All the dates you need for Edinburgh and Scotland’s Summer Festivals
It’s an amazing time to be an Edinburgh Girl right now as Festival Season is about to go into full swing, with the infamous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival and so much more. And with the city hosting over 500,000 people every August, we can’t wait to hear the experiences from so many City Girls travelling to Edinburgh to have the time of their lives.
In true festival spirit, there are so many events happening across Edinburgh and beyond in Scotland, that’s it’s really easy to miss out. So, when VisitScotland shared this list of all the Festivals happening across Scotland’s rich cultural landscape, we wanted to share it with you too.
The Edinburgh Festivals this August
Edinburgh International Festival’s Opening Event by VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Back for another spectacle in 2024, the Edinburgh Festivals are set to bring a wave of colour and soaring excitement to the city.
Key dates:
Edinburgh International Festival, 2 – 25 August: Committed to virtuosity and originality, the International Festival presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre, making Scotland's capital an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, 2 – 24 August: Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Tattoo is one of the most special events in Edinburgh's calendar, celebrating the skills and talents of military bands and cultural performers from around the globe.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2 – 26 August: One of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet, artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, and more, so that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Edinburgh Art Festival, 9 – 25 August: the UK's largest annual festival of visual art showcased in galleries across the city, featuring Scottish and international artists to make new and ambitious projects which engage with the extraordinary context of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh International Book Festival, 10 – 25 August: a distinctive international showcase celebrating the written word, literature, and ideas, bringing together leading and emerging international, British, and Scottish authors and thinkers.
Edinburgh International Film Festival, 15 – 21 August: renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema, the festival explores new ideas, inviting local and international audiences to engage with a dynamic programme.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival will open with new film The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan as a young woman who finds herself back home on the Scottish Islands of Orkney as she battles to rebuild her life. More info can be found here. The film will be on general release in the UK on 27 September; view the trailer here.
Don't forget to return to Edinburgh outside the summer months to enjoy other fantastic festivals, such as the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October and the Edinburgh Science Festival in April.
More Festivals and Events across Scotland
As a summer of fun wraps up, a plethora of autumn events offers up a season of foodie fun, literary highlights and design moments.
World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow, 16 – 17 August
The World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green brings together the finest bands to compete in the ultimate showcase of piping. This August, visitors can see the best pipe bands in the world compete for glory and have a great day out, immersed in Scottish culture on Glasgow Green!
Stranraer Oyster Festival, Stranraer, 13 – 15 September
Marking the start of the UK's native oyster season, this year's Stranraer Oyster Festival will put the environmental story of their regeneration at the forefront as well as the story of the community-led regeneration of Stranraer. Taking place just a short distance from Loch Ryan, the native oyster bed that inspired the festival and one of the most important oyster beds in Europe, the weekend of events will include The Scottish Shucking Championship, a light procession during the opening parade, an oyster bar and extreme pond dipping.
Arran Festival of Food & Drink, Arran, 13 – 22 September
The Arran Festival of Food & Drink returns for its third year. This year's theme Scran Stories will celebrate local produce that comes from the island's unique terroir and micro-climate across a mix of larger foodie events, festival menus and collaborations. There will also be farm tours and Harvest Fest – a market day showcasing local producers and suppliers, delicious hot food and a range of local stalls.
Dundee Design Festival, Dundee, 23 – 29 September
Scotland's national celebration of contemporary design's exciting exhibition programme will bring together over 100 designers under one roof for a series of demonstrations, workshops and talks looking at this year's theme of multiplicity. The festival will include a range of free, fun and exciting interactive activities, events, talks and workshops where visitors can get hands on and explore design, meet makers and engage in conversations around the festival's theme.
Wigtown Book Festival, Wigtown, 27 September – 6 October
The ten-day celebration of books in Scotland's National Book Town returns this September welcoming international audiences and a wonderful line-up of authors. One of the UK's best-loved literary events, this year's festival will have over 200 events and activities for visitors of all ages including music, theatre, food and visual arts.
One year to go…
Feeling inspired by this summer's sporting extravaganza and already looking for more?! In just less than a year's time the Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place (12 – 18 July 2025). This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 islands groups from across the world compete in 12 sports from archery to athletics and gymnastics to golf. What's more, the 2025 edition marks the 20th International Island Games in its landmark 40th year since it all began.
This information was provided by VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourist organisation.