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Friday, July 25, 2025

2025 Minnesota Fringe Festival Must-See List

This summer marks the 15th anniversary of Cherry and Spoon, which also means it's my 15th time attending the Minnesota Fringe Festival; I first jumped into this wild theater marathon in 2011 after my first full year of blogging. I started with seeing just 10 shows that first year, peaked at 54 shows (out of a possible 56) in 2016, and have since settled into the 30-40 show range, which I've found is doable for me, but still a fun challenge. There's really nothing like the Minnesota Fringe Festival for adventurous art and supportive community vibes, but you don't have to see double-digit shows like the pros, you can just see a few shows. The festival is very organized and well-run, with a comprehensive website that will tell you everything you need to know. Keep reading this post for my Fringe tips, after my annual Minnesota Fringe Festival Must-See List.

In alphabetical order, here are the shows I'm most excited to see this year. Click on the show title to be taken to the show page with all of the details including showtimes, cast, and venue.

I know Fringe can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, but don't let that stop you. Just pick a few shows, or a venue, and get out there and see some shows! It's an incredibly well-run festival, which makes it easy, painless, and fun to see some adventurous art. After a year without it, the U of M's Rarig Center is back as the hub of the festival (with three theaters in one building). All but one of the Fringe venues are walkable from there (the Barker Center, Mixed Blood, Theatre in the Round, and the Southern), and Open Eye is a pretty quick drive (depending on traffic). There are also a few independently produced venues that are in various neighborhoods in Minneapolis. I recommend making the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood your home base, and try to group shows that you want to see at other venues together and see them all on one or two days (detailed venue info here).

Here are a few Fringe tips for newbies (as always, refer to the Fringe website for the most up-to-date and correct information):

  • Sign up to receive the daily Fringe File email, which has tons of info and tips about everything from weather to parking to sellouts to discounts at local businesses.
  • It looks like a button is no longer required, but it gets you $5 off tickets plus other discounts on food during the festival and shows year-round, so it's to your benefit. Plus it makes a fun souvenir! You can purchase them at the Fringe preview on July 30 or at any venue box office.
  • If a show is particularly popular, or you really really want to see it, consider reserving a seat in advance ($5 for passholders, or included in the $25 online fee). You can also take your chances and just show up (25% of tickets are reserved for walk-up sales). I typically only make reservations for a handful of shows that look like they might be busy (you can check the show's page to see if it's in danger of selling out, and the daily Fringe File also has sellout info).
  • All shows are general admission, so get there early for best choice of seating. Shows begin and end precisely on time (it's rare, but I have been at a show that reaches the hour mark, when the stage lights go down and the house lights go up - show over!).
  • Shows typically run just under an hour, with a half hour between shows so it's feasible to get from any theater to any other in that time. But it's good to plan to see a bunch in one location to minimize transportation time.
  • Bring snacks, water, reading material, and sunscreen - you will be waiting in line, probably outside. And be aware of what line you're in (box office or theater entrance). Ask one of the friendly volunteers in the Fringe shirts if you need help with anything.
  • If you need more than a snack - check out the daily restaurant deals with your Fringe button. I also recommend downloading the Chipotle app to order ahead and pick up a couple of tacos to inhale in line at the Southern or Theatre in the Round.
  • Keep an open mind - some of what you'll see is really weird. But that can be a good thing! And if you see a dud, well, that's part of the Fringe experience.
  • Be adventurous! See something you normally wouldn't - that's the point of Fringe. If you don't like it - it'll be over in an hour.
  • The Fringe website has pretty much all the info you'll need, so bookmark it on your smart phone for easy on-the-go reference! You can plan your schedule right there, or if you love spreadsheets as much as I do, you can download the full show list and schedule from the website. Just go to the FAQ page, click to open the "Printable Schedule" section, then click on "download our Sortable Schedule."
  • Attend the final preview show on July 30 at Rarig, at which you can see three-minute excerpts of 30 shows, or check out the videos posted on YouTube.
  • Most importantly - be adventurous, be safe, be kind to the volunteers and your fellow Fringers, have fun, and support the Minnesota Fringe Festival and the many many artists we're lucky enough to have (or have visit) in the #TCTheater community!!