Hamilton Fringe Festival

The Hamilton Fringe Festival, founded in October 2002, is an 11-day unjuried theatre festival that happens every summer in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. Fringe Festivals have become one of the most popular and most successful theatre events in the world since the first one was launched in Edinburgh Scotland in 1947. They are worthwhile in several ways, but most particularly because they focus on supporting new and emerging artists presenting innovative theatre to wider audiences. This commitment to the "Fringe" philosophy allows virtually any size company to participate, representing an unequalled opportunity for performing artists of all disciplines.

Presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment, the Fringe strives to break down traditional boundaries between audience and artist, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Audiences are invited to experience the work of seasoned veterans alongside that of emerging artists. Local, national and international performing companies benefit from working together and learning from each other in a vibrant and exciting festival atmosphere. In order to stimulate artistic innovation, applications for participation in Fringe Festivals are accepted on a non-juried lottery.