| , Various Locations Edinburgh | |
| 01314732000 | |
| 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.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
READ MOREPortobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.
READ MORERare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.
READ MORENT Art Month is a month-long celebration of the incredible arts quarter in Edinburgh's New Town.
READ MOREEdinburgh’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.
READ MORECymera is Scotland's Festival of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and it returns to Edinburgh from 6th to 8th June.
READ MOREFormerly the Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival, FuturePlay is on from the 3rd to 26th August.
READ MOREWelcome to BedFest 2025. Strap in and snuggle up, it’s the Bedlam Festival: Cosy Style.
READ MOREThe very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Festival of Cycling is back with a nine-day festival, across Edinburgh (and maybe beyond) between Friday 31st May and Sunday 9th June.
READ MORECurious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s annual festival of knowledge – a free, open-to-all celebration of ideas, discovery, and conversation.
READ MORELuminate: Scotland's creative ageing festival celebrating creativity as we age.
READ MOREBurns&Beyond returns in January 2024, celebrating the life and legacy of Robert Burns through traditional and contemporary art and culture from across Scotland and Beyond!
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