The best events at Melbourne Fringe Festival

From October 1-20, our city will teem with independent artists, theatre-makers, comedians, dancers and risk-takers for Melbourne Fringe Festival. But times are tough, budgets are tight and sometimes forking out cash for a show just isn't on the cards. But fret not; this wonderful and gloriously weird celebration of independent art is packed with free events to catch, so you can still partake in Fringe frivolity for zilch.

No one does ‘weird’ as well as the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Over the decades, the Festival has seen production after production push the limits of straight-laced convention, and this year is no different – it’s as wild, wacky and weird as ever.

From a play on a bus to a mysterious fairy floss giveaway, the festival is ready to serve up scoop after scoop of unbridled kookiness. Here are the shows you’d be a fool to miss.

An intimate dinner party. Shakespeare with netball. A three-day rave. Juggling like you’ve never seen it before. When it comes to enthralling theatre, you can always count on the Melbourne Fringe Festival to sign, seal and deliver a whole bunch of eclectic productions, and this year is no different.

There’s no need to wait until the Melbourne International Comedy Festival swings back around to get your fix of all things comical. From walking tours to absurdist stand-up and musical comedies, this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival (MFF) program has a whole slate of events that'll send you rolling in the aisles.

The Huxleys agree that Melbourne Fringe is a lucky dip – you never know what you’re going to get. However, that’s also the special nature of a festival that gives independent artists room to experiment and dream up wild, weird and magical ideas that may not find a place elsewhere.

Melbourne Fringe is swinging into action for another boundary-pushing year of theatre, cabaret, circus, comedy and all-round absurdity. Satisfy your hunger with this year's theme 'Eat Your Art Out', and with more than 470 shows lined up from October 1-20, you’d be forgiven for wanting some guidance on what to see. Thankfully, we’re here to help you out with a few delightfully debaucherous picks from the Melbourne Fringe 2024 program.