Edinburgh Fringe 2026: A Unique Theatre Inside Britain's Largest Sauna
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest and most open arts festival, will feature a theatre inside a sauna this year. Taking place from August 7 to 31, the festival attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually.
At the 2026 Fringe, the art club Sauna Sessions will present the UK's first purpose-built 'Sauna Theatre' at the Summerhall Arts venue. This will be a unique theatre and art center, as well as the largest sauna in the country.
The project, founded by Lucy Osborn and James Grieve, will combine captivating music and artistic performances with traditional sauna culture and wellness practices. It will also leverage the popularity of Summerhall, one of the festival's most visited locations.
It is expected that the sauna's environment, which promotes endorphin production and relaxation, will create an immersive experience that allows audiences to fully engage with the performances.
“We deeply understand the power of theatre to connect people, ignite imagination, expand horizons, and bring joy,” Osborn and Grieve stated in a comment to Time Out.
“We believe that combining the enriching power of art and culture with the remarkable health benefits of the sauna will double the effect and the pleasure.”
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What to Expect from the Sauna Theatre at This Year's Fringe
The venue will accommodate 80 people and will be equipped with the latest sound and lighting systems. The temperature inside will be maintained at around 90 degrees Celsius.
The Sauna Theatre program will include, among other things, 'morning raves in the sauna', literary salons, and Aufguss practices—immersive rituals with essential oils and storytelling. There will also be a range of musical, theatrical, and dance performances, as well as club nights in the evenings.
Additionally, audiences will be offered a sauna reinterpretation of Virginia Woolf's novel 'The Waves' and an updated version of Nick Kassenbaum's show 'Bubble Schmeisis'.
The project's structure is expected to be modular and will tour the UK after its debut at the Fringe.
Previously, Lucy Osborn and James Grieve launched the portable theatre Roundabout by Paines Plough—a mobile venue with 167 seats.
This year, the Fringe will also feature the debut play by Shaparak Khorsandi, a special show by Jack Dee celebrating 40 years in comedy, and a solo performance by actress Hannah Riley, among other productions.
