The Gallivant guide to Edinburgh's festival season
EVERY August, Edinburgh becomes a city unlike any other. Streets fill with performers, venues spill onto every corner and more than a million visitors descend on Scotland's capital for a month of culture, creativity and celebration.
While the Edinburgh Festival Fringe may be the biggest name, it's just one part of an extraordinary programme that also includes international festivals dedicated to books, art, film, music and military spectacle.
Whether you're planning a weekend break or simply wondering what's worth booking, here's our Gallivant guide to Edinburgh's festival season.
Festival Fringe
August 7-31
The Fringe is a full city takeover. Venues across the city, both established and makeshift, host hundreds of artists and performers for three weeks.
Plus, there is usually a great selection of street-food vendors found in outdoor beer gardens set up at places like George Square and Pleasance. This year, there is even a sauna theatre where you can watch shows while also embracing the wellness trend.
Gallivant picks
- Mayflies – Grid Iron Theatre Company's adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's acclaimed Scottish novel.
- Ayoade Bamgboye – Last year's Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer returns with her debut full Fringe show.
- Cathy – A new play by rising Scottish playwright Eilidh Loan starring Elaine
C. Smith. - The Wolf of Poyais – Thom Tuck tells the astonishing true story of Scottish conman Gregor MacGregor, whose fake Central American nation became one of history's greatest frauds.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
August 15-30
Edinburgh Book Festival always has a packed programme of events, ranging from talks to workshops, children’s activities, cultural partnerships with Edinburgh sites and more.
Book lovers are spoiled for choice with talks, workshops, family events and conversations featuring some of the biggest names in literature.
Don't miss
- Scottish crime-writing legend Val McDermid
- Shuggie Bain author Douglas Stuart
- Bestselling American novelist John Grisham
- Scottish chef and broadcaster Julie Lin, who combines conversation with live cooking inspired by her cookbook Sama Sama.
DID YOU KNOW? Edinburgh was the world's first UNESCO City of Literature and remains Scotland's most popular destination for both UK and overseas visitors..
Edinburgh Art Festival
August 14-30
If galleries are more your thing, Edinburgh Art Festival offers exhibitions, installations and artist-led events across the city.
Expect contemporary art in unexpected places, from Calton Hill and Leith Shore to hidden spaces in the Old Town, alongside workshops, talks and late-night events.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August 7-29
Renowned for its gorgeous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, as well as striking performances, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been part of Edinburgh’s August celebrations since 1950.
This year's production, A Call to Gather, features pipes and drums, military bands, Highland dancers and performers from around the world, with actor Richard Rankin providing the narration.
Whether you've seen it before or not, it's an unforgettable Edinburgh experience.
Edinburgh International Festival (EIF)
August 7-30
The International Festival brings together world-class music, opera, theatre and dance, alongside exciting collaborations and emerging talent.
One performance we're especially looking forward to pairs Glasgow's Scottish Ensemble with Skye smallpipes player – a quieter and more mellow-sounding cousin to the traditional Highland bagpipes – Brìghde Chaimbeul.
The Skye native, won BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award 10 years ago and has since published three solo albums, has collaborated with indie-pop artist Caroline Polachek and played shows at both Celtic Connections and renowned Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona.
This newest collaboration, based on the Gaelic folklore of Spòg liath which tells of a scary creature appearing in a churchyard at night, was created with Scottish Ensemble during a visit to Skye this spring and will be performed at The Queen’s Hall on August 23.
Edinburgh International Film Festival
August 13-19
Edinburgh International Film Festival celebrates independent cinema with premieres, filmmaker Q&As and special screenings throughout the week.
Highlights include the opening night premiere of The Incomer, directed by Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton and starring Scottish actress Gayle Rankin.
Film fans should also book quickly for the 30th anniversary celebration of Trainspotting at Leith Theatre, featuring a screening with live commentary from cast and crew, followed by a club night hosted by Irvine Welsh and DJ Darren Emerson.
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Read On...Escape the hustle and bustle to explore Edinburgh's green spaces
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