Edinburgh Activities: Festivals

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Edinburgh in the summer becomes "festival city" when a huge number of major national and international arts festivals are hosted by the city. Most of these occur virtually simultaneously in August. These cater for a wide variety of interests and include:

• The Edinburgh International Festival www.eif.co.uk— The original that spawned all the rest. Founded in 1947 and still seen as more "high-brow" than any of its offspring. Surprisingly, tickets are often priced more reasonably than for many Fringe shows.
• The Edinburgh Military Tattoo www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk— One of the iconic images of Edinburgh for millions worldwide is the yearly Tattoo, kilted pipers skirling below the battlements of Edinburgh Castle. Although tickets sell out well in advance, persevering individuals are likely to find one or two tickets still for sale due to cancellations...just be prepared to ask, ask, and ask again!
• The Edinburgh Fringe Festival www.edfringe.com— As the name might suggest, this Festival developed on the "Fringe" of the main International Festival and offers more alternative performances, with an emphasis on comedy and avant-garde; it is now the largest arts festival in the world.
• The Edge Festival www.theedgefestival.com (formerly known as "T on the Fringe")— Music festival which takes place alongside the Fringe Festival.
• Edinburgh Hogmanay. www.edinburghshogmanay.org A night of fun, fireworks and singing in Princess Street gardens.
• The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival. www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk
• The Edinburgh International Book Festival www.edbookfest.co.uk— Takes place in a temporary village of marquees at Charlotte Square (West End of George Street, New Town).
• The Edinburgh International Film Festival www.edfilmfest.org.uk— Now moved to June from its former slot in August, so that it no longer clashes with all the others! Centred around the Filmhouse Cinema on Lothian Road, though other cinemas take part too.
• The Edinburgh International Television Festival www.mgeitf.co.uk— Predominantly a "closed shop" for industry professionals only.
• The Edinburgh Mela www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk— Multicultural festival held in Leith.
• Imaginate Festival www.imaginate.org.uk/festival— Every May/June, an international festival of children's theatre.
• Edinburgh International Science Festival www.sciencefestival.co.uk— Takes place annually in March or April. Emphasis on "hands-on" science.

One important thing to decide when planning a trip to Edinburgh is whether you wish to go at festival time, which runs from early August through to mid-September. Hotel rooms in and around the city are noticeably much more expensive then, and you will need to book well (at least six months!) in advance.

• Darn Hall, 26 km (16 miles)

• Fala Knowe, 9 km (6 miles)