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Edinburgh International Festival

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

Edinburgh International Festival

About Edinburgh International Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh
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Edinburgh International Festival Website
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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.

Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival

Edinburgh International Festival

7th August 2026 - 30th August 2026
Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 7th to 30th August 2026 with live performance throughout the city.

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Verdi’s A Masked Ball

26th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

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

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Edinburgh International Festival: Mere Mortals

28th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

San Francisco Ballet presents a provocative myth for the AI age, in their futuristic retelling of Pandora’s Box at Edinburgh Playhouse.

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Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Elgar & Tchaikovsky

29th August 2026

The Berliner Philharmoniker and Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko open the Usher Hall series with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony and Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.

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Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Closing Concert

30th August 2026

Experience ‘the world’s greatest orchestra’ (LA Times) performing with award-winning soloist Augustin Hadelich in the closing concert of their residency.

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Related Links

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, Various Locations Edinburgh

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

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More Festivals in Edinburgh

Manipulate Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The 19th edition of Manipulate Festival will take place between 4th and 10th February 2026.

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Edinburgh Festival of Cycling

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling is back with a nine-day festival, across Edinburgh (and maybe beyond) between Friday 31st May and Sunday 9th June.

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Edinburgh International Magic Festival

,

Edinburgh International Magic Festival is back this Christmas with a mind-blowing programme of shows, events and workshops!

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Edinburgh Gaelic Festival

, Edinburgh

A festival celebrating Edinburgh Gaelic community past and present. A' dèanamh fèill air coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.

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Edinburgh Tradfest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 1st to 11th May 2026.

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Leith Comedy Festival

, Leith

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

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Edinburgh Art Festival

Edinburgh Art Festival , Various Locations Edinburgh

Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival works with local and international partners to present an ambitious and meaningful programme of exhibitions, events and projects across the city.

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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.

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Edinburgh Deaf Featival

49 Albany Street, Edinburgh New town EH1 3QY

Edinburgh Deaf Festival is an accessible celebration of deaf culture, language and heritage. Join us for a variety of performances and events throughout the week.

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Scottish International Storytelling Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns from 22nd October to 1st November 2025 with the theme 'Lights of the North'.

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NT Art Month

, Edinburgh New Town

NT Art Month is a month-long celebration of the incredible arts quarter in Edinburgh's New Town.

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Edinburgh International Harp Festival

George Watson's College 69 Colinton Road, Edinburgh South EH10 5EG

The Edinburgh International Harp Festival returns for its 42nd year in April, showcasing an eclectic array of harp talent from across the globe.

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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Wonder & Co
The Cookbook Shop
The Chocolatarium
Cancer Research UK
Escape The Past
Cancer Research UK
King Pins
The Cogency
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show
Watch the iconic McEwans Hall in Edinburgh come alive with Enlightenment, a spectacular sound and light show, set to the enchanting melodies of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons!
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition
Film, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, paintings and prints by contemporary and emerging artists from across Scotland and overseas feature in this extensive and thought provoking exhibition.
The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans
With a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation, this feel-good live music performance takes you on a journey to the roots of revolutionary New Orleans jazz!
Blockbustarz 70’s Glam Rock Tribute
Blockbustarz bring their 70's Glam Rock Tribute to Dreadnought Rock for a superb night of live music which will take you back to a golden era of music that will never be forgotten!
Cockney Rejects
English punk rock band Cockney Rejects return to La Belle Angele on Saturday 28th November for another headline show!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall