remaining rooted in collaboration, openness and mutual support.
A Congress with Lasting Impact
Since the inaugural World Fringe Congress in Edinburgh in 2012, the Congress has travelled across the world, bringing together hundreds of Fringe leaders representing festivals of every size and model. Together they have explored the future of Fringe, developed international partnerships and strengthened the relationships that underpin the global movement.
The Congress has been hosted by:
- San Diego, USA (2026)
- Stockholm & Turku (2024)
- Orlando, USA (2022)
- Adelaide, Australia (2020)
- Edinburgh, Scotland (2018)
- Montréal, Canada (2016)
- Edinburgh, Scotland (2014)
- Edinburgh, Scotland (2012)
Each Congress leaves a legacy—not only for the host festival but for the wider international Fringe community.
More Than a Congress
The conversations don’t end when the Congress closes.
Ideas developed during the Congress continue through the World Fringe network, informing new partnerships, supporting emerging festivals, shaping the World Fringe Launchpad and strengthening collaboration across the international Fringe community.
The Congress is one part of World Fringe’s wider commitment to connecting, supporting and championing Fringe festivals across the world.
Interested in joining the next World Fringe Congress?
Get in touch to find out more or register your interest.
World Fringe Congress 2026
Hosted in partnership with San Diego International Fringe Festival
, the 2026 Congress explored the future of the Fringe movement while strengthening connections across the Pacific and beyond.
The programme brings together festival leaders from around the world to share ideas, develop partnerships and shape the next chapter of the international Fringe movement.
World Fringe Congress 2024
Stockholm Fringe Festival
#STOFF2024
Location: Stockholm & Turku Åbo
Dates: 26 – 30 August 2024
Contact Us: wfc@stockholmfringe.com
https://stockholmfringe.com/wfc-2024
World Fringe Congress is our bi-annual meeting of Fringe producers, managers, directors and leaders. The aim of the Congress is to strengthen the World Fringe sector through learning, sharing and collaboration. After its launch at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012 the World Fringe Congress has traveled to Montreal, Adelaide and Orlando. 2024 is an exciting year as it is the first time co-hosted by two cities and in non-English speaking countries. I was privileged to be in Stockholm, in July 2016 when the Nordic & Baltic Fringe Network was born. Stockholm Fringe and all those in the Network continue to be a proactive and positive part of the World Fringe ecosystem. We are delighted to be generously hosted by STOFF this year.
Fringe World Congress 2022
May 19-23, 2022, Orlando, Florida, USA
Global Fringe meet of Fringe Festival producers and decision-makers, Following the disruption of COVID-19, delegates reunited to rebuild international relationships, exchange experiences and explore new opportunities for collaboration and recovery.
Hosted by Orlando Fringe
Fringe World Congress 2020
February 14 to 19, 2020, Adelaide, Australia
The global Fringe meet of Fringe Festival producers and decision-makers in 2020 took place as the global pandemic emerged. Conversations quickly shifted towards resilience, mutual support and the future sustainability of Fringe festivals around the world.
Hosted by Adelaide Fringe
Fringe World Congress 2018
16 – 20 August, Edinburgh UK
Hosted by Edinburgh Fringe Society.
Fringe World Congress 2016
16 – 18 November 2016, Montreal Canada
Hosted by the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) & Montréal Fringe.
The Congress took place at le Conseil des Arts de Montréal -and Théâtre MainLine Theatre – 3997 Boulevard Saint-Laurent.
World Fringe Congress 2014
Edinburgh Scotland
Hosted by Edinburgh Fringe
World Fringe Congress 2014 took place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest arts festival and the birthplace of the original Fringe from 15-17 August 2014. Hosted by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society it was attended by 56 delegates representing 38 fringe festivals from 15 countries across 4 continents.
World Fringe Congress 2014 was part of the Culture 2014 programme, which accompanied the Commonwealth Games which took place in Glasgow, and was funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland, EventScotland and British Council Scotland.
Hear what the 2014 delegates have to say about attending the World Fringe Congress.
World Fringe Congress 2012
Edinburgh Scotland
Created & hosted in partnership by Edinburgh Fringe & World Fringe
The inaugural World Fringe Congress took place in Edinburgh between 16 and 19 August 2012 and was attended by 74 delegates representing 47 fringe festivals from 16 countries across 6 continents.
The 2012 World Fringe Congress was part of the London 2012 Festival, the cultural celebration around the Olympic Games, and was funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland and British Council Scotland.
The panel discussions and workshop sessions were recorded and are freely available as a resource for anyone working at or interested in Fringes. Delegates explored the question “What is a Fringe?”, establishing the shared values and collaborative spirit that continue to shape the movement today.
Hosted by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the inaugural Congress brought together representatives from Fringe festivals around the world for the first time.
Delegates explored the question “What is a Fringe?”, establishing the shared values and collaborative spirit that continue to shape the movement today.
