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Edinburgh Tradfest

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

Edinburgh Tradfest

About Edinburgh Tradfest

, Various Locations Edinburgh
Edinburgh Tradfest Website
Follow edintradfest on Twitter
Facebook information can be found here

The past, present and future of traditional music

Edinburgh Tradfest has a rich story. With its longer tap roots in the Edinburgh Folk Festival, it was launched by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) in 2013 to provide a distinctive platform for folk arts in the capital city.

Edinburgh is a hot house of talent, home grown and visiting, and Tradfest is an opportunity to see it all in play.

Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Tradfest

Ross Ainslie & the Sanctuary Band

2nd May 2025

Ross Ainslie gets together with collaborators The Sanctuary Band to perform tracks from the brand-new album, Pool at The Queens Hall Edinburgh on Friday 2nd May!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay

3rd May 2025

Don't miss the unmissable annual #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay featuring a concert with an outstanding line-up at the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 3rd May!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Divergence

3rd May 2025

Divergence is so named because the band seeks to employ non-traditional instruments in traditionally-inspired music and you can hear them at the Traverse Theatre on 3rd May.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Leveret

3rd May 2025

Leveret, a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians, return to The Traverse at part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Hartwin Trio

4th May 2025

Discover a dazzling play of sounds during this concert by the Hartwin Trio as part of Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Lauren MacColl: Half A Lifetime

4th May 2025

For this very special Edinburgh Tradfest gig Lauren MacColl plays tunes from her most recent album Haar, along with a delve into the back catalogue.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Martyn Bennett: The Music Lives On

4th May 2025

Join us for this special hour of chat (and the odd tune) in the company of two people who have, in their own ways, made sure that Martyn Bennett’s music lives on.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Teho.

5th May 2025

Teho., a Finnish power-fiddle duo that explodes musical boundaries while having roots deeply in the tradition, play the Traverse Theatre on 5th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: For The Love of Trees

5th May 2025

This year’s special commission at Edinburgh Tradfest is by the legendary harpist, singer and composer Mary Macmaster!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: The Hot Seats

6th May 2025

The Hot Seats are returning to Scotland for the first time since the pandemic and they play Edinburgh Tradfest for the first time!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Morag Brown & Lewis Powell-Reid

6th May 2025

Morag Brown and Lewis Powell-Reid play a rich repertoire of instrumental music from Scottish traditions along with many others.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: The Travelling Janes

7th May 2025

Led by celebrated Scottish-American jazz vocalist Ali Affleck, The Traveling Janes is an all-women international ensemble. Catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 7th May!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Beth Malcolm

7th May 2025

Glasgow-based folk sensation Beth Malcolm plays the Traverse Theatre on Wednesday 7th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Seckou Keita

8th May 2025

Enjoy uplifting and contemplative music from Seckou Keita, a renowned Kora virtuoso who stands as a luminary amongst African traditional musicians!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Ellie Beaton

8th May 2025

Enjoy an hour in the company of Ellie Beaton, this year’s BBC Scotland Young Trad Winner, at the Traverse Theatre on 8th May!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell

9th May 2025

Though they grew up half a world apart, Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell connect through the quiet brilliance of their songcraft and the warm clarity of their delivery.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Kathleen Macinnes

9th May 2025

Enjoy a super special gig from Kathleen Macinnes, one of Scotland’s national treasures, as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Finlay MacDonald Band

10th May 2025

The Finlay Macdonald Band has been coming very much to the fore over the past couple of years and you can catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 10th May as part of Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Claire Hastings (Relaxed Performance)

10th May 2025

In a new departure for ETF25 we present a very special one hour gig designed to appeal to all ages, from new babies upwards.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach

10th May 2025

Their sound of Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach is best described as cinematic alt-folk, fusing elements of folk, classical, jazz, indie, electronic and alternative music. It’s unbelievably beautiful.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Rebellious Truth 25: Joy Dunlop + Fraser Fifield

11th May 2025

The talk by Joy Dunlop will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Pelkkä Poutanen

11th May 2025

Don't miss Pelkkä Poutanen, a hypnotic and unique artist known for her distinctive voice and masterful throat-singing techniques, at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!

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Edinburgh Tradfest: ETF Spotlight

11th May 2025

Each year we present a show that will throw a light on some of the most exciting new performers in folk and traditional music today.

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Edinburgh Tradfest: Siobhan Miller Band

12th May 2025

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the Siobhan Miller band in full flight at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!

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More Festivals in Edinburgh

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns in October 2024.

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Edinburgh Womens Fiction Festival

, Various Location in Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival is a literary festival celebrating writing for, by, and about women.

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Manipulate Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The 18th edition of Manipulate Festival will take place between 12th and 15th February 2025.

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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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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.

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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!

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Soundhouse Winter Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Soundhouse Winter Festival is a new 5-day music festival taking place this winter in Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh International Film Festival

88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh West EH3 9BZ

The Edinburgh International Film Festival will return from 14th to 20th August 2025 at the very heart of Edinburgh's festival season.

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Lammermuir Festival

, Haddington

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

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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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Porty Festival

, Portobello

Porty Festival is a brand new family friendly festival coming to Portobello on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May - highlighting all things Portobello.

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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 31st May to 2nd June.

READ MORE
All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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Sponsored Links

RSPB
Support The Makers
One Ren
xfire
Wedding Unconvention
Goldups Lane
Escape The Past
Cancer Research UK
Kevin Quantum
Renfrewshire Council
Fayre Play
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

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