Edinburgh Tradfest
The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 2nd to 12th May 2025.
About Edinburgh Tradfest
| , Various Locations Edinburgh | |
| Edinburgh Tradfest Website | |
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The past, present and future of traditional music
Edinburgh Tradfest has a rich story. With its longer tap roots in the Edinburgh Folk Festival, it was launched by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) in 2013 to provide a distinctive platform for folk arts in the capital city.
Edinburgh is a hot house of talent, home grown and visiting, and Tradfest is an opportunity to see it all in play.
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.
Upcoming Events at Edinburgh Tradfest
Ross Ainslie & the Sanctuary Band
Ross Ainslie gets together with collaborators The Sanctuary Band to perform tracks from the brand-new album, Pool at The Queens Hall Edinburgh on Friday 2nd May!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: MAIK
Jamie Cook and Kirsty Law have joined forces to bring some of their most beloved songs together as brand new folk duo MAIK. Catch them at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Family Beltane
This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: May Day Parade: Action for Justice
Artists, performers and culture workers of all kinds are called to join Tradfest musicians and mummers on the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day procession.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Mini Mummers Parade Prep
Join the Family Beltane crew for a morning of mask decoration, crafting and face painting ahead of the May Day Parade.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Divergence
Divergence is so named because the band seeks to employ non-traditional instruments in traditionally-inspired music and you can hear them at the Traverse Theatre on 3rd May.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: An Introduction to Gaelic Storytelling
Join Gaelic storyteller Martin MacIntyre for an introductory session exploring the history, importance and joy in Gaelic storytelling culture in Scotland.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Leveret
Leveret, a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians, return to The Traverse at part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay
Don't miss the unmissable annual #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay featuring a concert with an outstanding line-up at the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 3rd May!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Easy Sundays: Family Ceilidh
Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 4th May!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Dowally + Philippe Boudot: Ici et Là-Bas
Don't miss cinematic-folk duo Dowally and innovative French drummer Philippe Boudot as they celebrate the release of their album Ici et Là-Bas, recorded last year in Edinburgh!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Martyn Bennett: The Music Lives On
Join us for this special hour of chat (and the odd tune) in the company of two people who have, in their own ways, made sure that Martyn Bennett’s music lives on.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Hartwin Trio
Discover a dazzling play of sounds during this concert by the Hartwin Trio as part of Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Lauren MacColl: Half A Lifetime
For this very special Edinburgh Tradfest gig Lauren MacColl plays tunes from her most recent album Haar, along with a delve into the back catalogue.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Teho.
Teho., a Finnish power-fiddle duo that explodes musical boundaries while having roots deeply in the tradition, play the Traverse Theatre on 5th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: For The Love of Trees
This year’s special commission at Edinburgh Tradfest is by the legendary harpist, singer and composer Mary Macmaster!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Hip Hop Story Stop! Old Edinburgh Street Games & Stories
Join Claire McNicol and Fergus McNicol for a lively, family-friendly session of traditional street games, playful rhymes, toe-tapping songs, and captivating tales from Old Edinburgh!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Scotland’s Ancient Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight
In his new book Scotland’s Sacred Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottish people.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: The Hot Seats
The Hot Seats are returning to Scotland for the first time since the pandemic and they play Edinburgh Tradfest for the first time!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Cafe Ceilidh
Celebrate Edinburgh's Tradfest with a free afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories with friends from the Scots Music Group in the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Stories and Songs in the North-East Bothy Tradition
Join ballad singer Allan Taylor, fiddler Karin Paterson and storytellers Phyll McBain and Jackie Ross for a ceilidh of land, laughter and a hearty dollop of Doric!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Morag Brown & Lewis Powell-Reid
Morag Brown and Lewis Powell-Reid play a rich repertoire of instrumental music from Scottish traditions along with many others.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Beth Malcolm
Glasgow-based folk sensation Beth Malcolm plays the Traverse Theatre on Wednesday 7th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Let Them Be Heard: Sangstream Scots Folk Choir
Sangstream, the a cappella Scots folk choir now in its 28th year, led by the renowned Corrina Hewat, is excited to perform their rich choice of songs as part of Tradfest.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: The Travelling Janes
Led by celebrated Scottish-American jazz vocalist Ali Affleck, The Traveling Janes is an all-women international ensemble. Catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 7th May!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Ellie Beaton
Enjoy an hour in the company of Ellie Beaton, this year’s BBC Scotland Young Trad Winner, at the Traverse Theatre on 8th May!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Seckou Keita
Enjoy uplifting and contemplative music from Seckou Keita, a renowned Kora virtuoso who stands as a luminary amongst African traditional musicians!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Hearth Fire Sessions
Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell
Though they grew up half a world apart, Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell connect through the quiet brilliance of their songcraft and the warm clarity of their delivery.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Kathleen Macinnes
Enjoy a super special gig from Kathleen Macinnes, one of Scotland’s national treasures, as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Bog Standard
Bog Standard is the gripping true story of a tip off which led a rookie journalist to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: The Legend of the Anonymous Poet (Or a 20th Century Barbarian Account)
This special live performance from filmmaker/storytellers Nadir Bouhmouch and Soumeya Ait Ahmed combines film, lecture and storytelling!
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The Poet and the Moon: Lorca’s Flamenco Soul
TuFlamenco presents a tribute to Federico García Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet, through Flamenco’s rhythm, dance, and poetry at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 10th May.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Transforming Auld Reekie - Walking Tour
Meeting at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, enjoy a walking tour around the sights and sounds of Edinburgh’s Old Town with artist/curator Claudia Zeiske on 10th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Claire Hastings (Relaxed Performance)
In a new departure for ETF25 we present a very special one hour gig designed to appeal to all ages, from new babies upwards.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Sunshine Stories: Sensory Stories and Play
Join storyteller Ailie Finlay from My Kind of Book on a fun-packed, sensory adventure for May time as we head off through the green grass and squelchy bogs of Scotland!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach
Their sound of Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach is best described as cinematic alt-folk, fusing elements of folk, classical, jazz, indie, electronic and alternative music. It’s unbelievably beautiful.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Finlay MacDonald Band
The Finlay Macdonald Band has been coming very much to the fore over the past couple of years and you can catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 10th May as part of Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Storytelling for Musicians
Join musician and storyteller David Francis and learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling on this workshop as part of Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: ETF Spotlight
Each year we present a show that will throw a light on some of the most exciting new performers in folk and traditional music today.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Remembering Douglas
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a celebration of independent film in Scotland through the lens of celebrated filmmaker Douglas Eadie!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Rebellious Truth 25: Joy Dunlop + Fraser Fifield
The talk by Joy Dunlop will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic.
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Pelkkä Poutanen
Don't miss Pelkkä Poutanen, a hypnotic and unique artist known for her distinctive voice and masterful throat-singing techniques, at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!
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Edinburgh Tradfest: Siobhan Miller Band
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the Siobhan Miller band in full flight at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!
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TravFest 2024
TravFest 2024 sees the iconic festival and fringe venue showcase an incredible programme of brilliant and bold theatre.
READ MORE
Edinburghs Christmas
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!
READ MORE
ScotlandsFest
2024 marks the 7th year of ScotlandsFest, more than 40 captivating events celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Improv Festival
Edinburgh International Improv Festival is back in person at Scottish Storytelling Centre from 20th to 23rd March 2025.
READ MORE
Push the Boat Out
Push the Boat Out returns for 2023. Join us for three epic days, 24th – 26th November, throughout Edinburgh’s iconic Summerhall.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival
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
Rare Books Edinburgh
Rare Books Edinburgh is a festival dedicated to rare, collectable and important books and the history of the book.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is an unparalleled celebration of music, theatre, opera and dance performed across our beautiful city.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival
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READ MORE
Manipulate Festival
The 18th edition of Manipulate Festival will take place between 12th and 15th February 2025.
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Edinburgh International Children's Festival of performing arts for children and young people.
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Edinburgh Science Festival is an educational charity that aims to inspire all ages and backgrounds.
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