The Best Circus & Cabaret Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 is in its last week, and the reviews are flying in. Whilst comedy is often touted as the main attraction of the festival, the Fringe also comes alive with both Circus and Cabaret shows where performers make people laugh and leave them in awe. With this in mind, we decided to let you guys in on all the best happening when it comes to death-defying and exciting on stage.

From the adrenaline-fueled urban circus of 360 All-Stars; to the sultry allure of All-Stars Burlesque; the groovy acrobatics of The Black Blues Brothers; to the cosmic ritual of IMA; this year's lineup promises non-stop entertainment, and astonishment. Seriously, some of these stunts and shows are out of this world good.

So have a scroll down and check out all the best Edinburgh Fringe Circus & Cabaret Shows for 2023. If you're heading up to the Fringe in the latter parts of the month, this list could prove invaluable!

360 AllStars

Image: Assembly Festival on Facebook

When: Every day at 3:15pm

Where: Assembly Hall in Edinburgh - Main Hall

A show that sold out on Broadway and the Sydney Opera House, 360 All Stars is an epic mish-mash of awesome stunts and talents, including things like BMXing, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing, acrobatics, drumming and more; being seen by over one-million people worldwide!

The show connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus that boasts a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes and is returning to the fringe this year to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. 

This is truly a one-of-a-kind show that will undoubtedly leave all in attendance with their jaws on the floor, a must-see that WILL sell out; make sure to grab your tickets asap!

Best of Cabaret

When: Every day at 7:30pm

Where: Just The Tonic at The Caves in Edinburgh - Just The Big Room

The Best of Cabaret show is a stalwart night at the Fringe and has returned once again in 2023 with a diverse all-star rotating cast of international and regional seasoned artists in the genre. Vivacious variety, musical theatre, circus, comedy and award-winning headline burlesque features to complete the night.

Best of Cabaret showcases a round of the finest cabaret acts at the 2023 Fringe in one stellar showcase each night and is widely regarded as the hottest cabaret ticket in town. Just make sure that you get this one booked early, and there is limited capacity and it always sells out.

The Black Blues Brothers

When: Every day at 3:05pm

Where: Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh - Main Hall

After spending all year thrilling the world, with more than 500,000 spectators and astonishing appearances at the Royal Variety Performance and Montecarlo Circus Festival, The Black Blues Brothers return to Edinburgh and they are on a mission to entertain!

Joining the energy of Africa with a rhythm 'n' blues sound, five unleashed acrobats perform their comedy tribute to the cult movie; The Blues Brothers. In an elegant nightclub reminiscent of the Cotton Club, chairs, the table and the surroundings become props for an acrobatic celebration to the rhythm of music. Breathtaking jumps, fire and somersault routines, human pyramids and much more.

An epic ride of acrobatic prowess all around the classic story of the Blues Brothers, and a must-see for anyone after some alternative entertainment at the fringe this year!

1 Hour Of Insane Magic

When: Every night at 7pm

Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot in Edinburgh - Nightclub

Insane Magic is a thrilling new magic show brought to you by three of the best magicians in the country. Head down and bear witness to some of the most incredible acts of magic you've ever seen, from three endlessly charismatic and hilarious magicians. The three is comprised of Cameron Gibson – 'Captivates with his wit and trickery' (TheFourthWalsh.com); Elliot Bibby – 'Cheeky, charming magician' (EdinburghSpotlight.com); and Luke Osey – 'Never misses a trick' (WorldMagicReview.com).

From insane magic tricks and impossible illusions to amazing acts of mind-reading, this is a show that has to be seen to be believed, and you should secure your tickets right now before they magically disappear!

YUCK Circus

When: Every day at 4:20pm

Where: Assembly George Square Gardens in Edinburgh - Palaise du Variete

High-flying acrobatics, absurd confessions, and groovy dancing – all smashed together with their trademark ripper comedy, that's right, YUCK are back once again at the Fringe to provide a jaw-dropping and belly-hurting hour of pure fun. Winners of the top-tier Fringe World Martin Sims Award, Best Circus at both Melbourne and Sydney Fringe, and Best Emerging Artist at Adelaide Fringe, YUCK are absolutely immense and not ones to miss.

So if you're at the Fringe this year, get yourself down to see YUCK, and witness a powerhouse of female circus performers kick art in the face. 

Afrique en Cirque

When: Every day at 5:05pm

Where: Assembly Hall in Edinburgh - Main Hall

Afrique en Cirque is a show by Yamoussa Bangoura, inspired by daily life in Guinea. The performance shares the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture through a colourful show beyond its scenery, costumes and staging, that will make any theatre vibrate with energy.

It represents the strength, agility and life's joy of young Africans, where the audience will see all their acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, all to the contemporary sounds of Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora.

This is a truly unique and special show that is simply just awesome. not one to miss at the Fringe this year!

IMA

When: Every day (except Tuesdays), but times vary, check the Fringe website for details

Where: Assembly Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh 

IMA (Pray) is an immersive circus experience. In the installation space reminiscent of sacred places, you will participate in a unique ritual guided by the performer, who becomes a 21st-century shaman taking the audience into the unknown territories of the human mind. Bence Vági, director-choreographer of IMA worked with his team to create a magical installation inspired by the starry sky stretching over the desert; the place where human beings realise that we are merely tiny points in the infinite vastness of the universe.

An insanely unique and special show that you will remember for a lifetime.

All-Stars Burlesque

When: Every day at 10:05pm

Where: Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh - Bijou

The ultimate international burlesque extravaganza has arrived once again at the Edinburgh Fringe! A celebration of bodies, tradition and inclusivity by award-winning world-class artists and rising stars on the scene. Appearing in the iconic surroundings of the sensational Bijou Spiegeltent.

Brought to you by the executive producer of five-star sell-out Fringe favourite Best of Burlesque, this new All-Stars Burlesque show pushes the boundaries of striptease one step further. Presenting prize winners from Europe's largest industry competition, World Burlesque Games, acclaimed show-stopping artists from around the globe and the hottest new stars around! Warning: May cause excitement!

Aloft Presents Sanctuary

When: Every day at 5:15pm

Where: Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows in Edinburgh - The Beauty

An underground circus cabaret with a punk-rock soul, where all are welcome, Sancutaiury is one of the coolest Cabaret shows at the whole fringe this year. Always changing and always amazing, Sanctuary Cabaret features a revolving line-up of internationally renowned circus artists, banding together to showcase their most personal and prized acts.

Complimented by stunning live music fusing classic standards and modern faves with a slow, swanky twist. Direct from Chicago, this is cabaret excellence everyone can enjoy. Make sure to see it before the end of the fringe!

La Clique

When: Every day at 7:20pm

Where: Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows in Edinburgh - The Beauty

After a sell-out run in 2022, the multi-award-winning, cabaret spectacular La Clique returns, featuring the best of circus, comedy and cabaret. Born at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004 and subsequently gaining international acclaim touring the globe, this is the original and trailblazing Spiegeltent cabaret show, bringing you a magnificent new collection of extraordinary new artists and unmissable favourites. The Olivier Award-winning international sensation promises to be a night of laughs, gasps and can't-believe-your-eyes moments from the best acts around the world. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.