Top 10 Nerdy Must-See Picks of Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025

Runs Sept 4 to 14th, 2025.

Not many acts from the Victoria Fringe Festival are heading to Vancouver Fringe Festival 2025, but that’s no reason to skip it! When most live theatre acts examine the “game of life,” letting us explore the human condition through the safe lens of an observer, what’s presented are often eye-opening in more ways than one!

Solo shows, a hallmark of Fringe, make this exchange especially powerful—raw, intimate, and deeply personal. Unlike film, which often leans on escapism, Fringe thrives on honesty. Other forms of theatre will vary, but ultimately, when we can connect with the story, the meaning isn’t hidden; it’s right in front of us, asking us to feel, reflect, and engage.

Over the years, I’ve seen countless performances that deserve standing ovations. Many artists return with fresh material or clever twists on familiar acts, and that’s part of what keeps me coming back. Although one performer missed the lottery for my local Fringe, he’s thankfully back at Terminal City. This individual has consistently stood out, earning a spot in my top ten yet again. I won’t reveal their name just yet, but longtime readers may already recognize the work—newcomers will have fun seeing if they can guess who it is.

This year’s picks are presented in alphabetical order. These links go to ticket purchases and showtimes.

1. Duck Duck Moose

   Duck Duck Moose is a Canadian satire inspired by Squid Game, where one audience member is thrust into twisted children’s games. Contestants and archetypal characters compete under the watch of a hockey referee wearing moose antlers. The show blends high-stakes absurdity with live improvisation from a powerhouse cast. Each performance is unique, highlighting the illusion of choice and audience participation. Fast, funny, and ferociously bleak, it’s a morality play about power, greed, and heroism.

2. Erika the Red

   When Erika’s peaceful village is destroyed by Vikings, she embarks on a legendary quest for revenge. Determined to survive, she learns to adopt the skills and tactics of her enemies. Her journey is filled with challenges, from mastering combat to outsmarting her foes. Along the way, Erika discovers her own resilience and cunning. This high-energy performance blends historical adventure with humour and determination.

3. False Creek False Tours

   The crew of the False Creek Ferries returns with a hilarious reprise of their hit show. Audiences are guided around the harbour by a skipper who delights in bending facts. Expect a mix of absurd landmarks, including the world’s largest Tesla Coil and a skyline of non-Euclidean madness. With only twelve seats per trip, the tour offers an intimate, immersive experience. Truth is optional, but laughter is guaranteed.

4. How I Learned to Hug

   Jon Bennett explores the intricate nature of love, loss, and human connection in this award-winning show. Set in the surreal context of being detained at Montreal Airport, the performance blends humour with heartfelt storytelling. It examines intimacy and vulnerability through relatable experiences. Originally a hit at the 2018 Vancouver Fringe, the show returns for a wider audience. Expect a mix of reflection, comedy, and emotional depth.

5. It’s Not the End of the World

   In a not-so-distant future, humanity struggles to cope with environmental and personal challenges. A woman faces infertility, while a man compulsively fills his empty apartment with packages. Meanwhile, animals navigate their own precarious realities. Using masks, puppetry, and music, the show explores loneliness, perseverance, and the search for hope. The piece mixes dark humour with poignant reflections on our world.

6. Luminarium

   In a post-pollution world, two workers are tasked with revitalizing a derelict factory. Their mission begins by the book but soon turns into a journey of discovery and play. Through unexpected mishaps, they uncover the joy of creativity and imagination. The wordless performance fuses juggling, physical comedy, and object manipulation. It’s a hopeful, solarpunk fable about collaboration, curiosity, and saving the future in playful ways.

7. Snatched

   Set in Edinburgh, 1829, the School of Anatomical Sciences faces a shortage of cadavers. Desperate individuals resort to murder to supply the demand. Agnes Gillies, a 32-year-old woman with few prospects, turns to grave-robbing. Amidst her macabre work, she finds companionship in a silent, gentlemanly corpse. This dark comedy explores morality, survival, and unexpected forms of connection.

8. STAND 

   STAND challenges the line between actor and audience, exploring the space between reality and performance. The immersive show invites participants to experience theatre as both observer and participant. It blends storytelling, movement, and sensory elements to expand perception. Originally performed in Japan, the Vancouver edition brings multicultural cast and audience interactions. The experience encourages reflection on identity, creativity, and connection.

9. Witch with Her Skirt on Fire

   This storytelling performance explores the pagan archetypes of maiden, mother, and crone. Megan Markham weaves generational tales of heartbreak, growth, and magic. The show highlights intersectional feminine experiences with humour and insight. Audiences are treated to a solo performance blending myth and modern reflections. It’s a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and enchantment.

10. Weird Owl Karaoke

    Weird Owl Karaoke presents comedians performing parody songs with YouTube karaoke tracks. A mischievous puppet, Weird OWL, adds chaos and humour to the show. It’s been a Vancouver favourite for over a decade. Audiences can expect both absurdity and clever musical comedy. This interactive experience is quirky, long-running, and entertaining for all ages.