Edinburgh Festivals

In August and September every year Edinburgh comes alive with performers from all over the world from actors and musicians to comedians and authors. 

The ‘Edinburgh Festival’ includes more than six major events that run from the end of July into the beginning of September.

The International Festival first came on the scene in the late 1940s closely followed by its unconventional younger sibling, The Fringe Festival where anybody who can put a show together and find a place to stay is welcome to put on a production. In the years that followed Edinburgh became more and more the place to be in August for both aspiring talents and established names in the arts.

Don’t worry if you’ve missed out on the most popular shows already, there is plenty going on every day and you can get up close to the atmosphere just by walking round up the Royal Mile and the Mound in Edinburgh’s city centre. There’s always last minute tickets available and new shows to discover.

Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival offers an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy the arts live. There is always a good mix of the well-known and new talent from across the globe. Opera, dance, music and theatre are all on offer here.
www.eif.co.uk

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Now in its 60th year, the Fringe is ‘the largest arts festival on the planet’ (Guinness Book of World Records). Breaking records every year just by its incredible size and popularity, the Fringe brings thousands of performances to the city. It has launched the careers of many now famous actors and comedians.
www.edfringe.com

Edinburgh International Book Festival

The ever increasingly popular Book Festival has over 650 events for readers of all ages, including 600 authors from over 35 countries. There are workshops, discussion panels and debates.
www.edbookfest.co.uk

Edinburgh International Film Festival

Also celebrating its 60th year, the Film Festival is showing the best of new film from around the world including exciting premieres. There is a focus on German films this year, and so much to choose from that they even provide a “suggest-o-tron” to help you pick films you’ll really enjoy. (The Edinburgh International Film Festival now takes place every June).
www.edfilmfest.org.uk

Starbucks Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Bringing Jazz to the people in the largest Jazz event in the UK is Jazz on a Summer’s Day held in Princes Street Gardens. This is a free event that will have you wanting more. There’s plenty on offer with the New Orleans style Mardi Gras in the Grassmarket and many individual performers to enjoy.
www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk

Edinburgh Mela

Beginning in the 1980s, the Edinburgh Mela was started by people from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and other parts of the Asia. The Mela is always a colourful event with people in costume, arts and crafts.
www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Staged in front of the castle, one of the most spectacular venues in Edinburgh, the Military Tattoo is a sight visitors during the festival should definitely not miss. There are performers from over 30 countries attract an annual television audience of 100 million worldwide.
www.edintattoo.co.uk

Edinburgh Art Festival

Now in its third year, the Edinburgh Art Festival is developing into a major international visual arts event. There will be lots of exhibitions to visit with free entry plus talks and walks, bringing you the highlights of the festival.
www.edinburghartfestival.org