The Besties 2026: Week Three Winners

This year's Edinburgh festivals come to a close this weekend after thousands of performances, exhibitions and events across the city. And so to does the 2026 edition of The Besties – we handed out the third and final batch of our awards at the Festival Theatre this morning. The Besties celebrate all of the Edinburgh festivals, honouring the best of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival and more. Read on for a rundown of our week three winners...

The Kids Award: Comedy Club 4 Kids

With a line-up that changes every day, Comedy Club 4 Kids does exactly what the name suggests – it’s an introduction to live comedy for a new generation which rewards repeat visits. You never quite know what you’ll get, and with some of the acts enjoying their first experience trying to make a bunch of kids laugh, they don’t know what they’re in for either. It’s the Fringe in microcosm, a space to grow comedy audiences of the future as well as an opportunity for comics to experiment with adapting their act for the most terrifying critics of all. Assembly George Sq Gardens (Piccolo), until 30 Aug, 2.35pm

The Accessibility Award, selected by Gig Buddies: The Festival Fringe Society

'It's great knowing I can approach the front of house team, have them scan my ticket and all of my access requirements show up. I don't have to divulge any personal information in front of anyone. No one asks me any questions. It's meant that I've not had an awkward experience at the festival in years.' – Neil, Gig Buddies Member

'Gig Buddies with Thera Trust believes that the Fringe Society embody the ethos that the festival is for everyone. From the systems they've put in place that enable people to easily make their access requirements known, to their openness in asking for feedback from access customers in creating resources, to the incredible implementation of 'no questions asked' +1 tickets for people in supporting roles. What's more, their Fringe Days Out initiative works with over 30 local charities ensuring cultural, financial, and accessibility barriers can be broken down, and more people can access the festival who otherwise would not. Our experience of the Fringe Society's attitude towards access and inclusion is that they are world-leading.' – Sam Maggs, Gig Buddies Project Manager

'Their policy of not requiring documentation to give people access accommodations is great. It saves people hassle and cultivates a positive, trusting culture.' – Molly Tavella, Gig Buddies Project Coordinator

'The Fringe team are accommodating, understanding, and really listen to people.' – Joseph, Gig Buddies Member

The Soul of the Fringe Award: Palestinian Circus: Step and a Half

We can’t think of a show that sums up what the Fringe should be about more than this year’s show from Palestinian Circus, Step and a Half. There is immense talent and technical skill on display, incredible innovation of circus arts through the fusion of dabke music, and a throughline of resilience and joy that is simply breathtaking to watch. We talk a lot about what it means to create resistance out of joy and this is the best example of it we have seen: it is a call to keep moving, to keep dancing, to keep connecting to people across the world. Underbelly's Circus Hub, until 29 Aug, 2.05pm

[the gender euphoria award]: Trans Masc Studies: History is a Home

Trans Masc Studies is a rare and heartening space for trans people to reclaim their own histories and futures beyond the distorting media narratives peddled by Scotland's anti-trans movement. It also demonstrates Edinburgh Art Festival's long-term engagement with queer art and LGBTQ+ communities/issues, as well as their commitment to platforming work which seeks to shift the discourse in their home city. Custom Lane, until 30 Aug

The Impact Award: The Legacy Museum, The Legacy of Slavery

This carefully considered, highly detailed display offers necessary perspective on the reality of the transatlantic slave trade, its enduring manifestations and Scotland’s complicity in it. The Legacy of Slavery provides a factual basis which underpins much of this year’s EIF programming. Situated within the gilded surrounds of the University of Edinburgh’s Playfair Library, the exhibition is unflinching in its representation of the evolution of oppression. It’s just around the corner – if you haven’t been yet, go. Playfair Library, until 30 Aug

The Breakthrough Award: Dane Buckley

The Skinny team praised Dane Buckley’s incredibly strong writing and consistent performance in debut hour Darling from the start to the very end. Comedy editor Phoebe Crawford said: “I didn’t stop laughing and also crying – equal parts moving and hilarious! I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it.” Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker One), until 30 Aug, 6pm

The Solo Play Award: Farah Ashraf and NAZAR Arts, Little Stitch Productions for Pink Rabbit

For those of us who have seen many a Fringe festival, the solo show can become an old and dreaded form, but Pink Rabbit jolted us back to its potential. The moment Farah Ashraf speaks as Amna, an 18-year-old OnlyFans creator hiding a double life, we're gripped by this skilled solo performer with something fresh and exciting to say. Exploring faith, desire and the intoxicating power of attention, Ashraf makes an indelible impression with a debut that lands its laughs and emotional punches in equal measure.

In our five-star review, we said: “Ashraf navigates the raw naiveté, humour, charisma and spirit of Amna with sensitivity. Her Amna is gutsy, vibrant, naughty and vulnerable… bouncing back and forth between Amna’s character and those around her with command and fluidity.”

The Local Hero Award: Craig Manson for Bunny!

One day very soon, this proverbial (and in some cases, literal) circus will leave town, and Scotland’s artists will go back to the hard task of creating, producing and developing exciting new work.

Craig Manson’s Bunny! is a clever, ambitious and hilarious satire of life as an artist in Scotland. It’s a tale of the scramble for funding and opportunity, but it’s also a shining example of the joyful and energetic arts scenes that exist across Scotland. The Skinny praised Manson’s performance for its “passion and vigour”, while Fest said that Bunny! offers “arch reflections on the meaning of fame and art”. It’s cheeky, it’s funny, and it has a surprisingly high body count for a one-person show – Bunny! captures the invigorating, disheartening, beautiful and tragic nature of creativity, and of working as hard as you can to make the art you want to make.

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The Besties are a collaboration between The Skinny, Fest, Capital Theatres, and Premier Scotland. Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening across the Edinburgh festivals. The Besties will return in 2027.