2026 Elgin Fringe Special Events

FRINGE FIX
Featuring Plucky Rosenthal
at ELGIN ARTS HAPPY HOUR

MONDAY 8/31 • 5–7pm

Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar
COST: FREE
AGES 21+

Kick off a month of Fringe events with a FRINGE FIX pop-up performance featuring Plucky Rosenthal, an award-winning musical comedy variety act known for her signature warmth and vintage-tinged original songs.

This performance is a part of the Elgin Arts Happy Hour, a monthly event where local artists connect in a casual, welcoming space.

WHAT'S A FRINGE FIX?

FRINGE FIX
Artist TBA
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

FRIDAY 9/4 • 6-7pm

DuPage Court • Outdoor Plaza
COST: FREE
ALL AGES

Get a taste of Elgin Fringe at this free pop-up performance!
Enjoy live entertainment for all ages in the newly renovated DuPage Court plaza, right in the heart of Elgin. Artist details announced soon.

Come early for the Downtown Elgin Market, then swing by the Elgin Fringe Visual Arts Opening Reception (6-9pm) just a block away at Side Street Studio Arts Gallery. Make an evening of it with dinner and drinks just steps away in downtown Elgin!

WHAT'S A FRINGE FIX?

2026 FRINGE VISUAL ARTS OPENING RECEPTION

FRIDAY 9/4 • 6–9pm

SSSA Gallery
COST: $4 Festival Entry Button
ALL AGES

Join us for a special reception where you can mingle with our visual artists, see their remarkable work, and enjoy an exhibition featuring painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, and more.

SECOND THURSDAY IMPROV

THURSDAY 9/10 • 7–9pm

SSSA Back Space
COST: Pay What You Can ($10 suggested)
Rated PG-13

Improv teams take the stage for an evening of spontaneous scenes, unexpected characters, and plenty of laughs. A portion of the door goes directly to every participating team.

FRINGE FIX
Artist TBA
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

FRIDAY 9/18 • 6-7pm

DuPage Court • Outdoor Plaza
COST: FREE
ALL AGES

Get a taste of Elgin Fringe at this free pop-up performance!

Enjoy live entertainment for all ages in the newly renovated DuPage Court plaza, right in the heart of Elgin. Artist details announced soon.

Come early for the Downtown Elgin Market, then make an evening of it with dinner, drinks and shopping just steps away!

WHAT'S A FRINGE FIX?

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON

DRAG ME TO ELGIN...
DRAG SHOW!

SATURDAY 9/19 • 7–9:30pm

SSSA Back Space
COST: Pay What You Can ($20 suggested)
Ages 18+

Join host Linda “The Lunch Lady” and a fabulous lineup of performers for a drag show packed with big hair, high glamour, runway-worthy looks, and unapologetic drag magic.

2026 ELGIN FRINGE
PREVIEW PARTY

WEDNESDAY 9/23 • 5–7pm

Martini Room
COST: $4 Festival Entry Button
Ages 21+

2026 Elgin Fringe artists will preform short previews to lure you to their shows! We’ll also have Fringetinis, games, and plenty of silliness.

FRINGE CABARET! (NEW)

WEDNESDAY 9/23 • 7pm–?

Martini Room
COST: $4 Festival Entry Button
Ages 21+

The fun continues at the Martini Room after the Preview Party with the Fringe Cabaret! Anyone can sign up to give a short performance of whatever tickles their fancy.
You don't have to be a Fringe performer to participate!

The Fringe Cabaret will begin immediately after the Preview Party and will go until we run out of performers or the Martini Room closes, whichever comes first.

Performers will be called up via random draw over the course of the evening, and we ask that everyone registered comes ready to perform. There is no setup time.
Performances can be no longer than seven minutes, and can be anything the performer chooses as long as it is feasibly done within the Martini Room's performance area and with minimal tech support. Performers that are also performing in an official 2026 Elgin Fringe Festival show are welcome to join in the fun but may not perform something related to their official show.

All music and sound files must be submitted before performances begin.