Edinburgh International Festival

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

About Edinburgh International Festival

	, Various Locations Edinburgh
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	Edinburgh International Festival Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Festivals

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.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Edinburgh International Festival are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival

Theatre

Verdi’s A Masked Ball

26th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Festival Theatre Edinburgh, Edinburgh South

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

Dance

Edinburgh International Festival: Mere Mortals

28th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh New Town

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

Music

Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Elgar & Tchaikovsky

29th August 2026

Usher Hall, Edinburgh West

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

Music

Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Closing Concert

30th August 2026

Usher Hall, Edinburgh West

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

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, Various Locations Edinburgh

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

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

The Saltire Festival

, Various Locations East Lothian

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

Festivals

Baroque Music Festival

Institut français d'Ecosse West Parliament Square, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1RF

In April 2026, join us for a musical journey through Europe with the second edition of the Baroque Music Festival!

Festivals

Rare Books Edinburgh

Rare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.

Festivals

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Edinburgh Futures Institute 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh South EH3 9EF

The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1983 and is now a key event in the August Festival season.

Festivals

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'.

Festivals

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.

Festivals

Audacious Women Festival

Audacious Women Festival , Various Locations Edinburgh

Audacious Women Festival encourages and empowers women to break personal, political, institutional barriers, and celebrates inspirational women.

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