Scottish Music Festivals

We're a musical bunch here in Scotland and no other country puts on a music festival quite like we do.

From chart-topping superstars to up-and-coming talents, and from the grounds of historic castles to magical islands, there's Scottish music festivals for everyone.

Enjoy a summer music festival in Scotland. Between April and September, you’ll find an array of colour and music that takes place in some fantastic locations across Scotland.

Check out some of Scotland’s most hotly-anticipated events and music festivals.

  1. Mull Music Festival Isle of Mull

    A statue at Calgary Arts, Isle of Mull

    © VisitScotland / Wild about Argyll / Kieran J Duncan

    20 – 23 April 2023

    Get ready for a weekend of soulful Scottish music, with folk-rock groups, Scottish dance bands, traditional musicians and singers, all taking place on the stunning Isle of Mull on the west coast. All the events are usually free, and details on the line-up, programme and more will be released soon.

  2. Shetland Folk Festival Shetland

    Mareel, the UK s most northerly music, cinema and creative industries centre

    2 - 5 May 2024

    After celebrating 40 years of performances, the Shetland Folk Festival will welcome a talented range of some of the best international, British and Shetland musicians. Get ready to have your toes tapping!

    Visit Shetland

  3. Orkney Folk Festival Stromness, Orkney

    25 – 28 May 2023

    Watch Stromness come alive with fantastic artists and musicians during Orkney Folk Festival. Stay tuned for more details.

    Explore Orkney

  4. Islay Festival - Feis Ile Port Ellen, Isle of Islay

    Port Charlotte

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    26 May – 4 June 2023

    The renowned Islay Festival is back for 2023 and is bringing with it a wealth of music, song, dancing, chatting, meeting new people and savouring a dram or two of Islay whisky along the way, all across 9 eventful days.

  5. The Eden Festival Raehills Meadows, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway

    The Eden Festival

    8 – 11 June 2023

    Last year saw over 250 acts performing across 10 different stages, with a variety of live music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, circus skills, theatre, a children’s area, fun, games and much more!

    Visit Dumfries & Galloway

  6. Solas Festival Errol Park, Perthshire

    Solas Festival, Perthshire

    © @solas.festival

    16 – 18 June 2023

    Running for over a decade, the Solas Festival celebrates Scotland’s midsummer with a weekend of arts and music from a range of performers who in previous years, have been from far afield as Canada, Ghana and Nashville. Keep an eye open for more details about the 2023 festival.

  7. East Neuk Festival East Neuk, Fife

    East Neuk Festival

    © Neil Hanna & @eastneukfestival

    29 June – 2 July 2023

    Over in the Kingdom of Fife, delve into the world of live music at the East Neuk Festival. Founded almost 20 years ago, the festival takes place in Crail, Anstruther, Kilrenny, St Monans and St Andrews in a range of quirky and atmospheric venues, from churches, halls, and an ex-nuclear bunker, to caves, an RAF base, a Scout hall, stately homes and gardens. It’s set to be something special!

  8. Kelburn Garden Party Kelburn Castle and Estate, near Largs, Ayrshire

    Kelburn Castle Estate

    © Barry Dawson / Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Group

    30 June – 3 July 2023

    With this year’s festival set across 7 unique stages, get ready to encounter dance music, folk, plenty of funk and disco, jungle, alt-pop experimental excursions, jazz and blues, intriguing global sounds and more. With the wacky backdrop of graffiti-covered Kelburn Castle, get set for some mind-expanding music.

    Explore Ayrshire

  9. Tiree Music Festival Isle of Tiree

    Lobster Creels On The Isle Of Tiree, Inner Hebrides.

    © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

    7 – 9 July 2023

    Take a trip out to the islands for Tiree Music Festival. Not just popular amongst surfers, Tiree hosts this eclectic festival each year which sees incredible artists perform. Previous years have featured Skipinnish, Talisk, Elephant Sessions, Rhuvaal and many more.

    Founded by Skerryvore’s Daniel Gillespie and Tiree local Stewart MacLennan, the festival encompasses all the culture of this little Hebridean island, also known as the ‘Hawaii of the North’. Come along to see what all the fuss is about!

  10. HebCelt Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

    Dun Carloway Broch, Outer Hebrides

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    12 – 15 July 2023

    This multi-award winning music festival takes place on the stunning Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and is a celebration of Gaelic culture and language. Promoting the island’s heritage, history and traditional music, the festival takes place at a purpose-built venue featuring three stages on the Lews Castle Green which offers free standing concerts for up to 5000 people.

  11. Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Edinburgh

    Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

    14 – 23 July 2023

    The Edinburgh Summer Festivals are renowned worldwide and feature an eclectic mix of art, music, performance, song, dance and more that takes over the city each year. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival was founded in 1978 and is one of seven events that make up the Edinburgh Festivals. Now one of the largest and most respected jazz and blues festivals in Europe, the event showcases 130 concerts, taking place in theatres, parks and clubs all over the city.

  12. Rewind Festival Scone Palace, Perth

    Perth and the River Tay

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    21 – 23 July 2023

    Rewind to the 80s with this jumping festival of popular songs and well-known tunes. Treat yourself to some luxury and unusual accommodation too, with boutique camping, campervans and caravans, and even a luxury loo pass.

    The line-up includes Andy Bell, Squeeze, Martin Kemp, Nick Heyward, Tony Hadley, Midge Ure and many more. 

  13. Let's Rock Scotland Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian

    The Restoration Yard at Dalkeith Country Park

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    24 July 2023

    Let’s Rock Scotland is back for 2023 with a vibrant line-up of singers, musicians and bands for all you rock enthusiasts out there! 2023’s line-up so far includes Slim Jim Phantom, Betty Boo, Roland Gift and Junior Giscombe, to name a few. Stay tuned for more performers being announced soon.

  14. ButeFest Isle of Bute

    Rothesay, the chief town of Bute on the east coast of the island.

    © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

    28 – 30 July 2023

    Bute Fest brings a weekend of non-stop live music, perfect for a day out with family and friends. Taking places at the stunning Ettrick Bay on the Isle of Bute, it is set to be packed full of Scottish spirit, cracking bands, delicious food & drink and exciting entertainment suitable for everyone.

  15. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Belladrum Estate, Inverness

    Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

    27 – 29 July 2023

    In the heart of the Highlands, get your toes tapping to a range of Scottish and international artists, musicians and performers during this 3-day summer festival. Acts for 2023 have been announced, with the line-up including Travis, Bastille, Sigrid, Sam Ryder, KT Tunstall, The Zutons, Scouting for Girls and Elephant Sessions, to name a few, this one is set to be unmissable!

  16. Mull of Kintyre Music Festival Various venues, Campbeltown

    Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival

    9 – 13 August 2023

    This favourite in the music festival world returns to Campbeltown with its exciting programme of performances, heritage trail walks, pipe bands, folk nights, concerts, ceilidhs and more. Join in with toe-tapping tunes, fascinating stories, memorable songs and incredible chorus singing at the Gaelic Concert, or explore the Heritage Trail Walks, and Young Folk Night.

    Explore ArgylL & The Isles

  17. Piping Live! Glasgow

    Queen's Park, Glasgow

    12 - 20 August 2023

    Explore the best of Scotland pipe bands and solo pipers at one of Glasgow’s most popular events. Piping Live! is a real show stopper to look forward to each year and is a great choice if you’re looking to tap into Scotland’s cultural side. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon.

  18. Celtic Connections Glasgow

    Celtic Connections

    © Glasgow Life / Gaelle Beri

    18 January - 4 February 2024

    This popular Glasgow music festival needs no introduction, Celtic Connections brings Scottish culture and trad music to the heart of Glasgow for over 2 weeks. 2023’s line-up saw an array of unmatched talent grace the stage with artists including The Twilight Sad, Dàimh, Anna Meredith, Karan Casey, CARA, and many more.

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