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Festival Theatre Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival Theatre is a performing arts venue used primarily for performances of opera and ballet, large-scale musical events, and touring groups.

Festival Theatre Edinburgh

About Festival Theatre Edinburgh

13/29 Nicolson Street , Edinburgh South EH8 9FT
01315296000
Festival Theatre Edinburgh Website
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If you like a little added sparkle with your live entertainment then the prestigious Festival Theatre is the place for you. Built in 1994, the impressive glass facade imposes a sense of occasion as you enter the sleek and contemporary foyer spaces. Enjoy a drink in our spacious bars and take in the inspiring views across to Arthur's Seat - but don't let the modern entrance fool you - the traditional 1915-seat auditorium, with its sumptuous decor and lavish fittings, has all the grandeur and splendour you need for a truly special theatrical experience.

Upcoming Events at Festival Theatre Edinburgh

The Beyond Broadway Experience: Footloose

18th July 2025 - 19th July 2025

The Beyond Broadway Experience brings you Footloose, celebrating the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.

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Edinburgh International Festival: Make it Happen

30th July 2025 - 9th August 2025

Set in Edinburgh, Make it Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past.

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Edinburgh International Festival: Mary, Queen of Scots

15th August 2025 - 17th August 2025

Renaissance meets punk in Scottish Ballet’s retelling of the story of one of Scotland’s most famous women.

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Edinburgh International Festival: Figures in Extinction

22nd August 2025 - 24th August 2025

Dance and theatre legends Crystal Pite and Simon McBurney unite with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) to confront the climate crisis through spellbinding movement and sound.

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Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group

31st August 2025

American songwriter, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums, don't miss him live with his Acoustic Group at the Festival Theatre on 31st August!

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Gary Meikle: Neurospicy

5th September 2025

Scottish Comedy Award winner Gary Meikle will bring his Neurospicy tour to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh on Friday 5th September!

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Ocean Film Festival

6th September 2025

The Ocean Film Festival returns to the Festival Theatre with a brand new selection of the world’s most incredible ocean films!

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Fiddler on the Roof

9th September 2025 - 13th September 2025

A theatrical triumph, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s electrifying Fiddler on the Roof is coming to the Festival Theatre in September!

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The Talented Mr Ripley

16th September 2025 - 20th September 2025

This electrifying new stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic psychological thriller to life like never before. Catch it at the Festival Theatre in September!

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The Lightning Thief

23rd September 2025 - 27th September 2025

After taking London by storm, The Lightning Thief thunders into the Festival Theatre Edinburgh in September for its Scottish premiere!

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War Horse

2nd October 2025 - 11th October 2025

The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production of War Horse returns to the Festival Theatre in October 2025!

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To Kill A Mockingbird

21st October 2025 - 25th October 2025

Aaron Sorkin's riveting stage adaptation of Harper Lee's thrilling courtroom drama To Kill A Mockingbird is coming to the Festival Theatre in October!

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Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath - The Ballet

30th October 2025 - 1st November 2025

After its successful world premiere and UK tour in 2023, Black Sabbath – The Ballet returns for an international tour in 2025 and brings it to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh. 

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Edinburgh Gang Show

4th November 2025 - 8th November 2025

The Edinburgh Gang Show returns to the Festival Theatre in November 2025 for another brilliant week of making memories and bringing joy to Edinburgh!

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Uncanny Live: Fear of the Dark

10th November 2025

Danny Robins and his team of experts are back with Uncanny: Fear Of The Dark featuring even more terrifying real-life stories and witness accounts that will have you gripped from the very beginning!

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La bohème

14th November 2025 - 22nd November 2025

Puccini's La bohème stands as one of the world's most celebrated and frequently performed operas. Don't miss it at the Festival Theatre in November!

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Scottish Opera - L’heure espagnole & The Bear

15th November 2025

Scottish Opera presents L'heure espagnole & The Bear a new double bill of two comedies of infidelity directed by Jacopo Spirei!

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Scottish Ballet: The Snow Queen

27th November 2025 - 7th December 2025

Scottish Ballet’s spectacular and much-loved production of The Snow Queen returns to the Festival Theatre stage in 2025!

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Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk

13th December 2025 - 11th January 2026

Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!

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Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker In Havana

3rd February 2026 - 4th February 2026

A Cuban take on the favourite festive classic, Carlos Acosta’s brand-new production Nutcracker in Havana explodes onto the Festival Theatre stage on 3rd & 4th February!

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Banff Mountain Film Festival

7th February 2026

Experience an extraordinary collection of short films when the Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to the Festival Theatre on Saturday 7th February!

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Chris Ramsey - Here Man

8th February 2026

Following overwhelming demand (mainly from his wife Rosie who is desperate to get him out of the house), Chris Ramsey will be back on the road in 2026 with a brand-new stand-up show!

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Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

10th February 2026 - 15th February 2026

The Cornley Amateur Drama Society are back with tidings of chaos and joy, ready to tackle the Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol.

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The Great Wave

19th February 2026 - 21st February 2026

The world premiere of Dai Fujikura’s The Great Wave is an extravagant story about artist Katsushika Hokusai and his famous woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

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We Will Rock You

25th February 2026 - 28th February 2026

The Bohemians are back to perform the worldwide smash hit musical, We Will Rock You by Queen and Ben Elton. The first adult amateur company in Edinburgh to perform it.

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Inspector Morse - House of Ghosts

3rd March 2026 - 7th March 2026

Starring Tom Chambers as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries.

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Serena Terry: Therapy

8th March 2026

Serena Terry, creator of online sensation Mammy Banter, brings her new show Therapy to Edinburgh's Festival Theatre on Sunday 8th March!

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The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins

22nd March 2026

In her first live show in over a decade, Sue Perkins delivers a hilarious treatise on stigma, humiliation, and misunderstanding.

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Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile

24th March 2026 - 28th March 2026

A brand-new adaptation of the globally celebrated Agatha Christie story Death on the Nile is heading out on a nationwide tour, don't miss it at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh in March!

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The High Life

7th April 2026 - 11th April 2026

After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge, The High Life returns with a new musical spectacular to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh featuring all four original cast members!

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Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes

14th April 2026 - 18th April 2026

An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart when it comes to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh!

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The Battle

21st April 2026 - 25th April 2026

The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh is thrilled to announce The Battle, a new comedy based (mostly) on real events co-presented by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep, will arrive at the venue in April 2026.

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Star Struck

7th May 2026 - 9th May 2026

Prepare to be transported into a glamorous world where jazz meets ballet, and the stars align when Scottish Ballet bring Starstruck to the Festival Theatre in May!

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Scottish Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Selected dates between 29th May 2026 - 31st May 2026

Sir Thomas Allen revives his much-loved production of Mozart’s unstoppable masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro, at Festival Theatre in May.

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Assembly Hall

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The Assembly Hall is a well known feature located in the heart of Edinburgh, with a memorable backdrop at the top of the city's Mound, and is a great location for holding a special event!

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Just the Tonic Comedy Club

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Boasting the finest names on the circuit, a top-notch night of comedy is always guaranteed.

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Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Tea Green
Great Run Company
Link
Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
Open Pass Scotland
Paisley First
Fayre Play
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

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