CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

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
01314732000
Edinburgh International Festival Website
Follow edintfest on Twitter
Facebook information can be found here
Follow edintfest on Instagram

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

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

More Festivals in Edinburgh

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!

READ MORE

Cymera Festival

The Pleasance 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh South EH8 9TJ

Cymera is Scotland's Festival of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and it returns to Edinburgh from 6th to 8th June.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Krampus Festival

29 - 35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

While Santa and his elves frolic under snowflakes, something sinister is lurking in the icy caverns of Niddry Street.

READ MORE

Edinburgh International Magic Festival

,

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

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Just Festival

St John's Church Princes Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 4BJ

Edinburgh’s Just Festival Celebrates 21st Year With Bumper Programme. Free to attend programme online and at St. John’s Church, Princes Street from 6th – 30th August.

READ MORE

TravFest 2025

Traverse Theatre 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh West EH1 2ED

TravFest 2025 sees the iconic festival and fringe venue showcase an incredible programme of brilliant and bold theatre.

READ MORE

Porty Festival

, Portobello

Porty Festival is a brand new family friendly festival coming to Portobello on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May - highlighting all things Portobello.

READ MORE

Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

30B Grindlay Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH3 9AX

Edinburgh International Children's Festival of performing arts for children and young people.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Festival of Politics

, Edinburgh Old Town EH99 1SP

The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics takes place in August, with a three-day programme of over 30 events, taking place in the home of Scottish politics at Holyrood.

READ MORE

Luminate Festival: Edinburgh & Lothians

NA NA, NA NA

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

READ MORE
All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

MNB
Hilton Glasgow
Kevin Quantum
WST
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play
Go Ape
Escape The Past
Mowgli
The Chocolatarium
Tea Green
Wonder & Co
Salvation Army
Children's Classic Concerts

Sponsored Links

MNB
Hilton Glasgow
Kevin Quantum
WST
Hilton Glasgow
Fayre Play
Go Ape
Escape The Past
Mowgli
The Chocolatarium
Tea Green
Wonder & Co
Salvation Army
Children's Classic Concerts

Popular Events

Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
Coca Cola Christmas Truck Tour Edinburgh
Holidays are coming... the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour returns for Christmas 2025, kicking off with two stops in Edinburgh!
Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!

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