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
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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
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
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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
Leith Comedy Festival
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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 Tradfest
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The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.
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Festival of Migration
Southside Community Centre 117 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh South EH8 9ER
Edinburgh's Festival of Migration, celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of our city and our neighbours!
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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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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 Jazz & Blues Festival
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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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Portobello Book Festival
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Portobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.
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Rare Books Edinburgh
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Rare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.
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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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Scottish International Storytelling Festival
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Various Locations Edinburgh
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns from 22nd October to 1st November 2025 with the theme 'Lights of the North'.
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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Various Locations Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
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NT Art Month
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Edinburgh New Town
NT Art Month is a month-long celebration of the incredible arts quarter in Edinburgh's New Town.
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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
READ MORE
Leith Comedy Festival
The first full Leith Comedy Festival will take place in popular live venues and community hubs across Leith this October.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest
The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.
READ MORE
Festival of Migration
Edinburgh's Festival of Migration, celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of our city and our neighbours!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh International Film Festival will return from 13th to 19th August 2026 at the very heart of Edinburgh's festival season.
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 Jazz & Blues Festival
Set up in 1978, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival now presents high quality musicians from all over the world.
READ MORE
Portobello Book Festival
Portobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.
READ MORE
Rare Books Edinburgh
Rare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.
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
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns from 22nd October to 1st November 2025 with the theme 'Lights of the North'.
READ MOREEdinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
READ MORE
NT Art Month
NT Art Month is a month-long celebration of the incredible arts quarter in Edinburgh's New Town.
READ MORESponsored Links
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