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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

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

Edinburgh Horror Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Horror Festival is one of the most popular Hallowe'en events in Edinburgh. Incorporating theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games, improv, workshops and more!

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Edinburghs Hogmanay

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is back to celebrate the end of 2025 and the new year with an unforgettable experience for Edinburgh and beyond.

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Edinburgh International Book Festival

Edinburgh Futures Institute 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh South EH3 9EF

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

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Luminate Festival: Edinburgh & Lothians

NA NA, NA NA

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

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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.

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Porty Festival

, Portobello

Porty Festival, a family friendly festival, returns to Portobello on Saturday 2nd to Monday 4th May - highlighting all things Portobello.

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Falastin Film Festival

Scottish Storytelling Centre 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

Falastin Film Festival (FFF) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit collective of Palestinians and allies dedicated to bringing Palestinian art to the Edinburgh and Highland audiences.

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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.

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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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Manipulate Festival

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The 19th edition of Manipulate Festival will take place between 4th and 10th February 2026.

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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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Leith Comedy Festival

, Leith

The first full Leith Comedy Festival will take place in popular live venues and community hubs across Leith this October.

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All Festivals listings in Edinburgh

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Sponsored Links

Local Motive Markets
The Chocolatarium
Children's Classic Concerts
Open Pass Scotland
Fayre Play
WST
Escape The Past
Wonder & Co
MNB
Hilton Glasgow
Kevin Quantum
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
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Castle Of Light
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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 Jupiter
Christmas at Jupiter Artland brings together art, landscape and festive tradition across 9 consecutive days from 6th - 14th December, transforming the park into a Festive Village!
Fin Taylor: The Pre-emptive Comeback Special
Fin Taylor brings his sharp, direct, and fearless stand-up to Edinburgh's Queen's Hall on Saturday 31st October as part of his Pre-emptive Comeback Special tour!

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