Key Events in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is famous for some of the best events in the world including it's Christmas Market, Hogmanay, Edinburgh Tattoo and the event no-one wants to miss is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Dates: November to January
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Running from November to January, Edinburgh's Christmas offers no shortage of things to see and do this winter. Enjoy panoramic views of the capital from the top of the Big Wheel, spin around on the charming carousel in East Princes Street Gardens or brave a twirl on the 60-metre-high Star Flyer.
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Younger kids will love Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens, a festive fairground with six fun rides and a children's market full of gifts and toys. Try to find the Elves' Workshop hidden in the Christmas Tree Maze, or visit Santa's Grotto to meet the man himself!
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St Andrew Square will be hosting an oval ice rink, looping around the Melville Monument - hire a pair of skates and spin across the ice behind a gorgeous backdrop of the glittering city.
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The festive markets in the city centre are a popular highlight of Edinburgh's Christmas. Enjoy delicious food and drink and traditional crafts at the Scottish Market on George Street, pick up unique gifts and goods at the European Market in the Mound Precinct, or choose presents for the wee ones in the Children's Market, part of Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens.
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Check out the website for exact plans, activities and dates.
Dates: End of December
Hogmanay (New Year)
When it comes to Hogmanay, Edinburgh certainly knows how to put on a show whether it's the enchanting torchlight procession, the famous Hogmanay street party and spectacular firework display or a toe-tapping ceilidh and concert in Princes Street Gardens.
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Leading up to New Year, there are a series of events and activities not forgetting the Edinburgh Christmas Market which runs until January.
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Please note: Tickets for the Hogmanay Street party sell out early so make sure you don't hang about when they are released.
Dates: August
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Tattoo is an iconic Edinburgh institution and a sellout year after year after year. Music, dance, and precision display with the Massed Pipe Band Drumming, the Massed Military Bands, cultural troupes, singers, and the poignant refrain of the Lone Piper against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates musicians and performers from all around the world and opens Scotland’s arms to welcome spectators from near and far to join in the fun.
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With changing yearly themes, each Tattoo is different from the previous one. Past themes have included concepts such as Scotland’s homecoming, creativity and nature.
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Please note: Tickets sell out quickly so make sure you plan this well ahead of your visit. For further information and exact dates please visit the website.
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Dates: August
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest festival showcasing an extraordinary collection of cultural and artistic performances every year in August. Experience Scotland’s capital come alive with vibrant colours, shows and events to suit everyone. See performances from the most famous people in the industry and discover new artists breaking through in their careers.
Dates: End of June into July
Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival showcases the very best in international cinema. Since it was established in 1947, the Film Festival has been renowned around the world for discovering and implementing changes in global filmmaking.
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The Edinburgh International Film Festival brings together a community of people who are passionate about film and cinema. There is something for every film-lover’s taste, from famous Hollywood actors to up-and-coming film-makers - the Film Festival has it all.
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Please visit the website for exact dates.
Dates: End of June into July
Edinburgh Science Festival
Be wowed by the Edinburgh Science Festival - one of Europe's largest Science Festivals. This festival delivers a unique mix of innovative and inspiring discussions, performances, exhibitions and events. It's an experience you'll never forget.
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Please visit the website for exact dates.
Dates: July
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival promises something for everyone, whether it's an electric gig in a Spiegeltent, and intimate Jazz Trio, or a huge open-air parade, don't miss the awesome festivities every July in Edinburgh!
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The Edinburgh Carnival is an event not to miss, as performers from across Scotland and the world wow the crowds. Starting on The Mound, the parade makes its way down Princes Street, before the party turn to the gardens.
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Please visit the website for exact dates.
Dates: End of July into August
Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh Art Festival is the platform for the visual arts at the heart of Edinburgh’s August festivals, bringing together the capital’s leading galleries, museums and artist-run spaces in a city-wide celebration of the very best in visual art. Each year, the festival features leading international and UK artists alongside the best emerging talent, major survey exhibitions of historic figures, and a special programme of newly commissioned artworks that respond to public and historic sites in the city. The vast majority of the festival is free to attend.
Dates: August
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival takes place over three weeks and presents breathtaking performances from some of the best creators that the world of arts has to offer. Edinburgh's six major theatres and concert halls, a few smaller venues and often some unconventional ones too, come alive with the best music, theatre, opera and dance from around the globe. The International Festival presents events which cannot easily be achieved by any other UK arts organisation through innovative programming and a commitment to new work.
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Please visit the website for exact dates.
Dates: August
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival features hundreds of events from the best creative and inspiring writers from all over the world. With emerging writers to Nobel Prize-winners, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is full of great ideas and captivating discussions. There is also a highly regarded programme of events for children and young adults featuring the finest writers and illustrators of children's books and young adult novels.
Dates: October
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
From storytelling performances to panel discussions, and an engaging family strand of storytelling activities around Halloween, there’s something here for all Festival-goers to get involved with.
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With the art of storytelling no one performance is the same, with each storyteller using improvisation to help bridge the connection between teller and listener.
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The festival launched in 1989 and continues to grow and evolve, engaging more people in the magic of storytelling.
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Please visit the website for exact dates.
Dates: Please check website
Edinburgh Diwali
Edinburgh Diwali (registered charity SC047483) is an initiative by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh to bring Diwali-Festival of Lights, the most famous Indian Festival to Edinburgh so that the mainstream community can Share, Participate and Celebrate the Victory of Good over Evil.
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Edinburgh Diwali has successfully organized Diwali for last five years and is now ambitiously attempting to enhance its Visibility across United Kingdom by making it Second Most Popular Festival after Christmas in Scotland as First Winter Festival of Edinburgh.