Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is an unparalleled celebration of music, theatre, opera and dance performed across our beautiful city.

About Edinburgh International Festival

	, Various Locations Edinburgh
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Listed Under Attractions - Festivals

The Edinburgh International Festival was the inspired idea of Rudolf Bing, then the General Manager of Glyndebourne Opera, Henry Harvey Wood, the Head of the British Council in Scotland, and leaders from the City of Edinburgh. It was established in 1947 as a world class cultural event to bring together audiences and artists from around the world, and over 70 years has gone from strength to strength.

For three weeks in August, Scotland’s capital becomes an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for people of all nations. The International Festival presents a programme featuring the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre.

Our impact extends beyond the annual programme: our community learning and engagement and professional development programmes run throughout the year, reaching the widest possible audiences and contributing to the cultural and social life of Edinburgh and Scotland.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Edinburgh International Festival are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival

Theatre

Verdi’s A Masked Ball

26th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Festival Theatre Edinburgh, Edinburgh South

Zurich Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera, A Masked Ball, filled with desire, treachery and political peril.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.

Festivals

ScotlandsFest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

2024 marks the 7th year of ScotlandsFest, more than 40 captivating events celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland.

Festivals

FuturePlay Festival

54 George Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 2LR

Formerly the Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival, FuturePlay is on from the 3rd to 26th August.

Festivals

Edinburgh Krampus Festival

29 - 35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

While Santa and his elves frolic under snowflakes, something sinister is lurking in the icy caverns of Niddry Street.

Festivals

Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

30B Grindlay Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH3 9AX

Edinburgh International Children's Festival of performing arts for children and young people.

Festivals

Leith Comedy Festival

, Leith

The first full Leith Comedy Festival will take place in popular live venues and community hubs across Leith this October.

Festivals

Audacious Women Festival

Audacious Women Festival , Various Locations Edinburgh

Audacious Women Festival encourages and empowers women to break personal, political, institutional barriers, and celebrates inspirational women.

Festivals

Burns&Beyond

Burns&Beyond returns in January 2024, celebrating the life and legacy of Robert Burns through traditional and contemporary art and culture from across Scotland and Beyond!

Festivals

Edinburgh Tradfest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.

Festivals

Rare Books Edinburgh

Rare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.

Festivals

Falastin Film Festival

Scottish Storytelling Centre 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to the Edinburgh and Highland audiences.

Festivals