Edinburgh Festivals

Each year the Edinburgh Festivals bring a wave of colour and soaring excitement to the city. These festivals are renowned worldwide and see thousands of visitors and locals alike come together to enjoy a month of eclectic shows, performances and displays across Scotland's capital.

Edinburgh International Festival’s 2024 Opening Event: Where to Begin

Edinburgh Festivals 2025 Dates

Performers at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Edinburgh events proudly serve up the most incredible smorgasbord of culture you could ever imagine, filling the city's performance venues, event spaces, and now the online world in late June, July and August.

Edinburgh Science Festival – 5-20 April 2025

Edinburgh International Children's Festival - 24 May-1 June 2025

Leith Festival - 14-22 June 2025

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival – 11-20 July 2025

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 1-23 August 2025

Edinburgh International Festival – 1 - 24 August 2025

Edinburgh Festival Fringe – 1 - 25 August 2025

Edinburgh Art Festival – 7-24 August 2025

Edinburgh International Book Festival – 9-24 August 2025

Edinburgh International Film Festival – 14-20 August 2025

Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival - 22 October-1 November 2025

Edinburgh's Hogmanay - 30 December 2025 - 1 January 2026

Artwork sculpture from Christian Newby at the Edinburgh Art Festival
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

What are the Edinburgh Festivals like?

Listen to top class live music when incredible musicians from all over the world roll into town for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.

There'll barely be time to catch your breath before Edinburgh Art Festival launches, an unmissable opportunity to see awesome and thought-provoking visual works created by talented Scottish and international artists.

There's plenty more to get excited about come August. The Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe mean that visitors and locals alike are well and truly spoilt for choice. Choose from the incredible array of music, theatre, comedy, opera, dance, circus, cabaret, musicals, spoken word, exhibitions, children's shows and physical theatre.

Let's not forget about the Edinburgh International Book Festival, where you can join author readings, Q&As and talks covering all types of literature.

Edinburgh Festivals Tips

The Hub during the Edinburgh International Festival
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

To help you make the most of visiting the festivals we've rounded up some handy tips:

Charge your phone (and bring a portable charger if you have one) so that you can check out the online programmes and digital flyers.

Wear comfy shoes - a day at the festivals can mean lots of walking.

Check the weather forecast – Edinburgh often experiences four seasons in one day! Make sure to pack a light rain jacket in case of a sudden downpour.

Bring water.

Start your day early so you can secure the best festival tickets and see the most popular visitor attractions before they get too busy.

Go for a mixture of performances to get a feel for everything that is going on.

Don’t be late for your show – some venues may not allow latecomers in, so be sure to arrive before the listed start time!

Download the Bounce app. Find locations nearby top Edinburgh attractions to drop off your luggage and enjoy exploring with complete peace of mind.

George Square
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Accessibility

Find out more about accessibility at Edinburgh's biggest summer festivals, with relaxed performances and accessible seating available.

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Edinburgh Festivals