Therme Manchester champions Aufguss at Edinburgh Fringe

Therme Manchester has announced a partnership with Sauna Sessions Arts Club to support Sauna Theatre, an ambitious new project at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that aims to introduce thousands of people to the art of Aufguss and help establish a new wave of British sauna culture.

Sauna Sessions Arts Club is a pioneering organisation exploring the intersection of sauna, art, wellbeing and social connection. Therme Manchester will be the UK’s largest urban wellbeing resort and the partnership forms part of its wider commitment to promoting the physical, social and cultural benefits of sauna and wellbeing experiences.

Opening in August 2026 as part of Summerhall Arts’ Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, Sauna Sessions Arts Club’s Sauna Theatre will be the UK’s first purpose-built sauna arts centre and – with seating for 80 people – it will be the UK’s largest sauna venue of its type.

“We are beyond excited to open the doors to the UK’s first Sauna Theatre and bring together the extraordinary powers of heat and art.”

Created by James Grieve and Lucy Osborne, Sauna Theatre brings together an ambitious programme of theatre, literature, comedy, music and Aufguss – an immersive sauna experience that combines heat, essential oils, movement and performance – all within the soothing heat of sauna.

Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “Aufguss is hugely popular across Europe but remains relatively unknown in the UK. Through this partnership we have an opportunity to introduce new audiences to the experience while supporting a growing community of independent sauna operators and practitioners across the country. We see this as the beginning of a wider movement that celebrates the social, cultural and wellbeing benefits of sauna.”

James Grieve co-founder of Sauna Sessions said, “We are beyond excited to open the doors to the UK’s first Sauna Theatre and bring together the extraordinary powers of heat and art.

“We know profoundly the power of theatre to connect people, fire imaginations, broaden horizons and engender happiness. We think combining the enrichment of art and culture with the incredible health and wellbeing boost of sauna will double the benefits and double the joy.”

Lucy Osborne, Sauna Sessions co-founder added, “We are immensely grateful for the support and partnership of Therme Manchester in our inaugural season. Therme shares our belief in the social and cultural benefits of sauna, and we hope and believe that together we can introduce people to a new way to experience art and leave feeling amazing.

“With Therme Manchester as a valued partner, we’re so excited to welcome Edinburgh audiences to relax, revive and be inspired in Sauna Theatre.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe attracts millions of visitors annually and is widely regarded as the world’s largest arts festival. In 2026 it will be the first time that sauna culture has been placed at the heart of a major cultural event for the first time in the UK.

The partnership will see Therme Manchester supporting international sauna masters travelling to Edinburgh while helping to showcase Aufguss to entirely new audiences beyond traditional wellness and spa settings.

Charlotte Harbour, Director of Food and Wellbeing at Therme RPC said, “The evidence for sauna is compelling and growing. Beyond cardiovascular benefits, recent research shows that regular sauna use supports mental health, reduces stress and anxiety, strengthens immune function, and may even help reduce the risk of dementia. But what’s equally important is the social aspect–the ritual, the community, the sense of belonging. At Therme Manchester, we’re creating spaces where guests experience all of these benefits together.