Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

Set up in 1978, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival now presents high quality musicians from all over the world.

About Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

	, Various Locations Edinburgh
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	Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Festivals

Edinburgh Jazz Festival was set up in 1978 by banjo-player and guitarist, Mike Hart. Mike's initial focus was on traditional jazz and a host of events taking place for free admission in pubs. By the mid-80's the Festival had added ticketed events, and had broadened its musical policy to encompass swing and mainstream jazz and occasionally some more modern groups.

From the Festival's commencement the artistic policy has been to concentrate on musical excellence (rather than the "star system") and to champion spontaneous creativity: music making on the spot in Edinburgh. These virtues have been developed in the 21st Century with the production of a wide range of new music, the establishment of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra, and an on-going commitment to supporting Scottish musicians to realise creative ideas, and to link with international musicians. Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has also grown its world outlook, presenting high quality musicians from all over the world.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

Music

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

22nd July 2026

Usher Hall, Edinburgh West

Experience an unforgettable night of world-class music as Jools Holland and his renowned Rhythm & Blues Orchestra take over Usher Hall for the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival!

Festivals

Portobello Book Festival

, Various Locations Portobello

Portobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.

Festivals

Cymera Festival

The Pleasance 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh South EH8 9TJ

Cymera is Scotland's Festival of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and it returns to Edinburgh from 6th to 8th June.

Festivals

Luminate Festival: Edinburgh & Lothians

NA NA, NA NA

Luminate: Scotland's creative ageing festival celebrating creativity as we age.

Festivals

Push the Boat Out

Summerhall 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh South EH9 1PL

Push the Boat Out returns for 2023. Join us for three epic days, 24th – 26th November, throughout Edinburgh’s iconic Summerhall.

Festivals

First Stages Festival

Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED

The Traverse kicks off its 2022 programme with a wide range of interactive workshops and Q&As, in-person readings and creative prompts for first time writers to seasoned theatremakers.

Festivals

Festival of Politics

, Edinburgh Old Town EH99 1SP

The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics takes place in August, with a three-day programme of over 30 events, taking place in the home of Scottish politics at Holyrood.

Festivals

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.

Festivals

Festival of Migration

Southside Community Centre 117 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh South EH8 9ER

Edinburgh's Festival of Migration, celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of our city and our neighbours!

Festivals

NT Art Month

, Edinburgh New Town

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

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

Lammermuir Festival

, Various Locations East Lothian

Lammermuir Festival is East Lothian's celebration of Beautiful Music in Beautiful Places.

Festivals

Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival returns in 2024 with a full programme of events and activities across the city to celebrate Chinese New Year and the start of The Year of the Dragon.

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