Atlanta Fringe Festival 2026 opens May 27 in Little Five Points

Cast of Road Trip 2 takes a celebratory bow on stage at the 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival, arms raised and clapping under stage lighting.
Cast members take a bow during a performance of "Road Trip 2" at the 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival. (Atlanta Fringe Festival)

The Atlanta Fringe Festival opens its 14th annual run on Wednesday, May 27, with a free preview night at Seven Stages in Little Five Points and runs through June 7 across seven venues in east Atlanta. This year’s festival features 51 shows and nearly 250 performances by storytellers and actors from various backgrounds, disciplines, and experience levels, selected entirely by lottery.

How Atlanta Fringe works

The Atlanta Fringe is produced by Twinhead Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and run by a core volunteer committee of 10 people. Every artist taking part is selected through an unjuried lottery. Low submission and production fees are designed to keep participation accessible across economic backgrounds.

Once selected, each artist is guaranteed four performances and one technical rehearsal in one of the festival’s venues, all of which are fully staffed with technicians and front-of-house workers. Artists keep their box office receipts — after a small processing fee. Performers are also eligible for cash prizes voted on by audiences, including awards for large- and small-cast productions. A Critic’s Choice and Producer’s Choice award are also given. And, every artist receives professional photographs of their show.