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Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is an unparalleled celebration of music, theatre, opera and dance performed across our beautiful city.

Edinburgh International Festival

About Edinburgh International Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh
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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.

Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival

Edinburgh International Festival

7th August 2026 - 30th August 2026
Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 7th to 30th August 2026 with live performance throughout the city.

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Verdi’s A Masked Ball

26th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

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

28th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

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

29th August 2026

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

30th August 2026

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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Related Links

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, 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

Luminate Festival: Edinburgh & Lothians

NA NA, NA NA

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

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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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First Stages Festival

Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED

The Traverse kicks off its 2022 programme with a wide range of interactive workshops and Q&As, in-person readings and creative prompts for first time writers to seasoned theatremakers.

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Edinburgh International Improv Festival

Monkey Barrel Comedy Blair Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1QR

The Edinburgh International Improv Festival brings the best of American-style long-form improv comedy to Scotland's beautiful capital city.

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NT Art Month

, 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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The Saltire Festival

, Various Locations East Lothian

The Saltire Festival returns for 2022 celebrating St. Andrew's Day in the Home of the Flag!

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Baroque Music Festival

Institut français d'Ecosse West Parliament Square, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1RF

In April 2026, join us for a musical journey through Europe with the second edition of the Baroque Music Festival!

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Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

, 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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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!

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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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Portobello Book Festival

, Various Locations Portobello

Portobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.

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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!

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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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Sponsored Links

The Cookbook Shop
Cancer Research UK
Wonder & Co
Cancer Research UK
Escape The Past
The Chocolatarium
The Cogency
Fayre Play
King Pins
ATG
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Popular Events

Charlie Puth
Internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum and award-winning artist, producer, musician and songwriter Charlie Puth has announced the Whatever's Clever! 2026 World Tour, coming to Edinburgh in July!
Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show
Watch the iconic McEwans Hall in Edinburgh come alive with Enlightenment, a spectacular sound and light show, set to the enchanting melodies of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons!
Community Connections
Each month in the beautiful and historic Abbey Strand Centre, Community Connections will explore themes from across the Royal Collection and the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Orchard Wassailing
Come along to Lauriston Farm Community Orchard for songs led by Penny Stone, and merry noise-making with bells and drums, to celebrate their beloved orchard trees and wish them a good year ahead!
Guid Crack: Ae Fond Kiss
Join the Scottish Storytelling Centre for another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh's monthly storytelling club, Guid Crack, held upstairs in the Waverley Bar!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall