The world's largest arts festival swallows Edinburgh whole every August: 3,000-odd shows in basements, big tops and converted lecture theatres, running from breakfast until 5am. Build days around two or three bookings and leave gaps for punts on unknowns — the Free Fringe's pay-what-you-like shows produce the best stories. Beds are the battle; book by March or commute from Glasgow. Late-night comedy at the Monkey Barrel beats anything on television.
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