There’s a LOT of incredible queer talent at this year’s celebration of theatre and comedy
BY VEE WILSON, IMAGE BY STEVE ULLATHORNE
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival returns next month with a selection of shows even more energetic, daring and diverse than last year. Whether you come for the spectacular cabaret, the extraordinary theatre performances, or some of the most unique and hilarious stand-up, 2025’s line-up offers a variety of bold work that celebrates identity, community, and resistance. This year’s queer artists are delivering unforgettable shows across every corner of the festival; you’re sure to find something that you’ll love. Here’s our pick of the most exciting and unmissable LGBTQIA+ performances coming to the Fringe in 2025.
Margolyes And Dickens: More Best Bits
National treasure Miriam Margolyes returns to Fringe 2025 with more vivid Dickensian characters, wild tales about the man behind the classics, and a Q&A bursting with outrageous honesty. Guaranteed to shock, delight, and sell out…again. Don’t miss it!
Jessie Nixon
Jessie Nixon’s fearless debut blends stand-up, songs, and poems to explore class, queerness, polyamory, and shame with brutally honest humour.
See Jessie Nixon at The Crate, Assembly George Square from 30 July-24 August (not 11) at 7.20 pm.
Lily Blumkin: Nice Try
Award-winning writer and performer for The Daily Show, Lily Blumkin, makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut. This queer solo comedy unpacks identity, memory, and coming out through nine characters inspired by childhood keepsakes.
See Lily Blumkin at Blether, Gilded Balloon Patter House from 30 July-25 August (not 14) at 5.40 pm.
A Bisexual And A Boyfriend
Based on the podcast of the same name, comedians Ania Magliano (the bisexual) and Will Rowland (the boyfriend) come together in a playful exploration of the clashes and connections between queer and straight experiences.
See the show at Monkey Barrel 4, Monkey Barrel Comedy 6 August only at 11.55 pm.
Britt Migs: Dolphin Mode
Emmy winner Britt Migs uses stand-up, storytelling, and graphic design to unpack her divorce, chaotic dating life, and bisexual awakening in this sharp, queer, and hilariously unhinged Edinburgh debut.
See Britt Migs at Buttercup at Underbelly, George Square from 30 July-25 August (not 11) at 2.15 pm.
Delusional – I Killed A Man
Diana Salles tells a trans woman’s journey through aerial silks, song, dance and physical theatre. A bold, moving circus performance about identity, transformation, and living your truth.
See the performance at Main Hall, Summerhall from 31 July-24 August (not 6.12.19) at 3.05 pm.
DYKE Systems Ltd
In this drag satire on multilevel marketing schemes, girlbosses Sally and Susan recruit you to the Dynamic, Young, Knowledgeable Entrepreneur (DYKE) programme, exposing tangled ties between queerness, feminism, and capitalism.
See DYKE Systems Ltd at Cellar, Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July-25 August (not 6, 12, 19) at 3 pm.
Cameron Sinclair Harris: PLANETS!!!
Non-binary performer Cameron Sinclair Harris becomes every planet in a low-budget space comedy exploring loneliness, existence, and cosmic curiosity.
See the show at Front Room, Assembly Rooms from 31 July-24 August (not 12) at 5.05 pm.
Count Dykula
Gay goths do not fret; this one’s for you! Count Dykula is a butch, undead misfit battling busty vampire girls and gender norms at Scare University. This gloriously gory queer musical rages against conformity with blood, bats, and butch pride.
See Count Dykula at Ace Dome, Pleasance Dome from 30 July-25 August (not 12) at 5.30 pm.
What If They Ate The Baby?
Three-time Fringe First winners Xhloe and Natasha explore 1950s housewives, surveillance, and bodily autonomy in this absurdist, dystopian response to US reproductive laws.
See the performance at Upper Theatre at theSpace, Niddry St from August 1-23 at 9.25 pm.
A Drag Is Born
In this award-winning non-verbal show, clowning, drag, and lip-sync collide as one man transforms into the Queen of the Carnival, a demonstration of queer joy that reminds us it’s never too late to be your authentic self.
See the performance at Playground 2, ZOO Playground from August 1-24 (not 12) at 6.05 pm.
Alex Stringer: Happy Hour
Yet another Fringe debut not to be missed. Award-winning scouser and queer comedian, Alex Stringer, shares her wild journey to sobriety, reliving her drinking years and tackling addiction recovery with a dark humour and a big Liverpudlian heart.
See Alex Stringer at Bunker Three, Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July-24 August at 6 pm.
Apocalypse Cabaret: Songs for the End of the World
Scout Derwood stars as a karaoke jockey facing the apocalypse in this genre-defying mix of songs, comedy, burlesque, and queer cabaret chaos.
Mary O’Connell: Dilly Dally
Mary O’Connell explains what it’s like living with her family and boyfriend under one roof, unpacking eldest daughter pressure, interracial family dynamics, and generational chaos while her sister plans to marry herself.
See Mary O’Connell at Attic, Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July-24 August (not 11) at 7.15 pm.
Small Town Boys
Part of the Made in Scotland showcase, Small Town Boys is a dance-theatre celebration of 1980s queer joy, nightlife, and resistance during the AIDS crisis.
See the show at Main House, ZOO Southside from August 1-17 (not 4 and 11) at 7.15 pm.
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave
A 60-minute, high-energy queer rave where three dancers transcend limits through techno-fuelled movement, sweat, and euphoria – all to a soundtrack by Detroit DJ Suburban Knight.
See the performance at Main Hall, Summerhall from 31 July-25 August (not 6, 12, 19) at 6.05 pm.
Big, If True
Courtney Buchner returns to the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe with Big, If True — a chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt show exploring truth, storytelling, and oversharing. Blending stand-up, theatre, and queer absurdism, it questions memory, honesty and connection. Following a 2024 sell-out run and viral success, this genre-defying hour is unmissable.
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett
Bernie Dieter returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Club Kabarett — a bold, seductive spiegeltent spectacular blending dark comedy, circus and Weimar-inspired cabaret. With powerhouse vocals, wild acts, and fierce inclusivity, this sell-out show celebrates non-conformity, pleasure and provocation in a dazzling, genre-bending riot of music, mayhem and joy.
The Golden Wrath
Desiree Burch returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with The Golden Wrath — a fearless, hilarious deep dive into mid-life metamorphosis. Blending wit, rage, and raw honesty, she tackles perimenopause, lost illusions and hard-earned freedom. Fresh from rave reviews in Melbourne, this laugh-packed hour kicks off a UK tour through Spring 2026.
See the performance at Monkey Barrel, Barrel 3 from 28 July — 10 August at 5:40 pm.
Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me?
Jordan Gray returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? — a wild, fearless hour of musical comedy. Fresh from TV success and viral fame, Jordan blends razor-sharp wit, original songs and bold storytelling in a riotous, unapologetic celebration of identity, rebellion and joy.
Busy Body
Amy Annette returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Busy Body — a sharp, heartfelt and funny exploration of vulnerability, perception and ageing in a world obsessed with authenticity. Blending cultural insight with personal confession, Amy tackles everything from Ozempic to stuffed toys, delivering a witty, tender show about trying — and being seen.
See the performance at 33 Pleasance Courtyard — Baby Grand from 30 July — 24 August at 4:35 pm.
Iconic Breath
Jessica Fostekew’s Iconic Breath is a fiercely funny deep-dive into rage, empathy and identity. Blending personal storytelling with absurd humour, she unpacks inherited temper, emotional chaos and a dolphin-fuelled epiphany. It’s a wild, thoughtful and hilarious guide to staying sane —and kind — in a world that’s constantly on fire.
See the performance at Monkey Barrel 3 from 11-24 August at 5:40 pm. You can also see Jess on tour.
Degenerate
Maria Teresa Creasey’s Degenerate is a high-octane horror-comedy rampage through beauty, ageing and identity. Blending cult horror references with tap routines and deranged satire, she unpacks performance, self-worth and society’s obsession with youth. It’s a raw, bloody and hilarious spectacle that bites hard — and looks fabulous doing it.
Delusional – I Killed a Man
Diana Salles’s Delusional – I Killed a Man is a heart-stopping contemporary circus solo exploring transition and self-reinvention. Blending aerial silks, dance, singing and visceral physical theatre, Salles unpacks the haunting act of “killing” one’s former identity. It’s a powerful, moving and visually stunning journey into rebirth.
See the performance at Summerhall Main Hall from 31 July–24 August at 3:05 pm daily.
This Sh*t Happens All The Time
Amanda Verlaque’s This Sh*t Happens All The Time is a powerful one-woman drama about queer love and survival in 1990s Belfast. Blending tenderness with fury, it unpacks first love, rising threat and the weight of homophobia. It’s bold, darkly funny and quietly furious—a love story turned chilling reality.
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