Around Site
North Berwick Trust Hub
The North Berwick Trust Hub sits at the heart of Fringe by the Sea – a free-to-enter, open-air space at the centre of the site, made for gathering, wandering and soaking it all in.
Supported by North Berwick Trust, it’s a place to try great food from local traders, catch live music from a packed line-up of homegrown talent on The Lighthouse Live Stage, explore the Kids Zone and The Times Lounge, and browse the Coulters Makers Market. For 2026, our Love of Life theme weaves through the Hub with a burst of nature-led moments and creative touches, celebrating our connection to the natural world and each other. Expect a few surprises along the way – and as always, everyone’s welcome.
Open daily from 10.00AM to 11.00PM.
Meet You at the Bar
Our bar line-up is back and better than ever for 2026, mixing exciting new arrivals with much-loved favourites.
The Famous Grouse leads the way as sponsor of The Famous Grouse Lodge, with a dedicated bar and serves across the site. Cocktail lovers can dive into the vibrant De Kuyper pop-up, while Drambuie blends with Steampunk Coffee for surprising delights. Monkey Shoulder brings the DJ vibes to Lighthouse Live, Magners delivers the summer cider energy, and Lind & Lime returns to the Hub with its signature serves alongside the Frozen Margarita Pit-Stop and Spritz bars. Expect great drinks, good vibes and fast, card-only service across the festival site.
Encounter
Drop into Encounter – a space within the Hub where you can meet the people from charitable organisations doing brilliant work across our community.
Discover local groups, get inspired, and find out how to get involved. For 2026, Encounter comes into its own as part of our Love of Life theme celebrating care, kindness and the power of community. Expect creative, interactive and genuinely fun ways to join in. Designed and handcrafted by students from the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture with support from Michael Lewis, it’s a space built for connection.
Daily from 10.00AM to 1.00PM and 2.00PM to 5.00PM
The Lighthouse Live
The Lighthouse Live Stage brings a packed programme of free live music to the heart of the Hub, with DJs, emerging artists and local favourites creating a vibrant festival atmosphere from day into night.
Presented by The Lighthouse North Berwick – the town’s co-working hub and home to a thriving community of local businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs – it’s the perfect place to discover new talent and soak up the buzz of Fringe by the Sea. Just a five-minute walk from the festival site, The Lighthouse offers flexible co-working desks, offices and meeting rooms, from an hour to a full day or more throughout the festival and all year round. Email info@lighthousenb.co.uk for more information.
Created as part of our 2026 Love of Life theme, Project Plant brings together hundreds of pots of wildflowers grown by local people, schools, families and community groups to create a shared meadow installation within the festival site.
Developed with support from North Berwick in Bloom, Herbspace and Seilich, the project celebrates small acts of care growing into something bigger together – adding colour, creativity and a little bit of the magic of nature to FBTS 2026.
theSpace Dunbar joins us onsite this year with a programme of hands-on workshops, drop-in sessions and creative activities for all ages.
Learn how to service and optimise your bike with Boost Your Bike workshops, try your hand at DJing and live digital music making, or simply drop by for open music sessions and
Dr Bike check-ups throughout the festival. Alongside sessions from North Berwick Youth Project including tie dye, seed bomb making and face painting, it’s a welcoming space to learn new skills, get creative and connect with others.
The Times Lounge
Hosting a programme of masterclasses, talks and creative sessions throughout the festival, The Times Lounge is home to everything from gardening conversations to wellness workshops
and book events. It’s also a welcoming space to pause, recharge and catch up on the day’s news courtesy of The Times and The Sunday Times Scotland. Drop by throughout the day.
Coulters Open Doors
Drop by Coulters’ welcoming pop-up space beside the Coulters Makers Market to meet the team, enjoy a range of family-friendly activities and explore some of the stunning homes currently
on the market across East Lothian. As one of the region’s leading estate agents and solicitor firms, Coulters combines local knowledge with expert guidance to help make every move feel a little easier.
Lynn Hill Garden
Returning for 2026, the beautiful Lynn Hill Garden once again offers a vibrant oasis within the festival – a place to pause, recharge and reconnect with nature. Inspired by biophilic design, this calming retreat brings greenery, texture and tranquility to the heart of the festival.
Pop-Up Art
Discover creative displays across the festival site, from shortlisted entries in this year’s programme cover competition, to Little Artists’ “Favourite Things” exhibition showcasing colourful young creativity, alongside the return of Steven Butcher’s illustrated map highlighting the work of North Berwick Trust, a nature photography display from Sustaining North Berwick, and a Wildlife Trail designed by local artist Lorraine Miller.