The Dunedin Fringe Festival runs from Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 March 2027 across Ōtepoti Dunedin. It is New Zealand's second-largest fringe festival: 11 days of fresh, experimental theatre, comedy, dance, music and visual art, with around 80 events by more than 500 artists and crew. Because it is open access and uncurated, you get established artists testing new work alongside brand-new talent, usually at low prices.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 March 2027
- Where
- Venues across Dunedin, including Te Whare o Rukutia and the White Box Gallery run by the Fringe trust
- Size
- About 80 events, 500+ artists and crew, audience of around 15,000
- Tickets
- Bought per show through the festival programme; many are low-cost
- Programme
- Published on the official site before the festival
What it is
The Dunedin Fringe Festival first lit up Ōtepoti in 2000 and is now the second-largest fringe festival in New Zealand. It is an 11-day multidisciplinary arts festival of fresh, innovative and experimental visual and performance art. The 2027 festival runs from Thursday 4 to Sunday 14 March.
What to expect
Each year the festival supports about 80 events staged by more than 500 artists and crew, with an audience of around 15,000. Expect theatre, comedy, dance and physical theatre, live music, installations and visual art in venues across the city, from theatres to galleries and unexpected spaces.
Dunedin Fringe has an open-access kaupapa: it is not curated, so anyone can register and present work regardless of experience or reputation. That makes it a place where experienced artists test new work and emerging artists find their feet, and it draws performers from around New Zealand and overseas. The festival is timed to line up with other fringes in the region, so some shows tour between them.
Who it suits
Curious audiences who like to take a chance on something new, students, and visitors who want an affordable night out in a compact, walkable city. Check each show’s age guidance in the programme.
Tickets
Tickets are sold per show through the festival programme on the official site. The festival describes itself as low barrier, affordable and accessible, and prices reflect that. Popular shows in small venues sell out, so book the ones you most want to see.
Getting there
Dunedin Airport has domestic flights and is about 30 minutes’ drive from the city (an estimate). Most venues are in and around the central city and the Octagon, so you can walk between shows.
Where to stay
Stay in the central city or near the Octagon to walk to venues. Our things to do in Dunedin guide covers the areas.
What to bring
A warm layer for evenings, because Dunedin cools down fast after dark even in March, and a little flexibility for late changes to the programme.
Make a trip of it
Spend a day on the Otago Peninsula for albatross and penguins, and explore the city’s heritage streets and cafés with our things to do in Dunedin guide.
FAQ
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Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
