Edinburgh International Festival

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

About Edinburgh International Festival

	, Various Locations Edinburgh
	01314732000
	Edinburgh International Festival Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Festivals

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.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Edinburgh International Festival are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Festival

Theatre

Verdi’s A Masked Ball

26th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Festival Theatre Edinburgh, Edinburgh South

Zurich Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s stunning opera, A Masked Ball, filled with desire, treachery and political peril.

Dance

Edinburgh International Festival: Mere Mortals

28th August 2026 - 30th August 2026

Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh New Town

San Francisco Ballet presents a provocative myth for the AI age, in their futuristic retelling of Pandora’s Box at Edinburgh Playhouse.

Music

Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Elgar & Tchaikovsky

29th August 2026

Usher Hall, Edinburgh West

The Berliner Philharmoniker and Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko open the Usher Hall series with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony and Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.

Music

Edinburgh International Festival: Berliner Philharmoniker: Closing Concert

30th August 2026

Usher Hall, Edinburgh West

Experience ‘the world’s greatest orchestra’ (LA Times) performing with award-winning soloist Augustin Hadelich in the closing concert of their residency.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet.

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

Edinburgh International Film Festival

88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh West EH3 9BZ

The Edinburgh International Film Festival will return from 13th to 19th August 2026 at the very heart of Edinburgh's festival season.

Festivals

Edinburgh Tradfest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.

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

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!

Festivals

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.

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