Thursday 6 – Saturday 30 August

Millwall Jew

At the age of 71, Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina decided to go against the grain and support his nearest football club, Millwall, as opposed to the team typically favoured by Jews, Tottenham Hotspur. He explains as much in this show, which is a passionate rant about football, family and faith. The stalwart London comic has a reputation for rubbing audience members up the wrong way, using humour to tackle controversial takes on religion, and Millwall Jew is no different. Prepare to be offended. Performed as part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival (details below).

6pm. Pay what you can. Bar 50, EH1 1NE. www.ivordembina.com

Thursday 6 – Saturday 30 August

Obituary

Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina presents his own obituary live on stage, before others get the final word. Performed as part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival (details below).

2.15pm. Pay what you can. Bar 50, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE. www.ivordembina.com

Friday 7 – Monday 31 August

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

This annual celebration of the arts descends once again on the Scottish capital, inviting comedians, theatremakers and musicians from around the world to entertain millions of visitors over the summer. Highlights of a Jewish persuasion include Mark Thomas: 40 in Stand-Up Years, a show by the controversial comic who discussed his nine-week walk on the West Bank’s separation barrier on stage (Wall of Sound) and on paper (Extreme Rambling); Wiesenthal, telling the story of Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, who devoted his life to bringing Nazi war crimes to justice; and Couplet, featuring a musical duo navigating through their relationship.

Times, prices and Edinburgh venues vary. www.edfringe.com

Sunday 23 August

Festival Open Day 2026

Get a taster of some of the Jewish performers and events that Edinburgh Festival Fringe (running throughout August) has to offer at this open day. Bagels, cakes and hot drinks provided.

12.30pm. £15. Location provided upon booking. www.jcc.scot

Monday 1 June

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

Following the success of his album Still Blooming, which reached number one on the Official Jazz and Blues Albums Chart, Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum takes his jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, on their first ever UK tour. Hear classic American Songbook favourites as well as contemporary pieces, as Goldblum presents his signature crooner skills behind the piano. Read more about Jeff Goldblum and the tour on the JR blog.

7.30pm. From £51.50. Theatre Royal Glasgow, G2 3QA. www.atgtickets.com

Monday 8 & Tuesday 9 June

Dough

David Ian Neville’s 2008 play shines a light on the shifting demographics of Jewish and Asian communities, focusing on lead character Albie’s struggling family bakery. A firm favourite of older customers, the shop is at risk of closure when landlord Rasheed sets his sights on redeveloping the building. Determined not to give up, see how – and even if – Albie fits into these plans. 

6pm. £15, £10 concs. Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT. www.jcc.scot

Available indefinitely

Garnethill Refugee Trail

A self-guided walking tour that traces the lives of the hundreds of Jewish refugees who arrived in Scotland before World War II. Created by the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre, this tour includes sites such as Scotland’s oldest synagogue and ‘the house on the hill’, where refugees would meet alongside native Glaswegians to discuss politics and culture. The trail is free and available to download or from the SJHC in person. Read more about the Garnethill Refugee Trail in the Spring issue of JR.

FREE. www.sjhc.org.uk