Fringe in Full Swing: 50+ Shows, 12 Days, and Hamilton’s Biggest Stage Yet
Hamilton Fringe Festival 2025
The Vibe Hamilton
July 05, 2025
An interview with Chris Stanton, Executive Director & Franny McCabe-Bennett, Managing Director, from the Hamilton Fringe Festival.
By Paul Copcutt, Publisher of The Vibe Hamilton.
At The Vibe, we’re all about helping Hamiltonians discover great events happening in our city. Our subscribers open the newsletter every Thursday morning looking for something new to explore, and we think this year’s Hamilton Fringe Festival is going to deliver.
We're even attempting something bold this year: trying to review all the performances and get them published by the end of the first weekend so you can decide what you would like to go see next.
To understand what makes this festival so exciting, we sat down with Hamilton Fringe’s Chris Stanton (Executive Director) and Franny McCabe-Bennett (Managing Director) to talk about the magic behind the scenes, the power of community, and what makes Fringe one of Hamilton’s most energizing cultural events.
“Fringe is a punk rock movement that never stopped”
Chris Stanton
Chris shared a little about the history of fringe: “Fringe started in the 1940s in Edinburgh as a response to being shut out. It was grassroots, rebellious, and it caught fire. That punk rock energy is still what drives Fringe festivals today.”
And that spirit didn’t just survive — it grew. “It endured and got picked up by the Edmonton Fringe in the 1980s,” Chris explains. “They were the first international Fringe festival that really pioneered the model we see now — with uncurated programming, affordable ticketing, and the idea that artists keep the bulk of the box office.”
Hamilton’s version channels that same spirit. “We’re home to important arts institutions like the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Theatre Aquarius,” says Chris, “but Fringe fills a crucial space. It’s accessible, it's unpredictable, and it gives a voice to artists who might not fit anywhere else.”
What many may not know is that, unlike most festivals, Fringe shows aren’t curated; they’re selected by lottery. That means you could catch a piece from a Stratford actor, a local emerging artist, someone putting on their very first show or an accountant who has had a play hidden away in a drawer for 20 years.
Tickets are just $14, and the entire base price goes directly to the artist. “It’s about access, opportunity, and building a sustainable scene for indie creators,” Chris says.
Why Reviews Matter
Our bold effort to review all the shows was born from a conversation with local director and artist Jennifer Walton, who directed the ‘audience choice winning’ play Stationary at last year's Fringe and told The Vibe how the artists all wanted there to be more reviews.
And Chris and Franny agree, “A good review gives you momentum. A bad review gives you something to learn from,” Franny explains. “Even just being acknowledged can be a huge confidence boost for an artist.”
Reviews also help audiences discover shows that resonate with them. “Fringe shows are as diverse as the people in the audience,” says Chris. “And different reviewers, theatre critics, fans, and new attendees bring different lenses to what they see and what appeals to them.”
This year, The Vibe’s reviewer team includes experienced arts writers, performers, playwrights, and newer festival-goers. That diversity of our reviewers’ perspectives matches the very ethos of Fringe.
“There’s theatre for everyone — you just haven’t seen the right show yet”
Franny McCabe-Bennett
Franny highlighted that Fringe is the perfect place to dip your toe into live performance. “People often think theatre isn’t for them because they saw one show they didn’t like. But nobody sees a bad movie and swears off movies forever.”
Fringe invites you to try a few things. Whether it’s physical theatre, comedy, storytelling, experimental art, or a family-friendly romp, there’s something for everyone. With passes available for 3, 6, 10 or 20 shows, you can easily make a day (or several) of it. There is also the Mini-Bar Pass, giving you 5 short shows all in one evening.
If you plan to catch any indoor performances, you’ll need a Fringe Benefits Button, just $5 for the entire festival. It’s required for admission, but many don’t know that it also gives you discounts at local businesses and restaurants, so you can catch a bite to eat before a performance.
The Fringe is bigger than ever this year. Be sure to swing by what is now named Fringe Boulevard, a pedestrian-only outdoor space on King William Street. It features:
The Relay Boulevard Bar (open nightly after 6 p.m.).
Food and drink specials from Mystic Ramen, Electric Diner, The French, Piccolo, Undefined, The Mule, and others.
Free events throughout the festival like Karaoke, Spark Teen Show, Keeping Six Open Mic, Films on the Fringe, and on Saturday, July 26, the Kids Club Fun Day.
You’ll also want to check out Fringe On The Streets, an immersive walking tour along James and York, featuring six mini-performances in a 75-minute loop.
Behind the Curtain
Organizing 50+ shows across 12 venues is no easy feat. Chris likens it to a swan gliding smoothly on the surface, with the team paddling furiously underneath. “We’re a small team that expands to 60 around Fringe time, plus over 180 venue captains and volunteers for the festival; it’s community-powered, top to bottom.”
Each show is carefully matched with a venue based on its tech needs and vibe, with venues ranging from the historic Players’ Guild (est. 1878) to the restored Westdale Theatre and more modern venues.
The Invitation
Franny puts it best: “It’s like summer camp for theatre — and everyone’s invited. Whether you’re a performer, an audience member, or just curious, there’s a place for you here.”
Chris adds: “The moment you see the Boulevard buzzing with people, music playing, drinks in hand, stories being told, that’s the moment you feel the city come alive.”
Hamilton Fringe runs July 16-27, 2025.
Full schedule & tickets: hftco.ca
Get notified via email with the latest Fringe reviews by subscribing to The Vibe for free https://www.thevibehamilton.com/subscribe
Buy your Fringe Benefits Button in advance or at the door of a venue.
Follow The Vibe on all social media @thevibehamilton and #VibeFringeReview for daily reviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and local picks. We aim to review every show, hopefully by the end of the Fringe opening weekend.