Durham OnAir's Picks of Durham Fringe Festival 2026

The Durham Fringe Festival 2026 is in full swing. We've put together our list of this years unmissiable shows from a festival that is quickly become a 'must attend' event in the Durham cultural calendar.

We believe that every single show is worth seeing, but if you only have a short space of time to enjoy the festival this year, our list of picks will hopfully help you find something you'll love. As always, we urge you to check out the full program at www.durhamfringe.co.uk. 

A TAPESTRY OF LIFE - Jessa Liversidge - A Wonderful tribute to Carol King! 

A tribute to Carole King's iconic album 'Tapestry' from Durham Fringe regular Jessa Liversidge. Classics such as 'You've got a friend' and 'I feel the earth move' are interspersed with original songs and inspiring covers, including Andrea Brown's poetry set to music. Universal themes of love and friendship, situations and journeys, all performed in a heartfelt, engaging style, with live looping and audience interaction.

Richard Cobb: Best Job in the World - Brilliant Stand Up Comedy

A lot has happened to Richard in the last 12 months. He moved back to the small village he grew up in, his football team miraculously became the best team in Scottish football, and he welcomed a daughter. But is being a parent really the best job in the world like everyone said it would be, or has he been completely duped? “Constantly entertaining and heartwarming.” (The Real Chrisparkle)

Steve Pledger - Award Winning Folk! 

Award-winning singer/songwriter, Steve Pledger, returns to Durham Fringe Festival this year with material from his five critically-acclaimed albums, and beyond. Expect an hour of songs described by fRoots Magazine as "object lessons in the art of contemporary songwriting.". Hailed as "one of the finest protest singer/songwriters of his generation" (Folk & Tumble) his music packs an emotional punch, all delivered with passion and humour.

EMMA: Oops!… I Did It Again - Returning to Durham Fringe is this fantastic retelling with a 90's pop twist! 

Emma loves having control in Highbury – but what if she WAS in control of a whole show? When she can mute Miss Bates, cut scenes short and rewind action - How will she ever learn to let fate take its course? With an eccentric cast of characters, women dressed as men and a splash of Britney Spears what could go wrong in this pink tinted world? This is... Emma: A Play By Emma Woodhouse.

Tom Bolton: Just Magic - Award winning magic from a Durham Fringe favourite who plays his biggest stage yet at the Gala Theatre.

After 4 sell-out years, Durham Fringe favourite Tom Bolton returns with his BIGGEST show yet. Bringing together the very best moments from his career alongside BRAND NEW illusions, this is a show not to be missed.

The Marsh Family - Viral Music collective (and family) the Marsh's bring their show to the North East for the first time!

The Marsh Family, a real-life musical family of six from Kent, first captured a worldwide audience during the pandemic, appearing on BBC’s Comic Relief and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and have since built a global following with millions of views. Versatile and independent, their music spans genres, delivering a distinctive mix of heart, humour, and hope. Expect folk-rock and pop covers, rich vocal harmonies, the odd parody song, and constantly changing instruments and styles – alongside a few original tracks from their debut album “Hollow Chapters” (2026), exploring life cycles, truth, heroes, and what truly matters.

Northern Lights presents… Horrible Harmonies (History as you’ve never heard it before!) - Durham Universitys group offers an interesting take!

History Gets Remixed! Strap in as Northern Lights, Durham University’s internationally award-winning group, takes you on a musical journey through time. From ancient legends to modern icons, we bring the greats of history to life through powerhouse vocals, stunning harmonies, and award-winning choreography. Packed with pop bangers, sharp comedy, and (somewhat... ) accurate historical accounts, this is history as you’ve never heard it before. You pick the time period, and we dive straight in, with energy so contagious it’s impossible not to enjoy. Come for the laughs, stay for vocal brilliance, and leave wondering why history was taught any other way!

Liminal - Fascinating puppetry in the Assembly Rooms Theatre

In a series of wordless movements that explore space and object relationships, the show invites a liminal space where boundaries of the human form are manipulated and reimagined through marionettes and original music. From the makers of 'Microbodyssey', 'Count Ocular' and 'Cabaret of Curiosities' (★★★★ "a display of marionettery like no other", The Wee Review), Newcastle-based Tatwood Puppets are back with a brand new journey into puppetry for adults and teens.

Isabel Maria - Award winning new music from a north east local!

Pen in hand, ribbon in hair, 19 year old singer songwriter Isabel Maria has been shattering expectations since 2021. Having recently won a North East Culture Award - to join the Alan Hull and Northern Writers Awards sitting proudly on her bookshelf - Isabel’s alternative pop dialogues of mental health, human relationships, and self deprecation have earned her international praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and Rolling Stone Español.

Mark Daniels: That’s Terrifying. Can We Brunch Now? - Hilarious Comedy!

81% of millennials say they can't afford a midlife crisis, but what if they just tried harder to have one on a budget? Mark's coping with a range of existential anxieties from environmental apocalypse to humankind’s replacement by AI, with simple things, like brunch and ridiculous jackets. This up-and-coming queer comedian & So You Think You're Funny finalist delivers satirical wit about important topics from AI to the Sugababes in a show for anyone who’s ever spent £12 on avocado toast and thought... what in the God’s f*ck am I doing with my life?

Oranges and Lemons - Exciting drama! 

A howling, wintry December night. A group of school-friends return to their head mistress’ study to raise a toast in her memory. They laugh, share old stories from school, and chat about their adult jobs. But as the brandy is poured, the topic turns to hauntings - to ghosts. Have they really seen things, or are we all haunted by times we can’t go back to?

The Last Catch, an original story by Philip Harrison - North East Actor Philip Harrison brings us this enjoyable local play

An old man in Redcar, on the northeast coast, clings to the glory days of film stars and giant fish, even as age strips him of worth and dignity with every humiliation. He is certain the monsters have returned, and makes one last voyage to restore his name. A young protege joins the hunt. Together they chase more than a creature: they seek proof for themselves, and for a resentful world. Darkly comic and moving, this play finds strange grace when two souls venture into the deep together.