The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest open-access arts event, is set to introduce an unconventional performance space in 2026: a sauna theatre. Dubbed the "Sauna Theatre," this venue will be the UK's biggest sauna and the first of its kind designed specifically for theatrical productions.
Located at Summerhall, one of the Fringe's most prominent venues, the Sauna Theatre is the brainchild of designer Lucy Osborne and director James Grieve. The pair previously collaborated on Paines Plough's Roundabout theatre, a touring auditorium with a capacity of 167. Their new project aims to merge the sensory benefits of sauna culture with live performance, creating an immersive experience that organizers say will "double the benefits and double the joy."
Wellness Meets Performance Art
The venue will accommodate up to 80 people and will be heated to approximately 90 degrees Celsius. It will feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, designed to enhance the audience's sensory engagement. According to Osborne and Grieve, the endorphin-releasing environment of the sauna is intended to improve blood flow and relax muscles, allowing spectators to fully immerse themselves in the performances without distraction.
"We know profoundly the power of theatre to connect people, fire imaginations, broaden horizons and engender happiness," the duo told Time Out. "We think combining the enrichment of art and culture with the incredible health and wellbeing boost of sauna will double the benefits and double the joy."
The program includes morning sauna raves, literary salons, and Aufguss sessions—rituals involving essential oils, towel work, and storytelling. Additionally, the lineup features a sauna-based reimagining of Virginia Woolf's The Waves and a remixed version of Nick Cassenbaum's Bubble Schmeisis. Club nights and a range of music, theatre, and dance performances are also planned.
This initiative reflects a broader trend across Europe where wellness and culture increasingly intersect. For instance, Europe's art hotels have long blended contemporary art with hospitality, and the Sauna Theatre extends this concept into live performance.
The project is designed to be modular, with potential to tour the UK after its debut at the Fringe. The Edinburgh Fringe, which runs from 7 to 31 August, attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually, making it a significant platform for such experimental ventures.
While the Sauna Theatre is a novel addition to the Fringe, it also taps into a growing interest in wellness tourism across Europe. From Nordic sauna traditions to modern spa culture, the continent has a rich history of integrating relaxation with social experiences. This new venue could inspire similar projects in other European cities, further blurring the lines between art and well-being.
