| , Various Locations Edinburgh | |
| 01314732000 | |
| Edinburgh International Festival Website | |
| 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.
Zurich Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera, A Masked Ball, filled with desire, treachery and political peril.
READ MORESan Francisco Ballet presents a provocative myth for the AI age, in their futuristic retelling of Pandora’s Box at Edinburgh Playhouse.
READ MOREThe Berliner Philharmoniker and Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko open the Usher Hall series with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony and Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.
READ MOREExperience ‘the world’s greatest orchestra’ (LA Times) performing with award-winning soloist Augustin Hadelich in the closing concert of their residency.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.
READ MOREEdinburgh’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 MOREJoin us for a multi-art festival of visual and performing arts, including photography, art installations, painting, theatre, short films, live music and dance!
READ MORERed Red Rose Street returns for 2018 with a festival of Burns’ music and words running from 25th - 27th January.
READ MORENT Art Month is a month-long celebration of the incredible arts quarter in Edinburgh's New Town.
READ MOREThe Saltire Festival returns for 2022 celebrating St. Andrew's Day in the Home of the Flag!
READ MORECurious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s annual festival of knowledge – a free, open-to-all celebration of ideas, discovery, and conversation.
READ MOREEdinburgh's Festival of Migration, celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of our city and our neighbours!
READ MOREEdinburgh’s Hogmanay is back to celebrate the end of 2025 and the new year with an unforgettable experience for Edinburgh and beyond.
READ MOREIn April 2026, join us for a musical journey through Europe with the second edition of the Baroque Music Festival!
READ MORELammermuir Festival is East Lothian's celebration of Beautiful Music in Beautiful Places.
READ MORESet up in 1978, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival now presents high quality musicians from all over the world.
READ MOREEdinburgh’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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