Tuesday October 27th 2026
Street performances during the bEdinburgh vFestival Fringe (photo by David Monteith-Hodge)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A new survey has been launched to assess the economic, social and cultural impact of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including how attending the event affects people’s wellbeing.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are inviting audiences to complete a questionnaire examining the festival’s contribution to the local economy and its influence on visitors’ happiness, social connections and quality of life.
The study is the first economic impact assessment to focus exclusively on the Fringe and the first to investigate whether attending the festival has a measurable effect on wellbeing.
The survey asks about attendance, ticket spending, overnight stays and money spent at restaurants, bars and other local attractions.
It also explores whether the festival helps people feel more connected to others, inspires creativity, exposes them to new ideas and encourages them to try new experiences.
Professor Murray Pittock, pro-vice-principal at the University of Glasgow, is leading the research, which is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) World Class Laboratories.
He said: “When we think about the value of the Fringe, it is about much more than ticket sales and visitor spending. The festival brings people together, exposes audiences to new experiences and ideas, and can have a lasting impact on wellbeing.
“This survey will help us understand not only the Fringe’s economic contribution, but also the social and cultural benefits it delivers to those who attend.”
The questionnaire will also examine how Edinburgh itself contributes to the festival’s appeal, including the city’s cultural reputation, hospitality and atmosphere.
Researchers are seeking to capture both the benefits and challenges associated with the Fringe, with respondents able to highlight pressures on accommodation, local infrastructure, public services and the environment.
Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said audience feedback would help the organisation better understand the festival’s impact in Scotland and beyond.
He said: “Audiences from Scotland and around the world are central to the success of the Edinburgh Fringe, and their experiences can help the Fringe Society to better understand the impact the Fringe has as a global expression of culture in Scotland.
“I encourage anyone with a stake in the Fringe to complete the University of Glasgow questionnaire. It is a vital opportunity to ensure the Fringe audience’s views are represented and to help shape the findings.”
Mr Lankester added that the research would help demonstrate the festival’s contribution to Scotland’s cultural economy and its role in providing opportunities for emerging performers.
Professor Pittock was commissioned by UKRI World Class Laboratories in summer 2026 to carry out a year-long investigation into how the Fringe supports jobs, businesses and Scotland’s wider cultural economy.
Professor Christopher Smith, executive chair of UKRI’s Arts and Humanities Research Council, said the research would help improve understanding of the value of culture and inform future policymaking.
He said: “This survey uses as its laboratory one of the greatest single cultural festivals in a city full of heritage and with a global reach. I look forward to seeing how the results will deepen our understanding and enrich our policy making in Scotland and beyond.”
The 2026 Fringe issued more than 2.8 million tickets, attracted around 750,000 attendees and supported an estimated 3,000 jobs. More than 4,200 shows took place, featuring artists from Scotland, across the UK and overseas.
The festival has also served as a launchpad for performers including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Richard Gadd, Susan Calman, Sir Billy Connolly and Alan Cumming, alongside bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Idlewild and Snow Patrol.
The next Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from August 6 to 30, 2027, marking its 80th anniversary.
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