Edinburgh Festivals & The Fringe

Back for another spectacle in 2023, the Edinburgh Festivals are set to bring a wave of colour and soaring excitement to the city.

The Edinburgh International Festival is renowned world-wide and sees thousands of tourists and locals alike come together to enjoy a month of art shows and performances across Scotland's capital.

Performer on The Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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Edinburgh Festivals 2023 Dates

Performers at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Seven spectacular 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 International Science Festival - 1 - 16 April 2023
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival - 14 - 23 July 2023
Edinburgh Art Festival - 27 July - 27 August 2023
Edinburgh International Festival - 4 - 27 August 2023
Edinburgh Festival Fringe - 4 - 28 August 2023
Edinburgh International Book Festival - 12 - 28 August 2023
Edinburgh International Film Festival - 18 - 23 August 2023
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will return from 4 - 26 August 2023

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 & 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.

And 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.
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.
Head to the Edinburgh VisitScotland iCentre on the Royal Mile and pick up a map to get your bearings.
Go for a mixture of performances to get a feel for everything that is going on.