Dive in to the full 2025 Fringe by the Sea programme
EZRA COLLECTIVE, AIR, HOT DUB TIME MACHINE, HAMISH HAWK, BOOMTOWN RATS, RORY STEWART, GEORGE CLARKE, ALAN DAVIES, RUBY WAX, JOE WICKES, THE DOGFATHER, SIR CHRIS HOY, FI & JANE RADIO SHOW WITH JUDY MURRAY and WAVELENGTH – A NEW MUSIC FILM FESTIVAL
Join the newly announced:
JIM MOIR (AKA VIC REEVES), BLUR’S DAVE ROWNTREE (DJ SET), STEPH McGOVERN, HAMZA YASSIN, DJ SET WITH STUART MURDOCH & STUART BRAITHWAITE, FRED MACAULAY, CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS WITH PATRICIA HODGE
The full programme for this year’s Fringe By The Sea in North Berwick will be available at www.fringebythesea.com from 10am on Thursday 5 June.
With over 250 events across 10 days (1–10 August), the festival spans music, comedy, conversation, film, and family entertainment. From hands-on workshops in The Border Bothy to artisan discoveries in Coulters Makers Market, all set against the backdrop of Conde Nast Traveller’s UK’s Best Seaside Town 2025, it is little wonder that people flock to East Lothian in August.
Now a firm fixture in Scotland’s festival scene, Fringe By The Sea has this year attracted acts making their only appearance north of the border this summer, such as the Ezra Collective and AIR, who will be performing their seminal album Moon Safari in an astonishing ‘white box’ stage show. Former North Berwick resident Hamish Hawk will be returning to headline an incredible indie night also featuring Billy Nomates, Cloth and Blur’s Dave Rowntree doing a DJ set
The final programme also includes Jim Moir (stage name Vic Reeves) talking about his life as both an artist and one half of one of Britain’s best loved comedy double acts; sharp-witted TV host Steph McGovern; everyone’s favourite dancing nature presenter Hamza Yassin; Scottish comedian Fred MacAulay and an indie DJ set with Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite and Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch (who will also be talking about his book, Nobody’s Empire); and Christopher Biggins in conversation with Patricia Hodge (in aid of Leuchie House).
New for 2025 is Wavelength, a music film festival strand supported by Screen Scotland. Running throughout the festival, it features Seaside Screenings, filmmaker talks, and gigs inspired by film. Guests include Irvine Welsh, director Tim Pope, and rising Scottish acts such as Redolent and the documentary Since Yesterday, featuring the untold story of Scotland’s girl bands. To wrap things up, the RSNO is performing the tunes from James Bond to bring the festival’s curtain down.
The family programme is bursting with fun for all ages. Expect high-energy performances from pioneering dance troupe Flawless, science thrills from 2025 Olivier Award-winning Brainiac Live, and magic from Kevin Quantum. Crowd favourites like Mr Boom, Artie’s Singing Kettle, and Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco return, alongside musical mayhem from Sprog Rock and Comedy Club 4 Kids. The expanded Kids Zone includes Lego and clay play, yoga, seaside science and more, plus the brand-new Wavelength Music Film Festival will include films for young audiences in a pop-up cinema. The Nature Day at the Scottish Seabird Centre is another family favourite.
Across the festival, a mix of ticketed events, free drop-ins, and surprise pop-ups ensures there’s something for everyone—making Fringe By The Sea an accessible and welcoming experience for all.
Fringe by the Sea is delighted to welcome Border Biscuits as a new Community Partner for 2025. Drop into The Border Bothy for a warm and welcoming mix of workshops and relaxed chats, from animation and jewellery making to baby massage. Inside, The Border Nook offers a cosy corner to enjoy a biscuit and a breather, with surprise pop-up moments throughout the festival. Get hands-on at the Build-a-Border-Biscuit pop up station, and don’t forget to visit the Border Biscuit Box for your favourite treats and exclusive festival merchandise.
North Berwick Trust will continue its support for Fringe by the Sea as a Master Partner through the three-year grant funding announced in 2023, showcasing its own work and facilitating local community group involvement within the free-to-access North Berwick Trust Hub.
Following a hugely successful debut in 2024, The Times and The Sunday Times return as media partners for 2025, with events including The Sunday Papers alongside The Sunday Times Scotland on Sunday, August 3, and Off Air with Jane & Fi: In Conversation with Judy Murray on Friday, August 8.
Tennent’s also returns to the festival bars for 2025, joined by Magners as the cider of choice, ensuring festivalgoers stay refreshed throughout the ten-day event.
The festival organisers are thrilled to welcome back Coulters Property as Community Partner for the fourth consecutive year. Coulters, who have recently expanded their presence in East Lothian with the opening of their new North Berwick branch, are looking forward to continuing their involvement with the Makers’ Market. The market will be open throughout the 10-day event and celebrates the craftsmanship of talented makers from across the county. Coulters will also be supporting the George Clarke event, helping attendees discover their own “amazing spaces.”
Brought to you by The Lighthouse, North Berwick’s co-working hub and home to FBTS, the popular Lighthouse Live stage also returns.
Fringe By The Sea is proud to be supported by a fantastic group of Affiliate Partners who help make the festival the vibrant and successful event it is. We’re delighted to partner with a range of businesses – many of them local – including Gilsland Park, Signman Print, Shaw Design, The List Magazine, John Clark Volvo, Chandlers, ReUse Scotland, Drem Timber, Emma Cross Interior Design, Caledonian Horticulture, Lind & Lime Gin, Audio Light Systems in partnership with Samsung, and Lynn Hill Garden Design. Their support and collaboration are vital to the festival’s continued growth and community impact.
According to the Economic Impact Report conducted by MKA Economics for Fringe by the Sea 2024, the festival’s visitor spending has contributed an additional £9.9 million to the local economy. This marks a 36% increase over the 2023 figure, highlighting the growing economic significance of the event.
Festival Director Rory Steel said: “As word of Fringe By The Sea’s welcoming atmosphere and brilliant talent on show spreads year after year, we’re always aiming to keep one step ahead with an ever more impressive line-up. And what a billing we have this year, with more than 250 events taking place in North Berwick this August, there’s absolutely something for everyone.
“Of course none of this would happen without the magnificent team who work for the festival as well as our wonderful volunteers that provide such an important role. We are also really pleased to bring Borders Biscuits to the Fringe By The Sea table – there is a strong chance that I may not lose quite so much weight from dancing over this years’ 10 days!”
For further information contact:
Fiona Duff
fiona@duffpublicity.com 07710 419762
Link to FBTS Media Pack is here
Link to Wavelength specific Media Pack is here