Around Site
North Berwick Trust Hub
On a sunny August day, there’s no better place to be than the North Berwick Trust Hub.
Free to enter and full of life, this vibrant space lies at the heart of the festival and brings the whole community together – something North Berwick Trust is proud to champion. Discover delicious food from local traders, enjoy live music from a packed lineup of homegrown talent, explore the Kids Zone and The Border Bothy, browse the Makers Market, and look out for a few surprises along the way. Everyone’s welcome! Open daily from 10.00AM to 11.00PM.
Sip, Sip, Hooray!
Raise a glass – the drinks scene at Fringe By The Sea is better than ever.
Back for their second year, The Port of Leith Distillery returns with crisp Lind & Lime G&Ts and zesty gimlets. The Frozen Margarita Pit-Stop and Rum Shack are back to satisfy your cravings, plus NEW for this year, enjoy sunny vibes and colourful concoctions like the Lillet Pink Spritz at our Spritz Bar. Add Scotland’s beloved Tennent’s Lager to the mix, and you’ve got a line-up worth toasting. Cargo Bars are back in charge, keeping the drinks flowing smoothly with card-only transactions for quick service and minimal queues.
NEW FOR 2025: REUSABLE CUPS!
Goodbye compostable, Hello reusable.
We’re making a sustainable switch – moving away from single-use compostable cups and embracing reusable ones. Why? Reusable cups help reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and cut down on the resources needed to produce disposables. For a small levy, you can grab a reusable cup with your first drink, and then simply swap it for a clean one every time you refill. It’s easy, hygienic, and helps keep our planet a little greener. Best of all, all profits from the reusable cup scheme goes to Scotland’s Coastal Clean Up – helping protect our beaches, wildlife, and marine environment for generations to come.
Timeless Treasures
Our theme for 2025 is Timeless Treasures, celebrating the values of the past – from classic seaside moments to the enduring spirit of community that still brings us together today.
One joyful expression of this is our Pom Pom Project, an activity as fun now as it was for generations past. Many hands across East Lothian and beyond have been busy making pom poms of all colours and sizes, and the creative explosion will be on display in The Hub, alongside drop-in pom-pom making sessions for both kids and adults, brought to you by Chandlers, NB. And you won’t be able to miss our classic Helter Skelter – traditional fun at its best, a true timeless treasure.
Park Life
Park Life features The CRIB, a converted 40-foot single-decker bus where you can explore music production, try DJing, or grab the mic with support from the Heavy Sound team. Outside the bus, enjoy free bike health checks, browse handmade crafts and gifts by young people, and see displays from the North Berwick Youth Project.
Open daily from 11.00AM-5.00PM.
Coulters Open Doors
Make sure to swing by Coulters’ pop-up space next to the Coulters Makers Market – meet their lovely team, take part in a range of family-friendly activities, and get a glimpse of some
of the best homes currently for sale in East Lothian. As a trusted local estate agent and solicitor firm, Coulters can confidently guide you through your property journey.
Kids Zone
We know how much little ones love Fringe By The Sea, so our Kids Zone is back – and it’s bigger than ever! Designed especially for our youngest festival-goers, it’s a fun-filled space packed with free activities and exciting ticketed sessions, including seaside science, circus play, and plenty of face painting. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Lynn Hill Garden
Discover a vibrant garden oasis by Lynn Hill Garden Design – an inviting space to pause, recharge, and reconnect with nature. Inspired by biophilic design, this lush retreat celebrates wellness and calm amidst the festival buzz. In collaboration with North Berwick in Bloom & Field and Thorn.
North Berwick Illustrated
Look out for the characterful and unique illustrated map of North Berwick created by Steven Butcher highlighting the amazing work that North Berwick Trust does around our town. More information about the progress of the map can be found @NorthBerwickMap.
Encounter
Pop by this inviting space to meet local groups, discover community projects, and spark a conversation. Designed and handcrafted by Edinburgh School of Architecture students, with support from Michael Lewis, it’s a place to connect and learn something new. Supported by Nisa Local North Berwick.
Dogs are welcome
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on site and at most shows – especially Graeme Hall: The Dogfather on Thursday 7th August. We do ask that they skip the busier standing events as those get a little too crowded. Check event listings on Citizen Ticket before booking. Look out for the Dog Water Station, kindly provided by local dog lovers Barker and Bone, to keep your four-legged friends cool and hydrated.
The Lighthouse Live Stage
The Lighthouse Live Stage returns for 2025 with a packed line-up of free live music, featuring rising stars, local legends, and festival favourites – full line-up announced in July, so keep an eye on our socials. Brought to you by The Lighthouse, North Berwick’s co-working hub and home to Team FBTS – need a desk or a meeting room during the fest? Visit lighthousenb.co.uk.
