Venue: Casa de Reyes, Old Town

5pm - 6pm 

Arrival and Welcome - Informal at the restaurant

6.00pm  

Welcome Dinner at Casa de Reyes, Old Town

This is a lighter arrival day designed to allow delegates to settle in, connect, and begin the Congress together.

• Delegates will gather for an informal opening dinner in historic Old Town San Diego. 

• Dinner is provided by the Congress - paid bar

• Transport guidance will be provided.

Panel Talk Day

Venue:  Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla.

Travel: Bus stop = Bus no. 30. Pearl St & Draper Av. Stop ID: 10003 

Closest Trolly - Blue line

MAP - 8 min walk from Trolly to venue

Transport guidance will be provided to all delegates.

Structured panels, keynote conversations and facilitated discussion sessions.

9.15am – 9.45am
Arrive and Register - Coffee break at 11

9.45am – 10.15am [ZOOM]
Opening Session
Opening provocation and framing of the Congress, setting the tone for global collaboration, exchange, and shared challenges across the Fringe sector.

• Holly Lombardo, Director - World Fringe - Welcome Provocation 

• Kevin Charles Patterson, Director - San Diego International Fringe

• Welcome from Museum of Contemporary Art 

• Intro to the team - Cath, John, Alexis, Ellaine

10.15am – 11.15am  [ZOOM]
Panel 1
How to establish and grow your Fringe in response to your community
Exploring how Fringe festivals emerge, adapt, and thrive by responding to local cultural needs, audiences, and artistic ecosystems.
When starting a Fringe, you must first seek what your city needs. Is it an international artist hub for performances that don’t typically tour to your area? Is it a central hub for local artists? This panel will dive into the various models we’ve seen work at various established Fringe Festivals today.

Moderator: Adam Potrykus, Stockholm Fringe Festival (STOFF)

Panelists: Cath Mattos (Wandsworth) (UK),  Kuljeet Singh from New Delhi (India), Kenneth Uphopho (Lagos Fringe), Ann Sabbah (Denver) (USA)

11.15am – 11.45am
Break

11.45am – 12.45pm  [ZOOM]
Panel 2
Building resiliency within your organisation
A discussion on crisis management, leadership transitions, sustainability, and maintaining momentum in changing environments.

This panel is intended to respond to the many hurdles facing organizations around the world today. Covering topics from crisis management (climate-change created ecological disasters, terrorism at mega events, and small-scale harm) to the difficulties faced during transitions of leadership in our (often) grass-roots organizations, this robust topic will leave audiences having a better understanding of how to fill in the gaps through strong strategic plans (with examples!)

Moderator: Ellen Den Herder (Hollywood Fringe)

Panelists: Dawn Bentley (Minnesota) (US), Patrick Kennedy (Sydney Fringe) (AUS), Nick Mataragas (Elgin Fringe Festival)(USA)

1.00pm- 2 .00pm
Lunch - Provided by the Congress

2.00pm - 3.00 pm  [ZOOM]

Panel 3
Responsibility in the pay-to-play model
Exploring funding structures, access, inclusion, and how festivals can balance financial models with equity, diversity, and reputation.

Due to a lack of arts funding, many Fringe festivals around the world use a pay-to-play model. How do we hold the model accountable, ensuring it’s worth it for participating artists (support, industry connections, financial support, network building) to combat the negative narrative associated with pay-to-play? Additionally, when anyone can participate, how do we initiate funding schemes, curated programming, and/or targeted outreach to ensure your festival has a diverse range of artists and audiences?

Moderator: Brenda Fashugba (Lagos Fringe)

Panelists: Danny Delahunty (Melbourne Fringe) (AUS), Lois Neville (Hollywood) (USA), Kirsty Fraser (Edinburgh Fringe Society) (UK) , Miri Hunter (Desert Fringe) (USA)

3.00pm – 4.00pm
Tour - Walk to The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, home of the La Jolla Music Society. Delegates will be welcomed on a  30 min tour of this important arts space.

7 minute walk (14 minutes there and back)

On behalf of our team at The Conrad, we are pleased to invite you to a special behind-the-scenes VIP Tour of The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 20 at 3 PM. This intimate experience offers a chance to learn fascinating facts about The Conrad, explore backstage, uncover unique architectural details, and discover little-known technical capabilities of our state-of-the-art facility. 

4.00pm – 5.00pm  [ZOOM]
Panel 4
Programming international work and the challenges
A practical conversation on international collaboration, including outreach, visas, funding, and supporting artists across borders.

How do we navigate the legal and ethical complexities of international touring and programming today? With shrinking funding, stricter border controls, and rising costs, the risks are increasing. Yet international exchange remains central to our work. How can festivals sustain this dimension, responsibly and sustainably, without exposing organisations or artists to legal or reputational harm?

Moderator: Holly Lombardo (World Fringe)

Panelists: Francesca Romana Vitale (Catania / Milano Fringe) (ITA), Chris Young (Hastings Comedy Festival), Dr Cam Abbott-Betts (UK) from Colchester Fringe (UK), Darren Lee Cole (Encore) (USA)

5.00pm

Ends / chill on the terrace & look at the Sealions! ...

Framing the Fringe Future
Venue: San Diego State University

Meeting point: Don Powell Theatre

A forward looking programme exploring the future of Fringe.
This day brings together ideas, innovation, and emerging practice to consider how the sector evolves in a rapidly changing world.

Confirmed themes include AI and social media.
Additional sessions may explore digital innovation, audience development, research and data, and new business models.

The day will close with reflections and next steps for the global Fringe network.

All Day
Design and Technology Showcase
Main Stage Lobby

9.45am – 10.00am  [ZOOM]
Welcome and Introduction
Main Stage Theatre

MFA Musical Theatre Performances
Cabin in the Wata from The Great Walter Ferguson Tape Hunt
Selections from Finding Home

10.00am – 11.00am  [ZOOM]
Panel: AI and Design
Main Stage Theatre

Featuring MFA Design and Technology students and Fringe participants. Jason Stahl, Asher Feinstein, Stephanie Maaloona

11.15am – 12.00pm
Art and Design Exhibitions
University Art Gallery

12.00pm – 1.00pm

Lunch and Merch Swap
Lamden Stage

Lunch will be outside in a grassy, park area at the Lamden Stage. We will have chairs available, and there are stone benches 

1.00pm – 1.30pm

Music and Dance Performance
Main Stage Theatre

Original musical excerpts from El Sidd and The Healers
Selections from the Department of Dance

1.30pm – 2.30pm
Panel:
Universities & Fringe Festivals, Building Creative Futures

[ZOOM]
Main Stage Theatre

How universities and Fringe festivals collaborate to support emerging artists, creative research, industry experience, and international exchange.

Dr. Xela Batchelder, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Fringe, will explore how Pittsburgh Fringe works with Point Park University through a student-led Fringe programme, alongside Fringe University, which uses the Edinburgh Fringe as a live classroom for arts management and experiential learning.

Kirsty Fraser, Artist Development Manager at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, will discuss how the Fringe connects universities and emerging artists to professional creative opportunities through artist development and industry engagement.

SDSU Representatives from San Diego State University will share their ambitions for future collaboration with Fringe festivals, exploring new opportunities for creative learning, research, and international exchange.

2.30pm – 3.30pm
World Fringe Closing Circle
Main Stage Theatre

3.30pm – 3.45pm
Break

3.45pm – 4.30pm
Tour of Campus Spaces and Immersive Performance
San Diego State University Campus

4.30pm – 5.30pm
Happy Hour Reception

Hostler Hall Terrace

5.30pm
End of Day

BAJA FRINGE DAY - Mexico

Saturday, May 23, 2026

More information: Click here 

Itinerary & Delegate Experience: HERE

FMM Immigration Form (required for crossing into Mexico): HERE  

Before Your Visit

For full itinerary details, transportation information, and delegate experience guidelines, please review the complete itinerary linked above.

9:00–9:30 AM - Delegate Pickup & Boarding — San Diego

International delegates will board private transportation in Downtown San Diego for the official Baja Fringe experience in Baja California.

Important:

* Passport required

* Printed FMM form required

* Please arrive 5 minutes early

9:30–11:30 AM - Border Crossing & Transfer to Mexico

Crossing into Baja California through the San Diego–San Ysidro / El Chaparral border crossing.

This timeframe includes:

* Immigration & FMM review

* Border crossing procedures

* Group transportation coordination

Please note that crossing times may vary depending on migration processing and border traffic conditions.

11:30 AM–12:15 PM - Playas de Tijuana Border Mural Visit

Brief stop at the border mural overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the U.S.–Mexico border.

Highlights:

* Introduction to Baja Fringe in Mexico

* Visit to one of the most symbolic cultural spaces along the border

* Reflection on artistic exchange, cultural connection, and movement across borders

* Shared moment marking the beginning of Baja Fringe in Baja California

12:15–1:15 PM - Transfer to Rosarito

Scenic coastal drive toward CEART Playas de Rosarito.

1:15–3:15 PM

Centro Estatal de las Artes (CEART) Playas de Rosarito & ArtWalk Rosarito Festival — Official Welcome

Global Fringe representatives will gather in Baja California for the official Baja Fringe welcome experience in Mexico.

Highlights:

* Warm welcome gathering for international Fringe representatives hosted by CEART Playas de Rosarito and ArtWalk Rosarito Festival

* Official alliance and collaboration signing moment — Baja Fringe enters Mexico

* Celebration of artistic collaboration and international cultural exchange with regional and international artists participating in ArtWalk Festival.

* Lunch featuring Baja California regional cuisine

3:15 PM - Return to San Diego

Departure back to the United States.

Estimated arrival: approximately 5:15 PM

Border Crossing Reminder

Border crossing procedures and travel times may vary depending on migration processing, traffic conditions, and group flow.

Thank you for being part of this historic moment as Baja Fringe expands into Mexico.

Free Day - lets explore! 

Keep an eye out here for updates on where we will be

Please bring ideas and exciting things to do!

We will run a VOTE during the conference on what to do... This will be in the delegates WhatsApp Group

1) chill, our own things

2) beach day at Hotel del Coronado

3) day in Balboa Park

4) something else!?... 

Evening

Venue: Centro Cultural de la Raza ,2004 Park Blvd 

8.00pm

Secret Cabaret 

For your eyes only... Do you have a hidden talent? This is your chance to share it with the world!

Followed by... San Diego Fringe Awards Night 

More info soon

Federal Holiday in USA

Memorial Day. No scheduled Congress programming. 

Hollywood Fringe Launch
Los Angeles

Optional travel to Los Angeles for the Hollywood Fringe Festival launch.