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An insider's guide to the best festivals and events in Edinburgh, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, TradFest and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. By Linda Macdonald, Telegraph Travel's Edinburgh expert.
Calendar of festivals and events 2018
Message from the Skies
January 1-25
See the city through a short story by Scottish author Val McDermid, told in projections—each building or landmark a developing chapter. A fitting tribute to UNESCO’s first City of Literature.
Location: various venues
Admission: free
Contact: edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/message-from-the-skies-new-years-resurrection
Red Rose Street Festival
February 25-27
A three-day festival of all things Burns with ceilidhs, comedy and the Captivate Theatre.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary; some events are free
Contact:redredrosestreet.co.uk
Edinburgh International Science Festival
March 31-April 15
A fascinating and fun look at all things scientific, with events and workshops for all ages.
A post shared by Edinburgh Science Festival (@edscifest) on Dec 14, 2015 at 5:27am PST
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: 00 44 131 553 0320; sciencefestival.co.uk
TradFest Edinburgh
April 26-May 7
A celebration of Scots and Gaelic folk arts through dance, music, drama, storytelling and traditional arts and crafts.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: 00 44 131 556 9579; tracscotland.org
Beltane Fire Festival
April 30
Join over 300 performers marking the beginning of summer with a madly colourful procession and Beltane bonfire.
Location: Calton Hill
Admission: £8
Contact: beltane.org
Edinburgh International Children's Festival
May 26-June 3
An international festival of performing arts for children.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary; some events free
Contact: 00 44 225 8050; imaginate.org.uk
Gardening Scotland Show
June 1-3
Scotland’s national gardening fair and outdoor living show.
A post shared by Gardening Scotland (@gardeningscot) on Feb 7, 2017 at 1:52am PST
Location: Highland Show Ground
Admission: £15-£16
Contact: 00 44 131 333 0965; gardeningscotland.com
Edinburgh International Film Festival
June 20-July 1
Part of the internationally recognised film festival circuit, with premieres, screenings and stars from all over the world.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: 00 44 131 623 8030; edfilmfest.org.uk
Royal Highland Show
June 21-24
The annual sprawling showcase of all that is best from the Scottish countryside, with entertainment, shopping, food and displays.
Location: Highland Show Ground
Admission: £29
Contact: 0044 131 335 6200; royalhighlandshow.org
Edinburgh International Magic Festival
May 11-19
An increasingly rare chance to experience live magic shows, with workshops and street magic masterclasses.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary; some events free
Contact: 00 44 131 529 6000; magicfest.co.uk
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
July 13-22
The longest running jazz festival in the UK with over 140 gigs attracting top performers, as well as the annual Mardi Gras and Carnival, parade, jam sessions, classes and talks.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: edinburghjazzfestival.com
Edinburgh Art Festival
July 26-August 26
A collaborative celebration of contemporary Scottish art, featuring exhibitions, installations and special events.
Location: various venues
Admission: most events free
Contact: edinburghartfestival.com
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
August 3-27
The biggest arts event in the world takes over the city for three weeks of entertaining and often indescribable mayhem.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary; some events free
Contact: 00 44 131 226 0026; edfringe.com
Edinburgh International Festival
August 3-27
The original and best: theatre, classical music, opera, dance and art from around the world.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: eif.co.uk
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August 3-25
Edinburgh Castle is the stunning setting for an atmospheric extravaganza of pipers, drummers, singers and dancers.
Location: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
Admission: from £25
Contact: 00 44 131 225 1188; edintattoo.co.uk
Edinburgh Book Festival
August 11-27
A wide-ranging programme of talks and events for book-lovers of all ages.
A post shared by Edinburgh International Fest (@edintfest) on Oct 24, 2016 at 10:02am PDT
Location: Charlotte Square Gardens
Admission: ticket prices vary; some events free
Contact: 00 44 131 718 5666; edbookfest.co.uk
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
October 19-31
Poets, national bards and weavers of tall-tales continue the oral tradition of storytelling, celebrated in events across the city.
Location: various venues
Admission: many events free
Contact: tracscotland.org
Edinburgh’s Christmas
Late November-early January
The city lights up for Christmas with markets, ice-skating, rides and attractions, food stalls and shows—every kind of festive magic.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary; many events and attractions free
Contact: 00 44 131 623 3031; edinburghschristmas.com
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
December 30-January 1
Claiming to be the biggest street party in the world, celebrations start on the 30th with a huge torchlight procession of massed pipes and drums with a fireworks finale. This is followed by the New Year’s Eve street party, the concert in the gardens and a fabulous fireworks display to bring in the New Year in grand pyrotechnic style.
Location: various venues
Admission: ticket prices vary
Contact: edinburghshogmanay.com
The Loony Dook
January 1
If you’re brave enough, jump on one of the buses to South Queensferry to take part in the Dooker’s Parade before taking a more than a little bracing New Year’s Day dip beneath the Forth Bridges.
Location: South Queensferry
Admission: £11 (includes donation to the RNLI)
Contact: edinburghshogmanay.com
