BorderLight 2025 will run July 16-19, 2025.

In the Playhouse Square District, Downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

Find the full map on page 6 in the Festival Guide. 

Most shows are $15. Kids’ tickets start at $10. Bundled ticket packs offer discounts.

You can purchase tickets online at borderlightcle.org/2025-Festival, in person at the Main Box Office (City Club, 1317 Euclid Ave), or 1 hour before showtime at select venues.

As a nonprofit, we’re committed to being transparent and financially responsible while supporting the artists you come to see. In compliance with new FTC regulations, we can no longer charge a flat $3 order fee at checkout. Instead, we now include a $1.25 fee in the price of each ticket.

This change took effect after the Guide was printed, so those listed prices don’t reflect the new structure.

We keep this modest fee to help cover essential operational costs, ensuring we can continue to serve our mission sustainably.

After covering unavoidable credit card and ticketing platform fees, we split the remaining ticket revenue 50/50 with the artists. Your purchase directly supports their work and keeps our organization running strong.

Yes! Look for the “Free” stamp in the guide for free outdoor performances and events.

You can also filter shows by "Free" on the 2025 festival page. www.borderlightcle.org/2025-festival

Visit the Main Box Office & Info Hub at the City Club (1317 Euclid Ave, Suite 100). Staff can assist with tickets, directions, and general questions.

Box Office Hours:

• Wednesday, July 16: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

• Thursday, July 17: 3:00 PM – 9:45 PM

• Friday, July 18: 3:00 PM – 9:45 PM

• Saturday, July 19: 10:00 AM – 8:45 PM

Outdoor shows may be delayed or rescheduled due to weather. Be on the look out for email communications and/or social media for updates.

BorderLight is committed to creating a safe experience for artists, vendors, and guests. Individual shows may have masking requirements - please check the specific show page for more information. 

What are Binge-on-Fringe Passes?
These are discounted ticket packs that let you see multiple Fringe shows at a lower price. They’re flexible and can be used across days or shared with others.

What pass options are available?

• 4-Pack – $55 (8% off)

• 8-Pack – $108 (10% off)

• 12-Pack – $153 (15% off)

• Fringe Jr. 4-Pack – $40 (for any Fringe Jr. shows)

How do I use my pass?
After purchase, you’ll receive digital tickets. You can choose your shows in advance or use the pass credits as you go.

Can I share a pass?
Yes! Passes are fully sharable—bring friends or family and use your credits however you like.

Do passes work for all shows?
Passes work for all ticketed Fringe and Fringe Jr. shows—except for Black is the Color of My Voice and Sharif. Fringe Jr. packs only work for Fringe Jr. shows.

Are passes good for more than one day?
Yes! You can spread your pass credits across multiple days of the festival.

How do I get a pass?
Purchase passes online at borderlightcle.org, or in person at the Main Box Office during the festival.

For further ADA-related questions, please contact Heather, BorderLight’s Accessibility Coordinator, at accessibility@borderlightcle.org or by phone at 216-356-6485.

For additional information and considerations, our full Accessibility Page is coming soon.

Absolutely! Shows labeled “Fringe Jr.” and others with age recommendations make it easy to find kid-friendly options.

FringeJR is a curated selection of BorderLight Festival shows that are perfect for young audiences—but fun for everyone!

These performances feature family-friendly content like circus acts, magical stories, dance battles, interactive theater, and more. Whether you're attending with kids or just love imaginative, joyful theater, FringeJR has something for you.

Most FringeJR shows take place on Saturday, July 19, in a welcoming family zone in the Playhouse Square District.

You can easily filter for FringeJR performances on our 2025 Festival page to explore all kid-friendly options.

Fringe Jr. shows are priced to be accessible for families:

• Kids 5 and under: FREE
• Kids age 6-14: $10

You can buy tickets:

• Online at borderlightcle.org
• By phone (May 28-July19) at 216-356-6485

Discounted Fringe Jr. packs are also available:

• 4-pack: $40

You can fill out our volunteer form here and BorderLight's Volunteer Manager will be in touch soon. You can also email us at volunteer@borderlightcle.org

Fringe performances are self-produced theatrical productions by emerging artists. Fringe Festivals bring these performances together to offer a wide spectrum of genres and shows for all interests. There are now hundreds of Fringe Festivals worldwide.

The “fringe” concept first developed in 1948 in Edinburgh, Scotland, when groups of local actors, performers, and musicians—in reaction to the more conventional lineup of the Edinburgh Theatre Festival—launched an alternative program to run concurrent to the main event. Now almost 77 years later, the term ‘fringe’ widely refers to work that resides on the edges of the mainstream—and fringe festivals have served as a critical launch pad for independent artists to self-produce, showcase original work, engage new audiences, and network with fellow indie artists and producers inside of a vibrant festival environment.

There are now 100s of fringe festivals in North America and across the world... and each has its own structure and personality.

The BorderLight Festival is a proud member of the United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF) and World Fringe Network (WFN).