Magic is taking over Edinburgh as an enormous lineup of illusionists, mentalists, card magicians and family entertainers arrives for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Preview performances began on August 5, ahead of the Fringe’s official August 7 opening. The festival continues through August 31, with the official Edinburgh Fringe website reporting that more than 4,000 shows have now been announced across every performance genre.
Magic once again represents a major part of the program, with shows ranging from intimate card magic and psychological illusion to comedy, robots, science and large-scale family entertainment.
Here are some of the standout magicians appearing at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.
Ben Hart Invites Audiences Into The Labyrinth
Fringe favorite Ben Hart returns with a new production titled The Labyrinth.
Described as funny, dark and surreal, the show combines Hart’s distinctive theatrical style with mind reading, impossible magic and reality-bending mysteries. Hart has become one of the Fringe’s most recognizable magicians, regularly attracting large crowds with performances that balance unusual ideas and strong storytelling.
Ben Hart: The Labyrinth plays at the Palais du Variété in Assembly George Square Gardens at 6:20 p.m. View showtimes and tickets through the official Fringe listing.
James Phelan Brings Showman to Edinburgh
James Phelan arrives with Showman, a comedy magic production coming to Edinburgh following a sold-out West End run.
Phelan became widely known after a lottery prediction generated such a reaction that viewers reportedly overwhelmed the BBC switchboard. His new Fringe show promises a mixture of comedy, audience participation, mind reading and seemingly impossible magic.
The production also arrives with a major accomplishment: Phelan became the first magician to sell out a two-week solo engagement at The Magic Circle.
James Phelan: Showman begins at 5:15 p.m. at Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows. Find performance dates and ticket information here.
Andrew Frost Presents Contemporary Card Magic
Andrew Frost returns with the unusually titled Just Let Me Have This.
The premise finds Frost trying to present an entertaining card magic show while becoming increasingly frustrated by people attempting to determine how his tricks work. The result combines contemporary card magic, comedy and Frost’s understated personality.
Frost has earned praise from several major names in magic, including Derren Brown and David Blaine. His 2025 Fringe appearance also received attention for turning an hour of card magic into an intimate and engaging theatrical experience.
Andrew Frost: Just Let Me Have This plays at the Baby Grand in Pleasance Courtyard at 3:25 p.m. Visit the official show page for dates and tickets.
Mario the Maker Magician Returns With Robots and Magic
One of the most distinctive family performers at the Fringe, Mario the Maker Magician returns to Edinburgh with his combination of handmade robots, original magic and modern slapstick.
Mario has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Sesame Street and Universal Kids. He has also toured with David Blaine, who has called him one of the world’s best children’s magicians.
The show is fast-paced, interactive and designed for both children and adults. Its combination of magic, technology and homemade inventions gives families something very different from a traditional magic show.
Mario the Maker Magician plays at McEwan Hall at Underbelly, Bristo Square, beginning at 11 a.m. See the official Fringe listing here.
Kevin Quantum Explores an Invisible Force
Scottish magician and scientist Kevin Quantum returns with Invisible Force, a new show exploring the unseen forces that shape the world.
The production brings together Quantum’s background in science and magic, promising electricity, impossible moments and reality-bending demonstrations. The official description asks audiences to consider what may be the most powerful force in the universe.
Quantum was trained by Penn & Teller and has won the Best Magic award at the Adelaide Fringe. His ability to combine scientific ideas with theatrical magic continues to give his work a unique place in the Fringe lineup.
Kevin Quantum: Invisible Force plays in the Ballroom at Assembly Rooms at 6:45 p.m. Find tickets and dates on the official Fringe website.
Tim Licata Returns With Absolutely Magic 2026
Tim Licata brings a new hour of magic, mind reading and comedy to PBH’s Free Fringe.
The Chicago-born performer has become a familiar figure in Scotland’s magic community and returns with new material created for 2026. Absolutely Magic 2026! promises an approachable and entertaining mixture of impossible magic, audience interaction and mentalism.
The show takes place at Carbon’s Room 2 at 3:45 p.m. and is presented as a free, non-ticketed performance.
View the official listing for Absolutely Magic 2026!
1 Hour of Insane Magic Moves Into a Larger Venue
Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey are returning for their fourth year with 1 Hour of Insane Magic.
Following multiple sellout seasons and a successful appearance at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe, the trio has moved the show into the larger Debating Hall at Teviot. This year’s production promises new illusions, high-energy comedy and plenty of audience participation.
The performers have built the show into one of the Fringe’s most recognizable ensemble magic productions. Its combination of three different magical personalities gives the audience a fast-moving experience rather than a traditional solo performance.
1 Hour of Insane Magic plays at 5:30 p.m., with dates running throughout August. View showtimes and tickets through the official Fringe listing.
Even More Magic at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
Those seven productions represent only a portion of this year’s magic lineup.
Other shows include:
- The Tom Brace Magic Hour
- The Greatest Magic Show
- Charlie Caper’s Magical
- Ava Beaux’s The Witching Hour
- Chris Dugdale’s 1 Astonishment 2 Many
- Sean Alexander’s 1 Moment in Time
- Chris Fleming’s 90s Magic Throwback
- Adults Only Magic Show
- Afternoon Comedy and Magic Selection
- Dave Reubens’ Magic Survival Guide
- Elliot Bibby’s Abracadada
- 1 Hour Straitjacket Escape Magic Show
The range demonstrates how broad magic has become at the Fringe. Visitors can choose between family shows, late-night adult productions, free performances, mentalism, comedy magic, card shows and experimental theatrical experiences.
MagicWeek has compiled an extensive guide to magic and magic-related shows at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe. Visitors can also search current schedules through the official Fringe ticket directory.
With so many different performers appearing across Edinburgh, it would be possible to build an entire Fringe visit around magic alone.
Show schedules, prices and ticket availability may change during the festival, so attendees should confirm current information with the Fringe or individual venue before traveling.
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