2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival Must-See List

We've reached the dog days of summer, with a string of 90+ degree days, and devastating wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada that at times make our air quality here in the Twin Cities dangerous. But #TCTheater has not taken a summer hiatus; I'm busier this summer than any summer I can remember. And that will continue into early August when I attend my 16th MN Fringe. The 33rd Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival runs from August 6th through the 16th, with some 100+ shows having five performances each at venues around Minneapolis, most of them clustered around the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. After 33 years, the Festival runs like clockwork (thanks to the hard-working staff and volunteers), so it's easy to get out and see one, or a handful, or dozens of shows, those that fit your interests, and those that expand your comfort zone. Visit the Fringe website to peruse the schedule and make your plans, or keep reading for a dozen or so shows that I recommend (most of them from artists I…