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Fantastic arts and culture events in 2022

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Fantastic arts and culture events in 2022
Fantastic arts and culture events in 2022

*Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, if you are planning to visit in 2022, please check the event website for the latest information.*

Do you know what kind of entertainment you like, but not where to go and see it in Scotland? Then you’re in the right place! Scotland is the perfect stage for all kinds of events, so here’s a round-up of just some of what you can experience, including music, theatre, dance, art and comedy festivals.

While you’re here, you might be interested in Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

If coasts and waters are your thing…

 Culzean by the Sea at Culzean Castle & Country Park, dates TBC.

Culzean Castle © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Make your castle visit extra special by heading to Culzean Castle & Country Park’s brand-new sculpture trail, Culzean by the Sea. Visitors can admire the work of artist David Powell’s real and mythical sea creatures, all made from willow. Starfish, seahorses and even mermaids are just some of the sculptures making their summer residence here.

That’s not all! If you complete the trail, you’ll even be entered into a prize draw. A few of the top prizes up for grabs include a NTS annual membership, a weekend cottage stay, and a gift hamper.

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy Scotland’s coastal spots and attractions, check out these events:

If laughter is the best medicine…

…then you might like the Glasgow International Comedy Festival (2022, Dates TBC)

A statue of a man on horseback with a traffic cone placed on his head.

Duke of Wellington statue, Royal Exchange Square

Glasgow crowds are known to be amongst the best, when comedians can get them on side, that is! So join some of the loudest laughters and funniest hecklers to watch the likes of Alexei Sayle, Bridget Christie and Richard Herring at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. It’s the largest of its kind in Europe.

If you can’t make it, fear not, the funnies keep coming at the following festivals:

If music is your food of love…

… then you might like the Royal National Mod in Perth, in October 2022

Scotland knows how to hit the right note when it comes to music – so throw in a high-calibre arts festival and you’re definitely on to a winner. Let your voice be heard in the Fair City of Perth at this year’s Royal National Mod, celebrating the country’s mother tongue language through singing, choir performances and duets. Though it’s a music festival at its heart, the event also includes drama, Gaelic literature, history and dance.

If that isn’t quite what you’re looking for then perhaps one of these music events, which range from rock to folk, might strike a chord:

If you’re a poetic soul…

…then you might like the StAnza Poetry Festival in St Andrews from 9 – 13 March 2022.

Looking over to people paddling on a beach, with houses and the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral in the background.

StAnza is back for another year with lots of performances, workshops, discussions, gigs and screenings that are taking place during this vibrant festival. UK poets appearing at this year’s festival will be joined by international poets from countries including Germany, Ireland, Estonia, the Netherlands and Belgium.

It’s not just poetry – here are literary events taking place across the country where you can enjoy prose in various forms:

If you’re a film fanatic…

…then you might like the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival in Hawick from 28 April – 2 May 2022 

On old mill building with a vibrantly lit extension.

Tower Mill, Heart of Hawick

Based at the Heart of Hawick, which is the festival’s central venue, Alchemy is an international festival of experimental film. Be immersed in a diverse range of short and feature-length screenings – expect world premieres, film art installations and… the unexpected!

For more film fun you should check out:

If you’re looking for more drama in your life…

…then you might like the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival from 20 – 29 May 2022

Electrolyte by Wildcard © Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival

Electrolyte by Wildcard © Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival

Covering a range of high quality performance arts, including dance, theatre, music, comedy and spoken word, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, Scotland’s largest rural multi-arts festival, isn’t only for theatre lovers – in fact fans of all things thespian will find plenty to tickle their fancy here.

For dramatic entertainment featuring up and coming talent pick one of these:

If dance stirs your soul…

…then you  might like the Edinburgh International Festival, from 6 – 28 August 2022

Dancers perform with huge fans of feathers.

A dance theatre production, Edinburgh International Festival

Needing little by way of introduction, the Edinburgh International Festival has been bringing world-class arts to the capital since 1947. The programme will feature leading international dance, theatre, music and opera companies.

And if that’s got your feet tapping, then these will too:

If the visual arts are alluring…

…then you might like Spring Fling in Dumfries & Galloway from 2 – 5 June 2022

A bright former church is adorned with paintings, with a table of art supplies in the foreground.

Julie Dumbarton’s Studio, Langholm. Image © Spring Fling / Colin Hattersley, all rights reserved.

Scotland’s premier arts and crafts open studios event sees over 90 artists and makers open their doors across the south west of Scotland in 2022. Pop in to have a nosy and discover how the artists work and what inspires them. Also look out for the Spring Fling Fringe, which accompanies the event with a programme of music and arts performances.

For more artistic endeavours head to:

If you want to get creative…

…then you might like the Colonsay Festival of Spring (2022, Dates TBC)

A close-up of corncrake.

Corncrake, Oronsay RSPB reserve, Argyll. Image © RSPB, all rights reserved.

Combining art and nature, this festival celebrates the wonderful island of Colonsay with an array of events. At the Colonsay Festival of Spring you can join wildlife walks with the RSPB, attend a foraging workshop, listen to evening talks and try crafts such as tapestry and Colonsay wool dyeing.

You can try out all kinds of activities at festival workshops at the following events too:

One to watch out for in 2022 is – a ground-breaking celebration of creativity taking place across the UK. It will feature free, large-scale events, installations and globally accessible digital experiences in the UK’s most ambitious showcase of creative collaboration.

Scotland’s contribution, Dandelion, will demonstrate the power of collective action in a Scotland-wide ‘grow your own’ initiative. With sustainability at its heart, the Dandelion programme follows the arc of the growing season, from April to September, and will culminate in hundreds of harvest festivals across Scotland – reimagining the cultural celebration of harvest for the 21st century.

Beyond Dandelion, Scotland will also host five other projects presented as part of UNBOXED.  Check out unboxed2022.uk and www.dandelion.scot for more information.

Not found what you’re looking for? Then search for more cultural events or head over to the iKnow Community to find out what events and festivals people are recommending.

Been to something great? Then let us know on Facebook or by using #OnlyInScotland on Instagram or Twitter.

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