Father Christmas
Father Christmas by Chris Forbes is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Monkey Barrel Comedy. It has 25 performances listed, running from Tue 4 Aug, 13:30 to Sun 30 Aug, 13:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Critically-acclaimed Scottish comedian Chris Forbes brings Christmas to the Fringe this summer. Expect trees, tinsel and tragedy. A hilarious, heartfelt stand-up show about festive joy, family and the Christmas Day that changed everything. Blending big laughs with beautiful storytelling, the deeply personal Father Christmas is for anyone who loves, or hates, Christmas. Nominated for Best Show at Fringe World and star of Scot Squad. 'Brilliant company – honest, insightful very funny' (Scotsman). 'Not one to miss, seeing Forbes was an absolute treat' (VoiceMag.uk). 'Brilliantly observed... laugh-out-loud stuff' (Herald).
Details
- Performer: Chris Forbes
- Venue: Monkey Barrel Comedy
- Space: Monkey Barrel 2
- Genre: COMEDY, Stand-up, Solo show
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - SCOTLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 65 seats (Monkey Barrel 2) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 25, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Access features: Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: To access Monkey Barrel 2 and its bar area there are 14 stairs down a stone staircase with a metal handrail. Stairs: 11- 20 Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 6 published reviews and 15 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
It’s August so naturally we are greeted by tinsel, a digital log fire burning next to a Christmas tree and the sounds of “Fairytale Of New York” playing.
4.5 stars On one of the hottest days so far this Fringe, a sold out show took place in a Old Town basement, there was A/C to take the edge off.
Inevitably, with time gone by, there's some reflection on those passed. And acknowledgement of the crass gaudiness of the period, with the comic denouncing Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
— The Scotsman (3 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Tue 4 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £8.00
- Wed 5 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £8.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £8.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 13:30 — Already performed — £13.00