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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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.
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.
Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
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
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
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
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
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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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
Just Festival
St John's Church Princes Street,
Edinburgh New Town EH2 4BJ
Edinburgh’s Just Festival Celebrates 21st Year With Bumper Programme. Free to attend programme online and at St. John’s Church, Princes Street from 6th – 30th August.
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Edinburgh Horror Festival
,
Various Locations Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Horror Festival is one of the most popular Hallowe'en events in Edinburgh. Incorporating theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games, improv, workshops and more!
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Edinburgh Tradfest
,
Various Locations Edinburgh
The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 1st to 11th May 2026.
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Red, Red Rose Street
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Red Red Rose Street returns for 2018 with a festival of Burns’ music and words running from 25th - 27th January.
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Edinburgh Gaelic Festival
,
Edinburgh
A festival celebrating Edinburgh Gaelic community past and present. A' dèanamh fèill air coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.
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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 International Harp Festival
George Watson's College 69 Colinton Road,
Edinburgh South EH10 5EG
The Edinburgh International Harp Festival returns for its 42nd year in April, showcasing an eclectic array of harp talent from across the globe.
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Curious: A free festival of knowledge
The Royal Society Of Edinburgh 22 - 26 George Street,
Edinburgh New Town EH2 2PQ
Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s annual festival of knowledge – a free, open-to-all celebration of ideas, discovery, and conversation.
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Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh Art Festival ,
Various Locations Edinburgh
Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival works with local and international partners to present an ambitious and meaningful programme of exhibitions, events and projects across the city.
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Edinburgh International Improv Festival
Monkey Barrel Comedy Blair Street,
Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1QR
The Edinburgh International Improv Festival brings the best of American-style long-form improv comedy to Scotland's beautiful capital city.
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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.
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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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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
READ MORE
Just Festival
Edinburgh’s Just Festival Celebrates 21st Year With Bumper Programme. Free to attend programme online and at St. John’s Church, Princes Street from 6th – 30th August.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Horror Festival
The Edinburgh Horror Festival is one of the most popular Hallowe'en events in Edinburgh. Incorporating theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games, improv, workshops and more!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest
The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 1st to 11th May 2026.
READ MORE
Red, Red Rose Street
Red Red Rose Street returns for 2018 with a festival of Burns’ music and words running from 25th - 27th January.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Gaelic Festival
A festival celebrating Edinburgh Gaelic community past and present. A' dèanamh fèill air coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.
READ MORE
The Saltire Festival
The Saltire Festival returns for 2022 celebrating St. Andrew's Day in the Home of the Flag!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Harp Festival
The Edinburgh International Harp Festival returns for its 42nd year in April, showcasing an eclectic array of harp talent from across the globe.
READ MORE
Curious: A free festival of knowledge
Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s annual festival of knowledge – a free, open-to-all celebration of ideas, discovery, and conversation.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Art Festival
Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival works with local and international partners to present an ambitious and meaningful programme of exhibitions, events and projects across the city.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Improv Festival
The Edinburgh International Improv Festival brings the best of American-style long-form improv comedy to Scotland's beautiful capital city.
READ MORE
Festival of Politics
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.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Deaf Featival
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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