Edinburgh Art Festival

We are delighted to announce that we will return from 29 July to 29 August this year, following an exceptionally challenging period for the creative sector.

About Edinburgh Art Festival

Our 17th edition will bring together over 35 exhibitions and new commissions in visual art spaces across the city, complemented by an online programme of events and digital presentations.


Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival is the platform for the visual arts at the heart of Edinburgh’s August festivals, bringing together the capital’s leading galleries, museums and artist-run spaces in a city-wide celebration of the very best in visual art. Each year, the Festival features leading international and UK artists alongside the best emerging talent, major survey exhibitions of historic figures, and a special programme of newly commissioned artworks that respond to public and historic sites in the city. The vast majority of the festival is free to attend.

Alongside our main festival programme we run an annual series of learning and engagement activities around our Commissions Programme and partner exhibitions as well as bespoke tours, workshops and projects for community groups and organisations inspired by the work of our participating artists.

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. We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Edinburgh Art Festival are accurate, please contact us at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk if any of the above information is incorrect.

Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Art Festival

Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop!

26th April 2021 - 30th August 2021

Dovecot Studios Ltd, Edinburgh Old Town

Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! tells the story of Edinburgh native Archie Brennan (1931-2019) in the first-ever major retrospective of his work.
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Ray Harryhausen - Titan of Cinema

26th April 2021 - 20th February 2022

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh West

This exhibition is in collaboration with the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation to celebrate what would have been film special effects superstar Ray Harryhausen's 100th birthday year.
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Charles H. Mackie: Colour and Light

15th May 2021 - 10th October 2021

City Art Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

This major retrospective, the most comprehensive display of Charles H. Mackie’s work in over a century, showcases the breadth of his creative vision and talents.
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Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay

22nd May 2021 - 3rd October 2021

City Art Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

This major exhibition at City Art Centre focuses on the maritime theme in Ian Hamilton Finlay's work. It was a central element of his art, and one to which he returned throughout his life.
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Islander: the Paintings of Donald Smith

29th May 2021 - 26th September 2021

City Art Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

This is the first major exhibition Donald Smith's work, in partnership with An Lanntair, Stornoway and is part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2021.
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Joan Eardley I Centenary

30th July 2021 - 28th August 2021

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh New Town

Marking the centenary of Joan Eardley’s birth, The Scottish Gallery will present a major exhibition of Joan Eardley’s paintings and drawings this Summer as part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
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More Festivals in Edinburgh

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The Edinburgh Festival of Indian Films & Documentaries returns on 24th to 26th November.
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First Stages Festival

Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED

The Traverse is excited to kick off its 2021 programming with its biggest ever series of creative development activity with its First Stages Festival.
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Audacious Women Festival

Audacious Women Festival , Online Event Edinburgh

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

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Goes Online and on Screens for 2020!
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Edinburgh International Improv Festival

, Edinburgh

The Edinburgh International Improv Festival returns to Edinburgh from 27th February to 1st March.
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ScotlandsFest 2018

Quaker Meeting House 7 Victoria Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2JL

Enjoy varied afternoon sessions of stimulating conversation, readings and debate with writers, artists and thinkers.
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Edinburgh TradFest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 30th April to 10th May 2021.
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Edinburghs Christmas

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Following the recent national restrictions, the focus will move to celebrating Edinburgh’s Christmas 2020 online this year.
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Edinburgh Horror Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Horror Festival, or EHF as all the cool kids call it, is a multi-art-form event and one of the most popular Hallowe'en events in Edinburgh.
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Fringe will go ahead in 2021. However, a range of scenarios are being prepared for, from socially distanced live events to digital offerings.
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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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