The annual program of events features artists and acts from a range of styles including circus, cabaret, comedy, music, dance, theatre, film and visual art.

This led to the presentation of a pilot Fringe program in February 2011, staged in the newly purchased De Parel Spiegeltent in the Perth Cultural Centre.

In 2014 Fringe World revealed that it would be expanding its presence in Northbridge with another site of venues to be held in Russell Square, Perth, which would be transformed into The Pleasure Garden for the Festival's duration.

[7] The 2015 Fringe World Festival was held from 23 January to 22 February and was billed as "31 Days of Perthect", featuring a program of more than 500 events at over 100 venues throughout the Perth metropolitan area.

[9] The Gold Digger was presented by the Perth Theatre Trust as part of a long-term collaboration with Fringe World.

A new feature to the Festival was the Fringe World Fairground, which was part of the opening celebrations of the new waterside precinct, Elizabeth Quay.

[13] The 2019 Fringe World Festival took place across 169 venues and performance spaces and was held from 18 January to 17 February 2019.

[24][25] The 2022 Festival featured more than 400 shows in 100 venues, with Fringe World receiving additional government support due to the impact of COVID-19 and the border closures.

With support from Fringe World partner Woodside, De Parel Spiegeltent has toured to Karratha several times since 2012 to present shows at the Red Earth Arts Festival.

Fringe World events are presented at venues in the Perth metropolitan area and further afield in Western Australia.