Camden Fringe is a major annual performing arts festival in London that celebrates experimental and emerging work across theatre, comedy, dance, cabaret, spoken word and more. Founded in 2006 as an accessible alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe, the festival takes over multiple venues throughout the borough of Camden each August, with performances often staged in pubs, black‑box theatres and traditional spaces alike. With over 400 shows from established companies and first‑time artists alike, Camden Fringe offers a lively platform for diverse voices and creative risk‑taking. Its growth reflects London’s rich fringe ecology, supporting artists at all stages and inviting audiences to discover bold, innovative work. 

Dates

Camden Fringe takes place each summer in August (traditionally running for about four weeks). In 2025 it ran from 28 July to 24 August and the 2026 festival is scheduled 3 – 30 August. 

Number of Shows

In recent seasons the Camden Fringe has grown to include over 400 different shows across more than 30 venues in and around North London. 

Founded

The first Camden Fringe took place in August 2006 at the Etcetera Theatre, featuring 57 performances by 22 acts over a four‑week period.

How Camden Fringe is programmed

Artists apply directly to participating venues, not through a central jury or selection panel. 

The festival is uncurated, meaning there is no artistic gatekeeping—anyone can take part, regardless of experience level.

Once accepted by a venue, acts register with the Camden Fringe team for inclusion in marketing, ticketing, and listings.

The festival team provides centralised support, promotion, ticketing, and coordination across venues, but the creative control and production are led by the artists and companies.

info@camdenfringe.com

Wandsworth Arts Fringe (WAF) is an open‑access annual festival that animates the London Borough of Wandsworth with hundreds of cultural events across theatre, performance art, music, exhibitions, comedy and experimental work. WAF brings performances to streets, parks, galleries, studios and unusual venues throughout the borough, creating a playful and inclusive atmosphere where artists and audiences connect. With events ranging from cutting‑edge theatre to pop‑up concerts, outdoor spectacles and family activities, the festival champions accessibility and creative freedom. In 2025 it forms a core part of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture. 

Dates
Wandsworth Arts Fringe most recently ran from 6 – 22 June 2025, spanning 17 days of performances and events across the borough. 

Number of Shows
For 2025 the festival featured around 180 events taking place in approximately 65 venues across Wandsworth. 

Founded
Wandsworth Arts Fringe has been running for over a decade and celebrated its 16th edition in 2025 as part of the borough’s year as London Borough of Culture. 

How Wandsworth Arts Fringe is programmed
WAF operates on an open‑access model, meaning there is no central jury or artistic gatekeeping — artists and creative projects register directly to take part and join the broader festival calendar. Once included, events receive centralised support, promotion and marketing coordination from the organising team, but creative control stays with the individual artists and venues. This approach encourages broad participation from professional companies, grassroots groups, community performers and experimental practitioners alike. 

General email
Most WAF enquiries are managed through the Wandsworth Council Arts team via the contact page or a general events email form found on the Welcome to Wandsworth site (often through submissions and enquiries for WAF).

Wanstead Fringe is a vibrant annual arts festival in East London that showcases an eclectic mix of theatre, music, performance, walks, talks, film, comedy and local cultural experiences across Wanstead and its surrounding neighbourhoods. The festival brings together local artists, visiting performers, community groups and creatives to animate parks, pubs, churches, halls and outdoor spaces with accessible and engaging events. In 2025 the programme featured more than 100 events spanning theatre, immersive experiences, guided tours, family activities and live performance. Wanstead Fringe fosters community participation, creative exploration, and connection through art and culture in a welcoming local setting. 

Dates
In 2025, Wanstead Fringe ran from 6 September to 27 September with programming throughout the borough. 

Number of Shows
The 2025 festival included more than 100 events across at least 13 venues in and around Wanstead. 

Founded
The festival began around 2013, growing from small community roots into a recognised local arts event over the last decade. 

How Wanstead Fringe is programmed
Wanstead Fringe operates on an open and inclusive participation model. Artists and companies propose shows and events directly to the Fringe organisers or through future venue arrangements, and there is no central artistic gatekeeping panel limiting access. Participating artists handle their own arrangements with venues, while the festival team provides marketing, ticketing, seasonal listings, and brochure distribution across the community. This community-driven approach allows a broad range of creative work to be included. 

General email
For general enquiries and submissions: info@wansteadfringe.org (as used in theatre applications and general info on the official site).

Peckham Fringe is an annual performing arts festival rooted in community, creativity and accessibility, centred around Theatre Peckham and expanding into neighbouring spaces such as Canada Water Theatre. Now in its fourth year, the festival showcases theatre, dance, spoken word, comedy, music and experimental performance by both emerging and established artists. Its community‑curated programme reflects Peckham’s diverse voices and cultural landscape, with work that tackles identity, social themes and bold artistic expression. By breaking down barriers to presentation, Peckham Fringe provides crucial stage time and audience engagement for creatives in South London. 

Dates
In 2025, Peckham Fringe ran from 1 May to 6 June with daily shows throughout the period. 

Number of Shows
The 2025 programme included nearly 30 shows across multiple venues including Theatre Peckham’s Main Theatre, Studio 1 and Canada Water Theatre. 

Founded
Peckham Fringe was established four years ago, growing into an annual festival that champions local and emerging artists with community input and curation.

How Peckham Fringe is programmed
Peckham Fringe features a community‑curated model where Theatre Peckham’s Ambassadors (local creatives and community members) work with the theatre’s artistic team to select shows that reflect the diversity and spirit of Peckham. Artists are invited to submit proposals and performances are chosen to ensure a varied, representative lineup. The festival continues to expand its footprint, bringing fringe work to multiple stages and expanding opportunities for artistic voices. 

General email
The general enquiries and submissions for Peckham Fringe are typically managed through Theatre Peckham’s box office and contact channels or via the festival’s social links (e.g., via the Theatre Peckham contact form or Instagram @thepeckhamfringe)

Deptford X Fringe is the grassroots performance and contemporary arts strand at the heart of Deptford X Festival, London’s long‑running free annual arts celebration. It showcases the rich diversity of the local creative scene by placing artist‑led projects in everyday and unexpected locations across Deptford, from shopfront windows and cafes to community spaces, outdoor installations and unexpected public places. In 2025 the Fringe featured more than 100 artist‑led projects involving over 500 artists across visual art, performance, workshops, participatory events and tours. Its inclusive, site‑responsive approach invites bold experimentation rooted in community and context. 

Dates
Deptford X Fringe took place as part of the 26th Deptford X Festival from Friday 11 July to Sunday 27 July 2025, spanning 18 days of art and events in and around Deptford. 

Number of Shows
In 2025 the Fringe programme included over 100 artist‑led projects with hundreds of creative participants and events across multiple venues and public spaces. 

Founded
Deptford X began as a free visual arts festival in 1999 and has evolved into an 18‑day summer festival, with the Fringe as a core strand that foregrounds artist‑initiated work across diverse media and spaces. 

How Deptford X Fringe is programmed
The Fringe is artist‑driven and open to local participation. Artists, collectives and community groups propose projects that are situated in and around Deptford — in everyday environments, public spaces, venues and pop‑ups — with support from the Deptford X team. This open, place‑responsive approach emphasises local context, encourages experimentation, and values creative responses that are embedded in community life. The festival provides centralised promotion, maps and coordination, while participating artists manage their own project planning and presentation. 

General email
For general enquiries about the Deptford X Festival and Fringe: admin@deptfordx.org (Deptford X production team contact).