Day 1

Morning

Start off your weekend with a visit to Art-House-Life. Located at 35 Madeira Road which has been transformed from a residential home to an amazing gallery space, holding selected local, national and international artists and their innovative and exploratory lens-based media. Ensure to book to experience the wonders of their art for free!

Afternoon

Release your own artistic side, and head down to Ventnor Park where you can find loads to do including Art in the Park. Whilst getting creative with the provided easels and materials, enjoy the amazing music at the Bandstand, all for free.

Evening

Head over to The Magpie for a laugh for the 2023 Sky Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, Ahir Shah. For £16, you can watch his stand up show Ends, about family, immigration, marriage, history, politics and beans. 

Running total at the end of Day 1: £16

Day 2

Morning

Start your day at the Maker’s Market at St. Catherine’s church, and browse the stalls of all kinds of makers including, art, jewellery, crafts and cosmetics. Outside of the church is where you can also find the book bus. A 1930’s Parisian bus as well as a book market, home to many books where you can pick up a book from just £5. Why not head over the road and treat yourself to a coffee and Ventnor Exchange for just over £3.

Afternoon

Continue on to Ventnor Putting Green to watch ‘The Guy In The Luggage Rack’. A free show where you will  experience the silly to the sublime to the scary to the ridiculous. This is a  performance by She Said Jump, about Daisy facing the grief from her mother’s death.

Evening

Soak up the atmosphere for the rest of the day at the Fringe Village and enjoy some free jazz music in the Nest from 7 to 9pm. Finishing your day off at the Big Top bar with a DJ set from Coco Phono, which is also free entry.

Running total at the end of Day 2: £24  

Tips For Keeping Costs Down

1.) £2 Bus Fares

Bus prices are currently capped at £2 per journey, so save yourself the fuel and parking costs and head to Ventnor on the bus. This year there is also a shuttle bus connecting the town and Fringe Village in Ventnor Park. 

2.) Invest in a Culture Pass 

If you’re planning to see a lot of shows and you’re good at booking in advance, it might be worth investing in a Culture Pass which costs £35 and gets you access to loads of ‘2for1’ deals. 

4.) Bring your friends along!

Many shows offer discounts for groups, so bring your family or friends along with you and make some big savings.

5.) Free Fringe 

Grab a copy of the Fringe Review paper from Ventnor Exchange or any of the main venues for daily listings of the free events taking place around the festival. There is live music performances in the Fringe Village and Fringe Square everyday. 

By Eleanor Newton

Ticketing 

Is there a single ‘all inclusive’ Ventnor Fringe ticket? 

No, all events at Ventnor Fringe are ticketed individually so you can pick and choose whatever you’d like to see, and set your own budget. There are also loads of free shows and events to explore.

Why isn’t there the option for an all inclusive Ventnor Fringe ticket? 

Partly because the size of different venues varies considerably. Our smallest venue has a capacity of 10, and the largest 500, so we couldn’t guarantee which shows you could get into!

Secondly, the majority of the money from every ticket sold goes directly to the artist you are watching, so in choosing who to see you’re deciding who to support. Artists who do well are likely to return so the audience helps shape what the programme of the festival will look like. 

Do you charge booking fees?

No, we’re very proud to be one of the few events not to charge any booking fees at all. 

Can I get a refund/cancel my booking?

From the moment that the transaction is completed, all Ventnor Fringe tickets are non-refundable unless a show is cancelled or the particulars of the show change in a substantial way (For example, the date of the performance is changed) that results in you being unable or unwilling to attend, in which case we will let you know and reimburse the price of the tickets as soon as possible.

Can I amend by booking?

Tickets can be changed for a different date of the same show but will incur a £1 fee per ticket. This can only be done over the phone or in person at Ventnor Exhange of the Fringe Village Box Office Tent. Unfortunately we can’t exchange tickets for different shows.

Do I need to print my tickets?

In general when booking in person, over the phone or online you will be sent ‘e-tickets’ to the email address you provide. We do not post physical tickets in an effort to reduce waste.

All Ventnor Fringe venues will accept digital copies displayed on a phone or tablet to avoid you having to print tickets at home. If you loose your tickets you will need to show ID to be allowed entry. This must be a Passport, Driving Licence or Pass Card.

Physical tickets are available on request when booking in person from Ventnor Exchange if you do require these. 

Do babies need tickets?

You do not need to book tickets for babies ‘in arms’ who will be allowed into performances for free. Anyone who requires a seat will require a ticket. Generally we consider this to be those aged 2+ 

Do you offer concession prices?

Each individual show decides its own ticket prices and any concessions they want to offer. There are often discounts for children (normally this is offered right up to those aged under 25) and group bookings. 

Can I book tickets on the door?

Tickets can be booked online right up until the event, or until they sell out! If buying in person you can book tickets during the event from Ventnor Exchange or the Fringe Village Ticket Tent at the main entrance to Ventnor Park. You cannot buy tickets on the doors of individual venues except for ‘Pay What You Can’ shows.

At The Event 

Are age restrictions for events enforced? 

For theatre, comedy and arts events the age ratings of 5+, 12+ and 16+ are given as guidance to help parents, but we allow audiences to make informed decisions about what they feel is appropriate. 

For some standing gigs in the Big Top there is an age rating of 16+ and those aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Events which are 18+ will be enforced and ID may be required. This includes some gigs, comedy, cabaret and burlesque shows.

Can I walk between the different venues?

Most venues are centred within a 10-15mins walk from the town centre, or in the Fringe Village, which is located at Ventnor Park, approx 20mins walk from the town. 

There are a small number of ‘pop up’ venues and events slightly further apart. It’s about 40mins walk from Bonchurch (furthest east) to Ventnor Botanic Garden (furthest west) 

Will the event go ahead if the weather is bad?

The vast majority of ticketed events at Ventnor Fringe take place indoors or in tented venues and so cancellations due to poor weather are exceptionally rare. Open air shows will also generally go ahead during light showers.

If a venue is forced to close and shows are cancelled all ticket holders will be offered the option to change to a different day, if applicable or full refunds.

I’m going to arrive late, is that ok?

If you arrive late for an event for which you have tickets, you may not be allowed to enter. The venue decides whether or not to admit latecomers. It is your responsibility to arrive before or at the advertised start time. No refunds will be granted for refusal of entry to an event due to late arrival on the part of the customer.

Ventnor is particularly busy during the festival, and this affects travel times so please make sure you have enough time to get to your show. Often it will be quicker to walk than drive between venues. 

Can I bring my dog?

Well behaved dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas, bars and box offices. However only guide dogs are allowed into performance venues.  

Please note dogs will not be allowed in St Catherine’s Church for The Maker’s Market this year.

Are there any free events?

Yes, there are loads of free events taking place everyday as well as exhibitions and buskers round the town. When in doubt good locations to head to are the Fringe Square, outside St Catherine’s Church, Ingrams Yard on Dudley Road and the Fringe Village in Ventnor Park.

You can check out listings for free events (more being added all the time) here

Culture Pass

What is the Culture Pass?

If you’re going to see a lot of shows at the festival it might be worth becoming a Culture Pass holder. This costs £35/year and gets you ‘2for1’ discounts to lots of events at the Fringe. You can see which events offer this to decide if it would be good value for money on the booking pages of our website.  

Once signed up you’ll be sent a special link to use when booking tickets. Please also make sure you book using the same name and email address that you signed up to Culture Pass with or your tickets may be void. The second person you take can be whoever you like!

What is an Unlimited Pass?

Unlimited Pass is similar to Culture Pass but offers more benefits and is designed for those who want to support Ventnor Exchange and our work. It costs £9.99/month or £14.99/month for a ‘Duo’ pass and gets you free entry to all shows at Ventnor Exchange throughout the year, as well as to a selection of events at Ventnor Fringe.  

Access

Do you offer any free tickets for personal assistants? What accessible facilities are there? 

Yes we do and we’ve created a dedicated page with information about this available here. If you have any feedback or feel there are things we could do to make the event more accessible we’d love to hear your feedback. We can be contacted by email (hello@vfringe.co.uk) phone (01983 716767) or in person at Ventnor Exchange which is open everyday from 10am.  

Where can I park? Is there a shuttle bus?

Yes! This year our new park and ride and shuttle bus service will be running throughout the festival. We have a dedicated car park at Ventnor Rugby Football Club, Watcombe Bottom, Whitewell Road, PO38 1LP. 

The shuttle bus will run between Watcombe Bottom, Ventnor Park, Ventnor Botanic Garden and the Town Centre, connecting up all of the main venues. It will run from midday to midnight every day (except Monday 22nd) departing from Watcome Bottom at quarter to and quarter past the hour. 

How much does it cost?

Parking at Watcombe Bottom costs £5 per day, per car. You can pay for this when you get on the shuttle bus.

All single journeys on the shuttle bus cost £2 or you can purchase an unlimited bus pass for the whole Fringe for £20 per person. 

You don’t have to use the parking to be able to use the shuttle bus service, just buy your ticket from the driver when you get on the bus. 

The Edinburgh event started back in 1947 and just like Ventnor, the very first box office was run from a student’s bedroom!

It’s where so much of our screen and stage talent have started their careers, including national treasures like Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Rowan Atkinson. More recently streaming services like Netflix are filled with comedy specials with stand ups performing their Edinburgh routine, and dramas which started life as plays at the festival like Fleabag and Baby Reindeer are now hit series. Over the years talent which started life at the Fringe has gone on to have a huge influence on our popular culture.

And while some 60,000 or so revelers have just partied at the Isle of Wight Festival, at Edinburgh upwards of 2.5 million tickets are sold each year in an event which lasts for the entire month of August!

These days there are many fringe festivals all around the world; with Adelaide, Edmonton and Brighton being some of the biggest.

Some take place alongside traditional arts festivals with a programme that is booked or curated by an organiser, but others like Ventnor are stand alone events in their own right.

And while there are some differences in how each Fringe operate, the common thread is that there isn’t a single person or committee that decides on who can or should perform, that there is some level of open access. It’s this which gives the unpredictability and eccentricity that fringe festivals are famous for and what leads to such a broad range of different shows. 

At Ventnor income from tickets sold for events is shared between the festival and the artists, meaning whichever shows you choose to go to directly supports those artists.

This year Ventnor Fringe celebrates 15 years since its first event…

…so while it’s still a baby in relation to institutions like Edinburgh, is has over the years seen all sorts of actors, comedians and musicians tread our broads, some of whom have gone on to win MOBO’s, BRIT’s, Writers Guild and Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

And for those who find an event the size of Edinburgh overwhelming, Ventnor offers an intimate alternative, while still hosting nearly 150 different shows, with a unique holiday type experience. 

So now you know, the Fringe is a unique type of festival that appeals to all sorts of people, where you can choose exactly what you want to see and how much you want to spend. Take a look at the programme, explore Ventnor’s windy streets and beautiful parks and enjoy 10 days of the unexpected in a truly unique setting. 

2.) Back To Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse 

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th July 2024 / 8.30pm – 10.20pm at The Big Top

Last year The Aretha Franklin Story was receiving rave reviews around town, so it’s no surprise tickets are selling fast for this new show from Night Owl.

This new show comes to the Island on the back of sell out runs at Edinburgh, Brighton and Adelaide Fringes. Back To Black: The Music Of Amy Winehouse takes you on a moving yet energising journey through the career of a modern legend. This captivating show is delivered in the Night Owl trademark ‘show-umentary’ format giving a fascinating insight into Amy’s sharp rise to fame and stardom.

Experience the hits delivered by the dynamic and soulful Reine Beau Anderson Dudley.

Includes Back To Black, Valerie, Rehab, Me & Mr Jones, Monkey Man and many more.

Book Tickets

Janine Harouni is one of the acts playing Pick of the Fringe. You can also catch her solo show here.

3.) Pick of the Fringe

Friday 19th – Sunday 21st July 2023 / 9.15pm -11pm at The Magpie

A bit of a Fringe institution. This is a mixed bill of stand up comedy from a selection of some of the funniest acts at this year’s Ventnor Fringe, curated and hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Ahir Shah (Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, BBC 2)

Back for a fourth year this time with a brand new line up each night, following completely sold out shows in 2021, 2022 and 2023. It’s a great night out at the Fringe and a good introduction to the festival if you’re not sure what to see.

BOOK TICKETS

6.) Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatter Brain (Work In Progress)

Thursday 25th July 2024 /9.15pm – 10.15pm at The Magpie

Having reassessed her life through the prism of an ADHD diagnosis in last year’s funny and moving memoir, one of Britain’s most beloved and most scatterbrained stand-ups lets you back into her mind (warning: it’s cluttered in there). Among other things, this show will be a love-letter to letter-writing, a trip back through her early years as a comic and woman-about-town, and a whirlwind tour of a chaotic, hilarious brain.

BOOK TICKETS

7.) Richard Pulsford: Get Rich Quick

Thursday 25th – Saturday 27th July 2024/ 7.30pm-8.30pm at Ventnor Arts Club 

A show packed full of quality one-liners, wordplay and puns.

You Must Be Joke King Winner 2024. UK Pun Championships Winner 2022. Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up 2021. Nominated Best stand-up Buxton Fringe 2023. Top Ten Jokes of Edinburgh Fringe 2019, 2021 & 2022. As seen on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.

BOOK TICKETS

Earspeeled are back for the second year running after their sold out success last year with their Day at the Fringe show: a day festival within a festival! Headlined by Coventry based alt/indie band FEET, and featuring Fizzy Orange and Grandma’s House (both of which have graced the stage at Strings Bar & Venue), as well as Island favourites The Optimists, Froglands PK, and so many more. This isn’t one to be missed! – Saturday 22nd July 2pm-11pm at the Big Top (TICKETS)

Benji Waterstones is an NHS psychiatrist and award-winning comedian who’s show ‘You Don’t Have To Be Mad To Work Here’ was one of the very first to sell out this year. His top pick? “I’d say Vittorio Angelone, and not just because he’s a good egg who I play football with. He’s like the Matt Le Tissier of comedy; bags of natural talent, no censor, and only ever moments away from controversy. ” Vittorio is an Italian-Irish comedian from Belfast. In 2022 he sold out his debut run at the Edinburgh Fringe and was nominated for Best Newcomer at the prestigious Dave Comedy Awards. 

—

Ahir Shah is a bit of a Ventnor veteran, performing at Ventnor Exchange and the Fringe many times over the years. He’s back with a full length solo show for the first time since 2019, which has predictably sold out ahead of the festival (although you can still get tickets see Pick of the Fringe which he curates and hosts)

Ahir told us “There are a bunch of fantastic comedians appearing at the Ventnor Fringe, and not enough space to recommend all of them, so I thought I’d recommend a show I won’t be able to see but wish I could: “Sara Barron: Why Am I Mean To My Mom?” Sara is a staggeringly funny and engaging comedian, as those who’ve seen her before or listened to her podcast Firecrotch & Normcore will know. Also we had a conversation a couple of years ago during which she described the process of falling in love with her husband, and it was so beautiful and perfect that I still think about it two or three times a week. That probably won’t be in the show though, I imagine she’ll just call him a dick and then describe a time she was mean – to her very own mom!”

Witty Look

Winner of Japan’s Children and Performing Arts Expo 2019 and featuring a former Unicycle World Champion, WITTY LOOK are taking the world by storm, with a show that fuses circus with Manga cartoons to deliver a masterclass in the universal language of laughter. 

Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd July / 14:30hrs / The Magpie / Book Tickets

Happy Daze Circus

Returning for a third year, come and experience a circus spectacular from Let’s Circus! Witness feats of skill, strength and awe, in a feel good cabaret to feed the soul, perfect for all ages.

The international cast returns with both familiar and new faces (Including a certain balloon act) in a brand new show! Two time Ventnor Fringe Audience Choice Award Nominees.

The company are also running FREE circus workshops. 

Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th July / 14:30hrs  + 17:30hrs on Sat / The Magpie / Book Tickets

Darryl J. Carrington presents “Out of the Box”

Prepare to be amazed and entertained with ‘Out of the Box,’ a show that pushes the boundaries of traditional circus and takes audiences on a journey through a world of imagination and wonder.

In ‘Out of the Box,’ Darryl brings his unique style and vision to the stage, incorporating everything from traditional circus skills to modern technology to create a truly innovative and captivating performance. His juggling routines are both skillful and hilarious, and his comedic timing and physical comedy leave audiences in stitches.

Friday 28th – Sunday 30th July / 11:00hrs / The Big Top / Book Tickets

Peter Pan

Join Slapstick Picnic for a theatrical treat like no other as they whip up a three hander version of JM Barrie’s classic play Peter Pan.

Let your imagination soar as we dish out this timeless tale of hapless pirates, feral children and a particularly punctual reptile. This show isn’t just for kids, our brilliant buffoonery will have picnickers of all ages cackling into their coleslaw. Trust us, this is one flight of fancy you don’t want to miss.

Sunday 30th July / 14:30hrs & 19:30hrs / The Magpie / Book Tickets

Ticketing 

Is there a single ‘all inclusive’ Ventnor Fringe ticket? 

No, all events at Ventnor Fringe are ticketed individually so you can pick and choose whatever you’d like to see, and set your own budget. There are also loads of free shows and events to explore.

Why isn’t there the option for an all inclusive Ventnor Fringe ticket? 

Partly because the size of different venues varies considerably. Our smallest venue has a capacity of 10, and the largest 500, so we couldn’t guarantee which shows you could get into!

Secondly, the majority of the money from every ticket sold goes directly to the artist you are watching, so in choosing who to see you’re deciding who to support. Artists who do well are likely to return so the audience helps shape what the programme of the festival will look like. 

Do you charge booking fees?

No, we’re very proud to be one of the few events not to charge any booking fees at all. 

Can I get a refund/cancel my booking?

From the moment that the transaction is completed, all Ventnor Fringe tickets are non-refundable unless a show is cancelled or the particulars of the show change in a substantial way (For example, the date of the performance is changed) that results in you being unable or unwilling to attend, in which case we will let you know and reimburse the price of the tickets as soon as possible.

Can I amend by booking?

Tickets can be changed for a different date of the same show but will incur a £1 fee per ticket. This can only be done over the phone or in person at Ventnor Exhange of the Fringe Village Box Office Tent. Unfortunately we can’t exchange tickets for different shows.

Do I need to print my tickets?

In general when booking in person, over the phone or online you will be sent ‘e-tickets’ to the email address you provide. We do not post physical tickets in an effort to reduce waste.

All Ventnor Fringe venues will accept digital copies displayed on a phone or tablet to avoid you having to print tickets at home. If you loose your tickets you will need to show ID to be allowed entry. This must be a Passport, Driving Licence or Pass Card.

Physical tickets are available on request when booking in person from Ventnor Exchange if you do require these. 

Do babies need tickets?

You do not need to book tickets for babies ‘in arms’ who will be allowed into performances for free. Anyone who requires a seat will require a ticket. Generally we consider this to be those aged 2+ 

Do you offer concession prices?

Each individual show decides its own ticket prices and any concessions they want to offer. There are often discounts for children (normally this is offered right up to those aged under 25) and group bookings. 

Can I book tickets on the door?

Tickets can be booked online right up until the event, or until they sell out! If buying in person you can book tickets during the event from Ventnor Exchange or the Fringe Village Box Office tent at the main entrance to Ventnor Park. You cannot buy tickets on the doors of individual venues except for ‘Pay What You Can’ shows and the Silent Disco. 

At The Event 

Are age restrictions for events enforced? 

For theatre, comedy and arts events the age ratings of 5+, 12+ and 16+ are given as guidance to help parents, but we allow audiences to make informed decisions about what they feel is appropriate. 

For some standing gigs in the Big Top there is an age rating of 16+ and those aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Events which are 18+ will be enforced and ID may be required. This includes some gigs, comedy, cabaret and burlesque shows.

Can I walk between the different venues?

Most venues are centred within a 10-15mins walk from the town centre, or in the Fringe Village, which is located at Ventnor Park, approx 20mins walk from the town. 

There are a small number of ‘pop up’ venues and events slightly further apart. It’s about 40mins walk from Bonchurch (furthest east) to Ventnor Botanic Garden (furthest west) 

I’m going to arrive late, is that ok?

If you arrive late for an event for which you have tickets, you may not be allowed to enter. The venue decides whether or not to admit latecomers. It is your responsibility to arrive before or at the advertised start time. No refunds will be granted for refusal of entry to an event due to late arrival on the part of the customer.

Ventnor is particularly busy during the festival, and this affects travel times so please make sure you have enough time to get to your show. Often it will be quicker to walk than drive between venues. 

Can I bring my dog?

Well behaved dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas, bars and box offices. However only guide dogs are allowed into performance venues.  

Please note dogs will not be allowed in St Catherine’s Church for The Maker’s Market this year.

Are there any free events?

Yes, there are loads of free events taking place everyday as well as exhibitions and buskers round the town. When in doubt good locations to head to are the Fringe Square, outside St Catherine’s Church, and the Fringe Village in Ventnor Park.

You can check out listings for free events (more being added all the time) here

Culture Pass

What is the Culture Pass?

If you’re going to see a lot of shows at the festival it might be worth becoming a Culture Pass holder. This costs £29.99/year and gets you ‘2for1’ discounts to lots of events at the Fringe. You can see which events offer this to decide if it would be good value for money on the booking pages of our website.  

When booking with the Culture Pass discount you need to make sure you book using the same name and email address that you signed up with or your tickets may be void. The second person you take can be whoever you like!

What is an Unlimited Pass?

Unlimited Pass is similar to Culture Pass but offers more benefits and is designed for those who want to support Ventnor Exchange and our work. It costs £9.99/month or £14.99/month for a ‘Duo’ pass and gets you free entry to all shows at Ventnor Exchange throughout the year, as well as to a selection of events at Ventnor Fringe.  

Access

Do you offer any free tickets for personal assistants? What accessible facilities are there? 

Yes we do and we’ve created a dedicated page with information about this available here. If you have any feedback or feel there are things we could do to make the event more accessible we’d love to hear your feedback. We can be contacted by email (hello@vfringe.co.uk) phone (01983 716767) or in person at Ventnor Exchange which is open everyday from 10am.  

Join The Fringe Review Team!

14-17 Year Olds 

Aged 14-17 and interested in going backstage at Ventnor Fringe Festival? We’re offering the chance to watch a load of shows, explore the festival, and meet performers, all for free! As a member of the Fringe Review Team you’ll work in a small group to produce a podcast and online content about your experiences to be shared to Ventnor Fringe audiences.

Over the course of two days you’ll get free tickets to watch a variety of shows and learn all about how a festival works, as well as meeting artists, crew, staff, and performers who you’ll have the chance to interview.

You’ll be working together to create content for a podcast about your experience at Ventnor Fringe, as well as having the chance to write up some reviews/articles and social media posts. Your content will be published on Ventnor Fringe’s official website and social media!

This is a great opportunity to see loads of stuff for free, learn more about festivals and events, and make new friends!

Find out more and apply here

18-25 Year Olds 

For those aged over 18 we’re also offering the chance to join the Fringe Review team in a slightly different format. You’ll work in a small group to produce the Fringe Review Newspaper documenting your experiences, reviews and interviews, to be shared to Ventnor Fringe audiences.

Over the course of the festival, you’ll get to watch loads of different shows, as well as meeting artists, crew, staff, and performers who you’ll have the chance to interview. You’ll be using your time at Ventnor Fringe to put together content for the newspaper, which will be released every three days during the event.

We’ll create an itinerary for each day, but you’ll be given a press pass to give you free access to any of the events at Ventnor Fringe to be able to create content. You’ll have the freedom to go and explore the festival, with set meeting points throughout the day to come together with the rest of the team and put together your content for the newspaper.

Find out more and apply here

Volunteer At The Fringe

Another great way to get involved with the festival is to volunteer! If your over 18 you can apply to join the team, with common roles including helping out in the Box Offices and Stewarding, helping audiences in and out of venues and ensuring shows start on time.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, feel more involved with the event and a way to see lots of different shows, including some you might not otherwise have chosen to go and see. 

You don’t have to be available for the whole duration of the festival. You can volunteer on any specific days or evenings that work for you. 

Sign up here