Inverness Fringe Festival

Aim

Our aim is simple - to bring the very first Inverness Fringe Festival to life! To do that, we need your help!

The Project and the People
It all started with a dream, which became a plan, and is now a fast approaching reality.

We are five women who share common goals - to celebrate local talent, and to make a positive difference to the arts here in Inverness and the wider Highlands. Siobhan Neylon (Founder and Co-Director), Mary Dawn Mohun (Operations Lead and Co-Director), Steph Smart (Performing Arts Lead and Director), Meiggidh Fraser (Dance/DJ Lead and Director) and Betsy King (Assistant Producer). 

However, we can't do it alone. We want to bring the first Inverness Fringe Festival to Life – and we need your help to make it unforgettable.

From 28th September to 4th October 2026, the Inverness Fringe Festival will transform the heart of the Highlands into a vibrant week-long celebration of creativity, performance, and culture. This is the city’s very first dedicated Fringe, designed to showcase bold, exciting, and diverse talent from Inverness, the Highlands, and beyond.

With applications from over 100 acts and interest from over 20 venues, you can expect theatre, comedy, live music, dance, cabaret, spoken word, poetry, workshops, and surprising pop-up performances — all happening in venues right across Inverness city centre. Whether you’re a local artist seeking a platform, a resident wanting brilliant entertainment on your doorstep, or a visitor keen to experience the Highlands in a fresh new way — this festival is for you.

Why We Need Your Support

Behind the scenes, our small but passionate team has been working tirelessly for months — researching venues, reaching out to artists, navigating licensing and technical requirements, building partnerships, and pouring our hearts into every detail. As a brand-new festival, securing arts grants has proven extremely difficult, leaving us without public funding for this first year.

That’s why we’re turning to our community. Your contribution will directly fuel the festival and help us deliver on the vision we’ve been building with such care and determination:

• Pay artists fairly so we can attract high-quality, exciting performances
• Cover essential venue costs and technical production
• Create accessible ticketing and promotion so everyone in the community can join in
• Deliver workshops and community events that engage local schools, emerging talent, and diverse voices
• Market the festival widely to bring visitors to Inverness and support our local economy

Every single pound raised will go straight into making this inaugural Inverness Fringe a success and creating strong foundations for years to come.

Be Part of Something Special

We genuinely believe in the incredible talent that exists across Inverness and the Highlands — that’s why we’re so deeply committed to making this festival happen. Our team is driven by a sincere love for our city and a real desire to celebrate Highland creativity, inject fresh energy into the city centre, and create lasting memories for both performers and audiences.

Your support means:

• More shows, more artists, and more magic on stage
• A thriving cultural scene that puts Inverness on the map
• Genuine opportunities for local talent to shine right here at home

Together, we can make history in Inverness.

Whether you can give £5, £20, £50 or more, every contribution truly counts and is deeply appreciated. How incredible would it be to be able to say that you (yes you!) made the Inverness Fringe Festival happen! 

If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please share this campaign with friends, family, and anyone who loves live performance and vibrant communities.

Let’s make this Autumn one to remember. Join the Inverness Fringe movement today!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
The Inverness Fringe Festival Team

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th September 2026 at 12:58pm