100% of Hamilton Fringe Festival ticket revenue goes directly back to the artists. That makes the purchase of a Fringe Backer Button an important way for audiences to support the festival itself. Every Backer Button sold will help the Hamilton Fringe Festival to continue thriving, giving future Fringe artists new opportunities to share their work with you!

Fringe Backer Buttons are not required for children under 12 or for virtual shows.

Every Fringe patron over the age of 12 needs to wear a Fringe Backer Button to access paid in-person shows. If you are not wearing your button when attending an in-person paid show, you will be required to purchase a new one.

When you buy a single ticket or book a ticket as part of a pass online, you will see the option to add a Fringe Backer Button to your basket on the checkout page. Our ticketing system will remind you about the Button with every purchase—you only need to buy a Button ONCE.

You can pick up your button at the Fringe Club Box Office or any venue by presenting your order confirmation email. Buttons are also available for sale at every venue. 

Fringe Backer Buttons are not required for children under 12 or for virtual shows.

Accessibility details for each venue are available here.

For details about complimentary tickets for Support Persons & Personal Support Workers and other info, go to hftco.ca/accessibility.

You can also contact the Box Office directly at boxoffice@hftco.ca or 289-698-2234. We’re happy to answer your questions and make arrangements to ensure you have the best possible experience.

Hamilton Fringe Festival passes have two steps: (1) buying; (2) booking. If you bought a pass, don’t forget to book your tickets! When you are logged in to your account (the same account/email address you used when you bought your pass), our ticket system will recognize you as a passholder and will automatically change Full Price tickets to free passholder tickets. The ticketing system will track your pass uses for you, and will stop discounting tickets when you have used all your tickets. All you need to do is add a Full Price ticket to your basket! You can also use your pass for a walk-up ticket at the door, as long the show is not sold out. Please give the email address and full name you bought your pass under, and the Box Office staff at the venue can book your ticket. Booking your tickets in advance is the only way to guarantee your seat!

Read more about the passes available here. Passes are non-transferable (the person who bought the pass must be one of the guests).

If your tickets are not being discounted or there appears to be an error in the check out process, please email boxoffice@hftco.ca or call 289-698-2234 and a Box Office representative will look into the issue. 

Don’t forget to buy your Fringe Backer Button! If you are bringing a guest with you to a show, your guest will need to buy a Button at the door.

This is our ticket system’s way of telling you that your show begins in 60 minutes or less! Online bookings close one hour before show time. Tickets will be available for sale at the door, unless a performance is sold out. If you see this message, head on down to the venue!

Bring Your Own Virtual Venue shows: you will receive a Purchase Reminder Email with your virtual show’s access details on the first day of the festival. This information should not be shared or distributed.

In-person shows: you will receive a Purchase Reminder Email the day before your event. Your Order Confirmation or Purchase Reminder Email act as your ticket and contain the Venue, Show Date, and Show Time. Please check in with the Box Office at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

If you require wheelchair-accessible seating, priority seating for individuals who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, use a mobility device or service animal, or other specific seating requests, please contact the Box Office to make arrangements. Learn more about Accessibility at hftco.ca/accessibility, including detailed venue information and specific performances featuring ASL interpretation, Relaxed Performances, and Closed Captions.

Check your spam folders for an order confirmation from boxoffice@hftco.ca. If you still do not see your order confirmation, please email boxoffice@hftco.ca or call 289-698-2234 and a Box Office representative will look into the issue.

Good news! All on-demand shows are available to stream for a period of eleven days during the festival, July 21-31 2022. You can use the access information in your Purchase Reminder Email to watch your show anytime.

Please see specific show times for The Role Play and Making It Up (One Playwright To Another)—you should watch those shows on the date and time you bought a ticket for.

All shows start ON TIME. Some performances may be able to seat latecomers within the first 15 minutes, but it is not guaranteed – it depends on the venue, the seating location, and whether a company has decided to allow late seating or not. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to avoid disappointment!

All programming on the Fringe Club Outdoor Stage is FREE and NO TICKET IS REQUIRED. Come on down and join us outside Theatre Aquarius (190 King William St)!

You might want to book a FREE ticket if you’d like an email reminder about a show or event on the Outdoor Stage. Booking a FREE ticket also gives you the chance to tell us about any accessibility requirements you may have when you check out.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your event so our ushers can ensure you have the best possible experience.

We’ll miss you, but don’t worry! Free events at the Fringe Club Outdoor Stage, Fringe Club Patio or Family Fringe Hub don’t require a cancellation.

Some performances are identified as “Relaxed Performances” or “RP”. Relaxed performances offer reduced audio and stage light levels, modification of startling technical elements, and freedom for audience members to move around or exit. Learn more about relaxed performances and other accessibility information at hftco.ca/accessibility.

The Movement Museum (BYOV #6 – Defining Movement Dance) and The House Key Project (BYOV #1 – Theatre Aquarius Backstage) are “promenade shows.” These shows include an experiential guided tour of their venues, led by the performers. Audience members will be walking and traveling to different spaces throughout the show.

The creators of The House Key Project specifically advise “A lot of walking! 86 stairs! Dark spaces! Low ceilings!” The backstage areas of Theatre Aquarius being used for this show are NOT accessible.

All sales are final. We do not offer exchanges or refunds. If you have made an error in the booking process, please email us at boxoffice@hftco.ca and we will do our best to assist you.

You can phone the Hamilton Fringe office at 289-698-2234 or email the Box Office at boxoffice@hftco.ca.