HEY Buskers!

Welcome to the Saskatoon Fringe!

Applications for the 2025 Fringe are now open.

Photography credit Nicole Stevenson Photography

Fringe Artists

Fringe Vendors

Volunteer

Billet

become a fringe busker

Applications are now OPEN for the following outdoor performer roles at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe:

  • Fringe Circle Buskers
  • Fringe Pop-up Buskers
  • Fringe Roving Buskers
  • Fringe Baby Buskers

Please scroll down to view frequently asked questions regarding these spots.
If you have any further questions please email drew.mantyka@25thstreettheatre.org 

fringe Circle busker application
pop-up/roving/baby busker application

Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis.

Circle busking slots are geared towards individuals or groups with large-scale acts (i.e. aerialists, escape artists, fire breathers, etc.).
Pop-up & Baby Busking slots are geared towards individuals or groups with small-scale acts (i.e. solo musicians, card magicians, living statues, etc.)!
Baby Buskers are those new to busking and are under 18 y/o: the fees are lower to participate, and you won’t have as much of a time commitment to the Festival.
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When reviewing applications, we will be focused on:
  • exposing our patrons to a variety of art forms,
  • ensuring a quality experience for our patrons, and
  • providing a safe and respectful environment for our patrons, other artists, volunteers, and staff.

When/Where is the Fringe?

The 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival will run from Thursday July 31st to August 9th, 2025.

Our outdoor festival grounds are open to the public from 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM on weekdays during the Festival and from
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM on weekend days (including the holiday Monday).

Location:  W.E. Graham Park and 11th Street E.
PLUS : For three days (August 2nd to 4th, 2025), we will be expanding our site onto Broadway Avenue between 10th Street East and 12th Street East for our Broadway Days.

Please note: There is no parking provided for the Festival.

BUSKER FAQS

What are the fees? When can I withdraw until?

How much does it cost to be a circle busker?
The fee to participate is $155.00, plus GST.
If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

How much does it cost to be a pop-up busker?
The fee to participate is $55.00, plus GST.
If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

How much does it cost to be a baby busker?
The fee to participate is $25.00, plus GST.
If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

Where will I perform?

There are two circle busking pitches:

Broadway & 11th Street Pitch – This is a ground level, asphalt surface of approximately 30′ x 30′.
W.E. Graham Park Pitch – This is a wooden surface of approximately 24′ x 24′ with a 6″ rise.

Electricity is available at both pitches.

There are three pop-up and baby busking pitches:

Broadway Avenue – Sturdy Stone Stage in front of Ecole Victoria School
11th Street East – amongst the artisan vendors
11th Street East – near the entrance to W.E. Graham Park

The two 11th Street E pitches will be 8′ x 8′, and the dimensions of the Sturdy Stone Stage are approx. 10′ x 10′.

What support can I expect from the Saskatoon Fringe Festival?

We want your performances to be a huge success, so we will help as much as we are able.  That said, we are a small staff serving many artists so our capacity is limited.
We are happy to provide the following services for our circle busking artists:
– billeting services
– complimentary bus pass
– access to one, 15-V plug during the performances
– access to on site storage space for performance items
– promotion on our social media accounts
We are happy to provide the following services for our pop-up and baby busking artists:
– access to on site storage space for performance items
– promotion on our social media accounts
– complimentary bus pass
– discount on Fringe merch and artist pricing in the licensed area

Will you provide access to electricity? A speaker? Microphone? Chairs?

Unfortunately no*, we are not able to provide these things for our buskers.  It is your responsibility to bring what you will need in order to have a successful experience.
(*The circle busking pitches will be equipt with ONE u-ground plug to be used during your performance.)
We will set up a Facebook group closer to the Festival for all busking performers to be a part of if they choose. In the past, our buskers have had great success in renting speakers, PA systems, etc. together to split the cost.

How many performances do I get?

Pop-up buskers will have a minimum of 8 performances scheduled.
Baby buskers will have a minimum of 2 performances scheduled.
Roving buskers will be scheduled based on conversation with the individual artist.

What happens if it rains?

Rain or shine, the Fringe goes on!
Should the weather devolve to a state where the Festival can no longer operate safely, The Theatre reserves the right to cancel the Festival in whole or in part due to weather circumstances which jeopardize the health and safety of the Vendor, Festival staff, Festival volunteers, and/or Festival patrons.
There are no refunds issued for any cancellation due to inclement weather, but we will endeavour to reschedule any missed performances in good time.
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