Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival began in 1983 and is now a key event in the August Festival season.

About Edinburgh International Book Festival

	Edinburgh Futures Institute 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh South EH3 9EF
	Edinburgh International Book Festival Website
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - Festivals / Activities - Reading and Discussion

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a registered charity, a non-profit making organisation. It is a distinctive international showcase celebrating the written word, literature and ideas. It brings leading and emerging international, British and Scottish authors and thinkers together to inspire each other and audiences in an extensive programme of public events.

Discussion, performance and interactive events have become prominent features of the Festival, complementing the more traditional interview-style conversations and readings, and contributing to the Book Festival’s reputation as a powerful forum for the public to exchange views with writers and experts on a wide range of issues: social, ethical and political as well as literary and cultural. At the heart of the Book Festival’s activity is an integrated approach to creative learning and education, with the aim of expanding participation in democratic discussion, fostering a love of reading and developing engaged, knowledgeable audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Book Festival

Books

Edinburgh International Book Festival

15th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Edinburgh Futures Institute, Edinburgh Old Town

The 2026 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 15th to Sunday 30th August with the Theme 'Repair'.

Festivals

Push the Boat Out

Summerhall 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh South EH9 1PL

Push the Boat Out returns for 2023. Join us for three epic days, 24th – 26th November, throughout Edinburgh’s iconic Summerhall.

Festivals

Edinburgh International Magic Festival

Edinburgh International Magic Festival is back this Christmas with a mind-blowing programme of shows, events and workshops!

Festivals

Syn Festival Edinburgh

, Various Locations in Edinburgh

Join us for a multi-art festival of visual and performing arts, including photography, art installations, painting, theatre, short films, live music and dance!

Festivals

Luminate Festival: Edinburgh & Lothians

NA NA, NA NA

Luminate: Scotland's creative ageing festival celebrating creativity as we age.

Festivals

Edinburgh Gaelic Festival

, Edinburgh

A festival celebrating Edinburgh Gaelic community past and present. A' dèanamh fèill air coimhearsnachd Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann.

Festivals

Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh’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.

Festivals

Leith Festival

, Leith

Leith Festival is an array of colour, sound, culture and pageantry that takes place over nine days in June.

Festivals

Edinburgh Science Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe's biggest science festivals, taking place annually over the Easter holidays!

Festivals

Edinburghs Christmas

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh's Christmas transforms the beautiful city centre with festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events and much more!

Festivals

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.

Festivals