Throughout August, Edinburgh, known as the City of Literature and City of Ideas, was abuzz with people for the annual Edinburgh Festival. Colourful and ingenious posters of performances can be seen everywhere, and public spaces such as stadiums, university colleges and street corners across the city are transformed into hundreds of performance venues where tens of thousands of artists perform thousands of plays. Since its inception in 1947, the Edinburgh Festival has been recognised as the world’s oldest and most extensive arts festival. A world-class cultural extravaganza hosted by Scotland, the 2024 Edinburgh Festival will take place in Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, the following August. During this three-week festival, you can enjoy hundreds of exciting festival celebrations by the world’s finest performers and ensembles, including music, theatre, dance, opera, visual arts, and much more.
Origin of the Edinburgh Festival
The history of the Edinburgh Festival dates back to 1947, after the end of the Second World War. At that time, Sir Rudolph Bing, General Manager of Gladstone Opera House, and Henry Harvey Wood, Head of the British Council, along with many other prominent figures in the British arts scene at the time, gathered in London to raise the idea of organising a festival, in the hope of re-conditioning and uniting people from all countries through the arts, across political and cultural boundaries. The first Edinburgh International Festival was born.
Today, the Festival has evolved into an all-encompassing annual event. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh Art Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival have all been added to the original Edinburgh International Festival. For more than 70 years, these five festivals have established Edinburgh as one of the world’s leading cultural centres. These five festivals have established Edinburgh as the world’s capital of culture and a global city of the arts. People from all over the world who love the performing arts come together in Edinburgh for more than 5,000 events, welcoming 4.4 million people from more than 70 countries and more than 25,000 artists, writers and performers, making the Edinburgh Festival the world’s largest cultural event outside of the Olympic Games.
Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
Date: 2 August – 25 August
The much-anticipated Edinburgh International Festival returns for its 77th anniversary from 2 to 25 August. 2024’s theme is ” Rituals That Unite Us“. This year’s theme is ‘Rituals That Unite Us’, and more than 2,000 artists from 42 countries across the globe will take to the Edinburgh Festival stage to showcase the very best in opera, dance, music and theatre. Many of these performances will have their UK and world premieres in Edinburgh. Echoing the theme of ‘Rituals That Unite Us’, this year’s festival will open with a vast outdoor opening celebration for 10,000 people. Audiences will journey into Scotland’s rich history and intriguing mythology in a ritual that will forge new connections.
To connect the arts with more people, half of the performances at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival will be priced at no more than £30, with a range of incentives available, including £10 tickets, discounts for young people and disadvantaged groups, discounts for group bookings (10 or more), Young Musician Passes and much more. There will also be 25 accessible shows designed to reach a wider audience and improve the audience experience. More information can be found on the website.
Website: https://www.eif.co.uk/
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Date: 2 August – 24 August
The 2024 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo theme is ‘Journeys‘. The Festival brings together marching bands, wind bands, bagpipers, drummers, dancers and performers from all over the world, dressed in the traditional costumes of their respective countries, to give superb musical and dance performances, demonstrating the rich cultural heritage and superior artistic skills.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gathers military bands and performing teams from all over the world. The spectacular performance in front of Edinburgh Castle, which showcases the cultures of various countries with military music, dance, and fireworks displays, is a major highlight of the festival. In particular, Scotland, as the host country, sends a bagpipe band of several hundred people to perform, and the performance scale is huge, and the venue is full.
Website: https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Date: 2 August – 26 August
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, also known as the Edinburgh International Festival, is one of the largest arts festivals in the world and is held annually in August in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its origins can be traced back to 1947 when eight uninvited theatre companies took shape by arranging their performances on the city’s fringe during the Edinburgh International Festival. Since then, this informal arts event has increased to become an independent and influential global cultural event.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the largest arts festivals in the world and is renowned for its diversity and openness. It is home to a diverse and open programme of unique performances from seasoned performers to budding future stars. Audiences can enjoy and participate in theatre, comedy, dance, circus acts, cabaret, children’s shows, physical performances, musicals, operas, music, spoken word performances, exhibitions, and other events.
Website: https://www.edfringe.com/
Edinburgh Art Festival
Date: 9 August – 25 August
Suppose the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe are a revelation for theatre, music, dance and other performing arts lovers. In that case, the Edinburgh Art Festival must be a haven for visual arts lovers. Established in 2004, the Edinburgh Art Festival is the UK’s largest annual visual arts festival. Each year, the Edinburgh Art Festival invites many of the UK’s and international top artists and talented up-and-comers to Edinburgh to exhibit their work and host retrospective exhibitions of works by historically renowned artists. The Festival also commissions several Scottish artists each year to create new art projects in response to social issues.
Edinburgh Art Festival 2024 brings together museums and galleries from all over Edinburgh, tracing through personal histories, the natural world, post-colonial landscapes and the global political arena. You’ll be able to take part in events and enjoy exhibitions in Edinburgh’s museums, galleries, botanic gardens and other art spaces spread across the city. Most of the Art Fair’s events are free to attend, including exhibitions, performances, screenings, artist talks and more.
Website: https://www.edinburghartfestival.com/
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Date: 10 August – 25 August
Edinburgh was the first city in the world to be recognised by UNESCO as a ‘World City of Literature’, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world’s largest and most prestigious literary Festival. The IBF joined the Edinburgh Festival in 1983 to provide a platform for writers worldwide to share their ideas. Its related events include readings, book signings, master writing classes, lectures, forums and more. Cultural phenomena and issues of worldwide concern are discussed at the event’s venue.
The 2024 Edinburgh International Book Festival theme is ‘Future Tense’, which will be held at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary. The Festival has been refocused to put fresh perspectives, relevance, and active learning in the spotlight, with over 500 events that will empower audiences by bringing new and often opposing points of view together. The festival is about more than books; it’s about talking out loud, thinking together, enjoying good discussions, and inspiring people about how they can or should change our individual and collective futures.
Website: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/
Edinburgh Festival Visitors Guide
Viewing Suggestions
- Plan ahead: As there are many programmes during the Festival, it is advisable to plan which programmes you would like to watch and purchase tickets in advance.
- Learn more about the Festival: Use the official website or related media to learn about each programme’s content, performance time and location.
- Immerse in the art: During the Festival, you have the unique opportunity to witness rehearsals up close or engage in post-performance talks, delving deeper into the artists’ stories and the inspiration behind their works. Don’t miss these thrilling chances to interact with the artists.
- Dressing advice: As the Festival may encounter various weather conditions, it is advisable to wear comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing and bring rain gear with you.
Practical Information
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased through the Edinburgh Festival’s official website, ticket outlets or relevant partners.
- Transport: Edinburgh is easily accessible to all venues by public transport or car hire. Please check the route and travelling time in advance.
- Catering and Accommodation: Demand for catering and accommodation in Edinburgh may increase during the Edinburgh Festival. It is recommended that you book your Edinburgh accommodation and restaurants in advance.
FAQ
What date does the 2024 Edinburgh Festival start?
The Edinburgh Festival is held in Edinburgh every year throughout August, and here are the dates for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival.
- Edinburgh International Festival: 2 August – 25 August
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: 2 August – 24 August
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe: 2 August – 26 August
- Edinburgh Art Festival: 9 August – 25 August
- Edinburgh International Book Festival: 10 August – 25 August
What types of events and performances can I expect at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival?
The festival features various events, including theatre productions, musical performances, dance shows, visual art exhibitions, comedy acts, and literary readings, showcasing both established and emerging talents.
What should I know about accommodation during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival?
Over a million people will flock to Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Accommodation in Edinburgh fills up quickly during the festival, so early booking is advisable. With everything from hotels and guesthouses to student accommodation and short-term rentals, visit uhomes.com for more information on Edinburgh accommodation.
