Edinburgh International Festival: Arooj Aftab
The composer and singer blends ancient Eastern music with contemporary American influences to create a transcendent sound.
About Edinburgh International Festival: Arooj Aftab
The Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer, songwriter and vocalist Arooj Aftab brings her spellbinding voice to Edinburgh. Her mesmerising blend of ancient Sufi music and Urdu lyrics transports audiences far away, updating the mystical sounds of South Asian devotional music with jazz or minimal classical arrangements and a warm stage presence.
Last year, Aftab was nominated for two Grammy® Awards, including 'Best New Artist' for her album Vulture Prince. The track ‘Mohabbat’ from that album was named as one the best songs of 2021 by Time and The New York Times and Barack Obama proclaimed himself a huge fan of the song.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
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.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Leith Theatre or Edinburgh International Festival
Leith Comedy Festival Work-in-Progress Weekender at Leith Theatre
Leith Comedy Festival proudly presents a cracking line-up of work-in-progress comedy double bills in support of Leith Theatre from 10th to 13th July.
READ MORE
Irvine Welsh’s PORNO
The sequel to Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh's PORNO comes to Leith Theatre on 18th & 19th July!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Make it Happen
Set in Edinburgh, Make it Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 1st to 24th August 2025 with live performance throughout the city.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: The Dan Daw Show
This daring International Festival debut fuses sexy choreography and touching theatricality to take a stand against the disabling forces of society.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: NYO2: Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein and Carnegie Hall's NYO2 take on a thrilling pairing of Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: The Big Singalong
Gather friends and family to start your Festival season on a high note at Ross Bandstand on 3rd August for The Big Singlong, joined by Scottish national treasure Dougie MacLean!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: NYO2: Family Concert
Suitable for children and their grown-ups, we invite curious minds discover the magic of classical music in this joyful concert at the Usher Hall.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Best of Monteverdi Choir
Led by conductor Jonathan Sells, the Baroque choir present a dazzling showcase of their repertoire.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: María Dueñas & Alexander Malofeev
Maria Dueñas and Alexander Malofeev are one of the most inspired pairings in the recital world. This collaboration illuminates works by Karol Szymanowski, Claude Debussy and César Franck.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: The Ceilidh Sessions
Gather with friends and family at Princes Street Gardens for this lively celebration of music and dance, where Scottish tradition meets Baroque flair!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Holst’s The Planets
Let the London Philharmonic Orchestra takes you on the ultimate cosmic journey at the Usher Hall on 5th August!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Pavel Kolesnikov & Samson Tsoy
Join creative collaborators Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy for a deeply spiritual recital of piano works, ranging from Bach to Messiaen.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bruce Liu plays Ravel
Join Bruce Liu, Myung-Whun Chung and Beijing’s NCPA Orchestra for jazz-infused Ravel and Saint-Saëns’s spectacular Organ Symphony.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Mark Simpson & Richard Uttley
Mark Simpson brings dual talents as composer and clarinettist to an intimate programme featuring Johannes Brahms and his own works.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Hugh Cutting & George Ireland
Experience the expansive range of vocal music, from Baroque arias to specially commissioned contemporary works.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Works and Days
Birth, life and death converge at the heart of this visually spectacular performance, as theatre collective FC Bergman seeks the truth about our place in the wider world.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Leonard Elschenbroich & Alexei Grynyuk
Explore the musical love triangle between Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bach & Bartók
Budapest Festival Orchestra return to the Festival with a programme that celebrates their Hungarian heritage and showcases the vibrancy of music written for dance.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Fibonacci Quartet
One of Europe’s leading string quartets, Fibonacci Quartet, brings their trademark brilliance to a programme of Scottish and Czech music!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: La clemenza di Tito
Under the baton of Maxim Emelyanychev, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus continue their electrifying explorations of Mozart at the International Festival.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: NFM Leopoldinum: Bizet’s Carmen Suite
Experience the unforgettable music of Bizet’s opera Carmen alongside moving pieces by Bacewicz and Strauss.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Piotr Anderszewski
The Polish pianist Piotr Anderszewski is known for his intimate and subtle playing style. It is beautifully suited to this programme of small-but-perfectly-formed works.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Sitkovetsky Trio
Experience evocative works for piano trio, from Beethoven to a UK premiere by Iranian composer Mahdis Golzar Kashani from the Sitkovetsky Trio!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: LSO: Beethoven & Shostakovich
Nicola Benedetti and Sir Antonio Pappano co-present this concert, introducing two monumental symphonies by composers reckoning with mortality and the world around them.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bostridge, Pappano & Members of the LSO
Expressive singing reveals the emotional depth of Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Orpheus and Eurydice
Circa joins with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a chorus from Scottish Opera for the European premiere of this electrifying production of Gluck’s seminal opera at The Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bomsori Kim & Thomas Hoppe
Award-winning violinist Bomsori Kim is joined by eminent pianist Thomas Hoppe in this stunning recital celebrating Poland's rich musical heritage.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: LSO: A Sea Symphony
Celebrate 20th-century British treasures from Elizabeth Maconchy to Ralph Vaughan Williams performed by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Book of Mountains and Seas
Ancient Chinese myths inspire Huang Ruo's opera, confronting humanity's complex relationship with nature.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Cutting the Tightrope
This collection of short plays audaciously explores the power of the arts in today's world events, political resistance and displays of artistic freedom.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Florian Boesch & Malcolm Martineau
Celebrated for their Lieder performances, this duo showcases the lyrical beauty of Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Mary, Queen of Scots
Renaissance meets punk in Scottish Ballet’s retelling of the story of one of Scotland’s most famous women.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: LSO: Puccini’s Suor Angelica
Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in Giacomo Puccini’s heartfelt opera.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Ryan Wang
Ryan Wang, BBC Young Musician of the Year winner, takes on an all-Chopin programme that showcases extraordinary mastery of the piano.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Shostakovich Inside Out
Explore Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony as Aurora Orchestra unpacks its drama, depth and defiance.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Dementia Friendly Concert
New to the International Festival this year, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs familiar repertoire for people with dementia and their loved ones.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Belcea Quartet
Revitalising and transforming chamber music from the 18th and 19th centuries, Belcea Quartet's provocative recital spans Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Mozart.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Breaking Bach
Discover Johann Sebastian Bach from a fresh perspective in this world premiere where classical music meets hip hop and contemporary dance!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: As You Like It A Radical Retelling
Encounter Cliff Cardinal's radical reimagining of Shakespeare's classic in this unapologetic production at Church Hill Theatre!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Faustus in Africa!
Through puppetry and animation, Handspring Puppet Company reimagine Faust's downfall and reframe the classic tale to confront colonialism and the climate emergency.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Dunedin Consort & John Butt
This leading baroque ensemble revives Handel's sparkling comic cantata, unearthing the origins of his operatic masterpieces.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Bernstein & Stravinsky
Conductor Karina Canellakis returns to the Festival and leads the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) through a monumental programme featuring Messiaen, Stravinsky and Bernstein.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Emily D’Angelo & Sophia Muñoz
Join mezzo soprano Emily D'Angelo and pianist Sophia Muñoz for a programme of epic scope that explores humanity's connection to the natural world.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Pictures at an Exhibition
Take a whistlestop round-the-world trip with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and William Barton at the Usher Hall on Friday 22nd August!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Figures in Extinction
Dance and theatre legends Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney unite with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) to confront the climate crisis through spellbinding movement and sound.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Leonidas Kavakos & ApollΩn Ensemble
Johann Sebastian Bach’s violin concertos shine in this electrifying performance with soloist and ensemble in synergy.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Come and Sing Elijah
Join fellow singers in a full-day workshop, culminating in a performance of highlights from Mendelssohn's epic Elijah.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Closing Concert: Mendelssohn’s Elijah
In this Closing Concert, discover Felix Mendelssohn's triumphant oratorio anew as the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and Royal Scottish National Orchestra breathe life into his most famous work.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Burly Ceilidh Club
We’re famous for the Ceilidhs in our stunning Auditorium at the Ghillie Dhu, so come along a make it a night to remember!
READ MORE
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight
Enjoy Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons, and other magnificent works by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral, performed by The Piccadilly Sinfonietta!
READ MORE
Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
Join renowned British concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith for a performance of sensational classical and romantic works for solo piano at St Giles' Cathedral!
READ MORE
The Roze Garden
Looking for the best Thursday night out in Edinburgh? Discover The Roze Garden - Edinburgh’s Cabaret and Club Night at The Street!
READ MORE
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre
Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to their regular ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper!
READ MORE
Disco Days Edinburgh
Scotland's beloved over 30s afternoon clubbing event Disco Days is back at Club Tropicana Edinburgh in 2025!
READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret
Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Scottish Folk Music Cruise with Pure Malt
Step aboard Maid of the Forth for a magical evening on a Scottish Folk Cruise with live music from the fantastic Pure Malt!
READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club
One of Edinburgh's best nights out! Come join The Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band's monthly ceilidh at Old Dr Bells Baths!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links