Edinburgh International Festival sees Fullest Theatres and Concert Halls in more than a Decade
The 2025 Edinburgh International Festival concluded yesterday after an extraordinary three-week celebration of opera, dance, music and theatre in Scotland’s capital.
Article Source: Edinburgh International Festival
Last Updated: 26 August 2025 10:15
25 August, Edinburgh: The third under the leadership of Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, this year’s Festival was distinguished by a bold programme that both challenged and rewarded audiences. Over 2,000 artists from across 41 nations shared a range of perspectives, taking to stages in unconventional formats and settings across the city.
Over 111,000 audience members attended from 91 countries to enjoy the finest and most exciting performers from across the globe, including 7 world premieres, 8 UK and Scottish premieres, and 2 European premieres. Kicking off with the world premiere of blockbuster play Make It Happen, which alone was attended by over 22,000 people, other highlights included the eight-hour choral epic The Veil of The Temple; an Australian circus reimagining of opera Orpheus and Eurydice; and Nederlands Dans Theater's extraordinary Figures in Extinction. The overall quality of the programme was recognised by audiences and critics alike, with 81% of starred reviews receiving 4 or 5 star ratings from critics and exceptional sales across the programme, with 66 sell out performances, and 88% of the total tickets available were issued.
Maintaining its industry-leading concessions, the International Festival prioritised affordability, with targeted pricing initiatives for those who need it most. Half of all tickets were priced £30 or under, including over 5,000 £10 tickets which were offered across every performance in the programme. In partnership with Tickets for Good, over 1,000 tickets were also donated to NHS staff, charity workers and low-income benefit recipients.
Expanding the Festival’s offering to the broadest possible audience, this year saw the first-ever dementia-friendly concert sell out as well as 18 performances and workshops in healthcare and community settings across the city. Exceeding 2024 totals, 7,271 free and heavily discounted tickets were issued to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and 763 new audience members signed up for the free Access Pass, bringing total membership to a new high of over 2,000.
This year the International Festival also championed youth and emerging talent, creating pathways into transformative cultural experiences. A record-breaking 2,695 tickets were issued to young people from across Scotland to attend performances for free through the Young Musician’s Pass, as well as hundreds of Edinburgh's secondary school pupils who deepened their engagement with the arts through performances and workshops. 24 Rising Star artists collaborated with International Festival mentors and performers on stage this year, contributing to a cohort of 45 early career classical musicians who have been supported with professional development opportunities since 2023.
In 2025, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus celebrated 60 years as the beating heart of the International Festival. Each year, non-professional singers from across Scotland come together to perform cornerstone works with some of the world’s greatest soloists, conductors and orchestras. This year, the 160 volunteer chorus members performed for 10,000 attendees in a range of events including the monumental Opening Concert The Veil of the Temple, two performances as part of the London Symphony Orchestra residency, and the Closing Concert, Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Inspired by their dedication, the 2025 programme offered an open invitation for people from all walks of life to come and sing: The Big Singalong in Princes St Gardens welcomed thousands to join Scottish legend Dougie MacLean in a rousing rendition of Caledonia, and 750 amateur singers enjoyed a full-day workshop taking on highlights from Mendelssohn's epic Elijah.
Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti said: “This year's International Festival has been one of extraordinary contrasts, from grandeur and scale to intimacy and informality. Through the theme The Truth We Seek, we were determined to challenge as well as entertain. In presenting innovative and risk-taking work we were able to spark debate, dialogue, and a healthy friction that audiences responded to in unprecedented numbers. I've seen this year how art can build bridges, change minds and find connection in a world that so desperately needs it. This Festival reminded us why we gather, why we create, and why we believe."
Chief Executive, Francesca Hegyi said: "This year’s International Festival has been a remarkable celebration of ideas, welcoming audiences from across Scotland and 91 other countries. Its success reaffirms Edinburgh’s place as the world’s leading Festival City, and the International Festival itself as a global cultural beacon each August. Our commitment to accessibility, youth engagement and artistic excellence has never been stronger, from our sell-out first-ever dementia-friendly concert to record-breaking take-up of the Young Musician’s Pass. The International Festival is not only a showcase of world-class performance, but also a vital meeting place for cultures, ideas and audiences worldwide. It’s this collection of talent and annual exchange of ideas that sets it apart on the global stage."
Image: Nicola Benedetti
Image credit: Laurence Winram
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