1 of 10
The 2005 Edinburgh Fringe begins on 7 August with a parade down Princes Street, the city's main thoroughfare. More than 200,000 festival-goers are expected to watch the event.

2 of 10
Among the shows this year is Tao - Martial Art of the Drum. Japan's celebrated drumming troupe perform at the Assembly Hall, formerly the home of the Scottish Parliament.

3 of 10
The Munich Shakespeare Company's "pop-opera" version of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Roxy Art House is one of numerous Shakespearean productions on offer.

4 of 10
In Luxuria, Scottish Dance Theatre "fuse the narrative of theatre and the language of dance". The show is at the Southside, which reopens in 2005 after two years of closure.

5 of 10
Cat in the Bag Theatre Company are presenting Love Sick - "an odd little adventure of romance and vomit" - at the Underbelly, located on Edinburgh's atmospheric Cowgate.

6 of 10
Among the many music offerings is Mr McFall's Chamber, whose eclectic blend of jazz and rock is sure to find an appreciative audience at the Queen's Hall.

7 of 10
New York cabaret stars Kiki and Herb make their Edinburgh debut at this year's festival. The larger-than-life duo toured the UK in 2004 with the pop group Scissor Sisters.

8 of 10
The Lady Boys of Bangkok, who perform in a circus big top on the Meadows, have become Fringe favourites in recent years. After Edinburgh they take their show to Newcastle.

9 of 10
Another company heading to Edinburgh from the Asia-Pacific region is Korea's Ye-Gam Inc. Their new show, Jump, revolves around a family of martial arts experts.

10 of 10
Fringe Sunday, which falls on 14 August this year, is a free open-air event featuring more than 200 acts in 11 enclosures. The 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from 7 to 29 August.