After 26 years of living in the capital and over 10 years of Fringe shows, we’d like to think we’re quite well equipped when it comes to the Fringe.

To help you out, ready to tackle a day exploring the mayhem, we’re sharing what’s in our ‘day-to-day’ bag for the Fringe.

Firstly, make sure you take a small to medium-sized bag – it’s easier for sliding under your seat at shows and you’ll not need to worry about your bag in the crowds. Plus, it’s a good excuse that you can’t take leaflets if they don’t fit…

Poncho
Probably the easiest to guess item on our list…the poncho! Edinburgh’s weather is temperamental at best and for some reason it likes to put on quite the show during the Fringe. One minute you’ll be sunglasses on basking in Scottish rays, fast-forward to three hours later attempting to squeeze beneath the Pleasance awning as drops of rain slide down your face… Umbrellas just aren’t practical when you’re navigating huge crowds as you’ll spend every second saying ‘sorry’ for almost whacking someone in the face and be stuck with a soaking wet umbrella leaving a puddle at your feet when you’re in a show. A poncho is our best friend when it comes to festivals and can be just as easily folded (or rather shoved) back into your bag when the sun inevitably returns.

Sunglasses
Sticking to the weather theme, you never know when sunglasses may come in handy. From the designed protecting role to our go-to hair accessory, sunglasses are also the perfect hangover disguise. Trust us, after one too many 5am nights out you’ll be grabbing them to avoid any more sunlight or eye contact with chirpy flyerers while you make your way home. Better so, during the Fringe you’ll see quite the characters on the streets so a pair of sunglasses won’t make you stand out even at 5am, unlike any other time of the year.

Tissues
Unlike outdoor festivals, there are plenty of indoor toilet facilities throughout the Fringe venues. However, when it reaches 4am and the makeshift pop-up bathrooms have ran out of loo roll, you’ll be prepared. This is especially a tip if you’re heading to pop-up bars, where we can almost guarantee at one point there’s bound to be a need for them at some point.

Deodorant/Perfume
Fringe venues can get extremely hot. It’s natural things are going to get sweaty so we always come prepared – just incase! We’re not talking a huge can, a roll-on or mini will do. Perfect for freshing up between shows without any hassle!

Hair Bobbles
In the same vein as above, hair bands/bobbles/ties – whatever you want to call them – are needed when things get a little too hot. In some cases, we’ve walked into venues with straight hair and came out with it curly thanks to the heat adding a little kink or two – we’re not joking. Throw a bobble in your bag or around your wrist and you can shove your hair up if needed. Also a good tip if the weather turns sour, you can shove it up with no need to worry.

Portable Phone Charger
You’re out all day, there are thousands of things you could snap & share – make sure your phone is prepared! You can grab a portable charger fairly cheap online and make sure you’re all charged up before heading out. Popping into a cafe to top up your phone isn’t an easy task during the Fringe so to save you sitting on the floor of Starbucks, get your own on-the-go to charge while you embrace the atmosphere or for top-ups between shows. As a side note while we’re on the topic of phones, make sure you download the Edinburgh Fringe app to keep up-to-date with all the shows – plus it includes a handy map!

Paracetamol
Yes, we’re being sensible. There’s nothing worse than being stuck with a headache as you try to navigate your way through hoards of crowds to reach a shop for a cure. Stock up pre-Fringe and keep them on you just incase! Even if it’s not you who ends up suffering, your friends will thank you.

Snacks

There’s plenty of choice for food in and around the Fringe, but you can’t go wrong with a few extra snacks just incase. If you’re limited for time between shows, a cereal bar can save the day to avoid that awkward rumbling stomach in a small venue. Shows can overrun and food van queues can be unpredictable so make sure you’ve a back up – think of small snacks that can easily be eaten and fit in your bag without fuss!

Lipstick
If you’re heading for a full Fringe day, lipstick can take your look from day to night in one swipe. Admittedly, if you’re here for longer than a week, your Fringe ‘look’ goes out the window and eye bags are the new fashion staple, but as long as it’s there for backup. You never know who you might bump into…

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