Underbelly Jobs — Edinburgh Fringe 2026

Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL

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Applications go directly to Underbelly — they handle hiring on their own platform. Paid roles meet the real Living Wage.

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Hiring summary

Recruitment opens
March 2026
Typically closes
July 2026
Festival dates
31 July – 25 August 2026 (Fringe)
Site setup starts
Mid-July 2026
Approx. seasonal hires
~500
Pay range
£12.71–£14.50/hr Real Living Wage

Roles they hire for

What it's like to work at Underbelly

One of the Fringe's biggest venue operators, running multiple sites across the city. Underbelly's Edinburgh venues include the Cowgate (the original underground space), Bristo Square (the open-air hub with the famous upside-down purple cow), George Square, and Iron Belly in the Old Town. They hire one of the largest seasonal teams of any Fringe employer, covering bar, front of house, technical, events, and site crew roles.

The pace is fast and the hours are long — most roles run six days a week through August, with bar and front-of-house shifts often starting late morning and finishing well after midnight. Underbelly pays at least the UK National Minimum Wage and most roles sit a little above it, with experienced staff and supervisors paid more. Site setup begins in mid-July, so early-July starts are possible if you're flexible. The venue has a reputation for being well-organised and for treating its seasonal team well — many people return year on year.

Pay

Most Underbelly seasonal roles pay between £12.71 and £14.50 per hour. That meets or exceeds the real Living Wage.

For the bigger picture, see our Edinburgh Fringe pay overview, the 2026 pay rates breakdown, and the UK minimum wage explainer.

Programme at a glance

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

173
Shows
3,651
Performances
8
Spaces
5 Aug – 31 Aug 2026
Date range
Performance spaces
Big Belly Belly Laugh Iron Belly Belly Button Jelly Belly Belly Dancer Cow Café Top Belly
Genres
Cabaret and Variety Children's Shows Comedy Dance Physical Theatre and Circus Music Musicals and Opera Theatre

When you'd be working

The 2026 programme at Underbelly runs 5 Aug – 31 Aug 2026, with around 3,651 performances. Site build starts Mid-July 2026, so the earliest shifts begin before the programme opens.

Busiest days (most performances, so most shifts): Fri 14 Aug · Sat 15 Aug · Fri 21 Aug · Sat 22 Aug · Fri 28 Aug.

Shows at the Fringe 2026

A snapshot of what's on at Underbelly this year. We don't sell tickets — every show links out to the official Fringe listing.

Show all 162 shows at Underbelly →

Shift patterns

Based on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme schedule. Actual shifts will depend on your role — bar and front of house staff typically start before the first show and finish after the last.

11:05
Earliest show start
18:00
Latest show start
19:00
Latest finish

Busiest days

Days with the most performances — expect the longest shifts and busiest venues on these dates.

Fri 14 Aug
152 shows
Sat 22 Aug
152 shows
Fri 28 Aug
152 shows
Sat 15 Aug
151 shows
Fri 21 Aug
151 shows

How to apply

  1. Open the Underbelly recruitment page (the button below).
  2. Pick the role you want and submit your application directly.
  3. Apply early — the most popular roles fill first. Most positions are filled by July 2026.
Apply at Underbelly

Frequently asked questions

No — Underbelly does not provide accommodation for seasonal staff. You'll need to arrange your own housing in Edinburgh for August. Book early; rooms in walking distance of the city centre fill up by April.

Bar and front-of-house roles are open to people without prior festival experience, although busy hospitality experience is a strong plus. Technical and site crew roles usually require relevant trade or stage experience.

Recruitment typically opens in March 2026 via underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/jobs and continues filling roles into July. Apply as early as you can — the popular roles fill fastest.

Most Underbelly seasonal roles pay between £12.71 and £14.50 per hour, depending on role, experience, and shift pattern. Late-night and supervisor rates sit at the top of that range.

Yes, provided you have the right to work in the UK. You will need a National Insurance number and a UK bank account before your first shift. Visa-only enquiries are usually not accepted.

Related venues

Assembly Festival
Bar, Front of House, Box Office
Gilded Balloon
Bar, Front of House, Tech
Pleasance
Bar, Volunteer, Box Office
Summerhall
Front of House, Bar, Gallery

See all Edinburgh festival venues →

Or see every venue currently hiring at the 2026 Fringe →

Show listings via the Edinburgh Festivals Listings API.

Quick facts

Roles they hire
Bar Staff Front of House Technical Events Site Crew
Pay

£12.71–£14.50/hour

Real Living Wage
Apply at Underbelly Browse all jobs

Programme data updated 28 Jun 2026