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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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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

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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The Saltire Festival

, Various Locations East Lothian

The Saltire Festival returns for 2022 celebrating St. Andrew's Day in the Home of the Flag!

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Edinburgh Iranian Festival

NA NA, NA NA

The Edinburgh Iranian Festival is a non-political showcase for world-class Iranian culture.

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Edinburghs Hogmanay

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is back to celebrate the end of 2025 and the new year with an unforgettable experience for Edinburgh and beyond.

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Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

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

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Edinburgh International Film Festival

88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh West EH3 9BZ

The Edinburgh International Film Festival will return from 13th to 19th August 2026 at the very heart of Edinburgh's festival season.

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Edinburgh Science Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe's biggest science festivals, taking place annually over the Easter holidays!

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Portobello Book Festival

, Various Locations Portobello

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

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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 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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Syn Festival Edinburgh

, Various Locations in Edinburgh

Join us for a multi-art festival of visual and performing arts, including photography, art installations, painting, theatre, short films, live music and dance!

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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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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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Sponsored Links

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

Popular Events

Charlie Puth
Internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum and award-winning artist, producer, musician and songwriter Charlie Puth has announced the Whatever's Clever! 2026 World Tour, coming to Edinburgh in July!
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!
Orchard Wassailing
Come along to Lauriston Farm Community Orchard for songs led by Penny Stone, and merry noise-making with bells and drums, to celebrate their beloved orchard trees and wish them a good year ahead!
Community Connections
Each month in the beautiful and historic Abbey Strand Centre, Community Connections will explore themes from across the Royal Collection and the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club
Fancy a night of epic games and good laughs? Join Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club for an evening packed with board games, from classics to new favourites!

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