BFF Binge Fringe Festival: Free Fridays at Nine

Theatre that costs nothing is rare in this city, and the Santa Monica Playhouse has made a habit of it. Its BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre is now in its 11th year, running October 13 through November 20 with about 40 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. The Friday slate is the late-night corner of the festival: one show each week at 9pm, and each one is a different flavor of personal, funny, and occasionally raw storytelling.

If you are putting together things to do in Los Angeles this month, a free fringe festival belongs on the list.

When: Fridays at 9pm, October 16 through November 6, 2026 Where: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St, Santa Monica Running time: About one hour, no intermission

The Friday lineup

Four nights make up the series, according to the listing:

• October 16: Ruth Brand's RUTHLESS, followed by refreshments and a reception.
• October 23: Michael McHale's A Search for Robert Hennessy, recommended for ages 16 and up.
• October 30: David Pavao's POSTER CHILD: How Charlie's Angels Kicked My Ass Out Of The Closet, directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, ages 15 and up.
• November 6: Betsy Cox's Broke Bitch Got Rich, produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson, ages 18 and up.

The age notes matter. The series is not one size fits all, so check the date you plan to attend before you bring a teenager or a plus-one.

What to expect

Fringe festivals favor small casts, tight running times and performers telling their own stories. These hour-long pieces lean comedic and autobiographical, and the festival's listing places the series under comedy and LGBTQ theater. Expect an intimate house rather than a big-budget production, and expect to stay for a drink and a chat afterward on opening night, when the reception is part of the evening.

The festival also live-streams its shows, which is handy if Friday traffic on the Westside talks you out of the drive.

Planning your night

The listing does not publish a ticket price, but the festival bills itself as free, and the Playhouse box office can confirm how to reserve a spot at (310) 394-9779. Seats at free events tend to go fast, so it is worth confirming before you head over.

Santa Monica Playhouse sits a short walk from the Third Street Promenade, which makes dinner beforehand easy. Parking structures are nearby, and the Metro E Line ends a few blocks away in downtown Santa Monica. For more theatre and comedy nights across the city, browse our comedy listings and see what else is among the LA events this weekend and beyond.