Edinburgh International Festival. 7 – 29 August 2021
Edinburgh International Festival
In the great festival city.
7 – 29 August 2021
Basic Information
When: 7 – 29 August 2021
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Official website: https://www.eif.co.uk
Hotels: Overview of Hotels in Edinburgh
August is the big festival month.
Since the city is the country’s capital, there are vibrant offers in cultural events during the summer, especially in August.
Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival is part of the most important summer events in Scotland and the whole United Kingdom.
Founded after the second world war, it’s inviting artists and audience to a world-class festival.
Over the year, it has become a significant Scottish capital’s cultural and social event.
What is Edinburgh International Festival About?
It is an event where you find dance, film, music, opera, talks & workshops and theatre at 17 different venues.
You can visit King’s Theatre, The Hub, Usher Hall, The Queen’s Hall, or let’s say, Edinburgh College of Art.
The festival starts with a grand opening ceremony, followed by the Hebrides Ensemble, taking place in the Queen’s Hall the day after.
The event ends on one of the last days of August, with spectacular closure – The Virgin Fireworks Concert – that will perform Debussy’s Ecossaise or Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries.
The festival also has facilities for deaf and hard hearing, and visually impaired people.
Places to stay and hotel tips
Cheval Old Town Chambers is an apartment hotel with style, located in the central location in Edinburgh.
Just a 2-minute walk from the Waverley railway station and 5 minutes from Edinburgh castle.
Its apartments are luxurious and modern and with free WiFi.
They range in size, and there are the ones with a fully fitted kitchen and dining area, luxury bathrooms, and some with stunning scenic views of the city, TV and sound systems.
Its position is the best feature of this beautiful hotel, as in every moment you’re in the middle of the best restaurants, shops and bars that Edinburgh is offering.
If you want to spend your time in Edinburgh in style, spend it in the Old Town Chambers on the Royal Mile.
More Festivals in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay New Years Celebration
In recent years Edinburgh has become famous for its New Years Eve fireworks displays.
Hundreds of thousand spectators crowd into Princes Street to watch the display from the castle.
The celebration is a three days long party of spectacular events.
Bands, Shetland Vikings, choral singing in St Giles’ Cathedral, Scottish music in the Old Town, and the great fireworks at NYE.
Website: https://www.edinburghshogmanay.com
Edinburgh Mela
Edinburgh Mela is Scotland’s biggest celebration of world music and dance.
A great culture festival with both national and international artists.
Website: edinburgh-mela.co.uk
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
One of the worlds largest arts festival with thousands of performers at hundreds of stages in Edinburgh.
Shows for any taste from well-known artists to unknown names in the entertainment industry.
Website: edfringe.com
Edinburgh Art Festival
Website: edinburghartfestival.com
More about Edinburgh and what to see and do
Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, built on the top of Castle Rock, an Iron Age settlement. The Castle is Scotland’s most-visited paid tourist attraction, with over 1.2 million visitors per year. It contains Edinburgh’s oldest building in the 12th century, St. Margaret’s chapel. From the 17th century, it was used as an army garrison, and the British Army is still responsible for many parts. On the south side of the castle’s east is the Royal Mile, the main street of the old town, which runs from the castle to Holyrood Palace, the official Scottish residence of the British monarchy, and open daily from 09.30. On the northern side of the castle is Princes Street. It’s 1.6 kilometres with many famous High Street shops and banks on its north side. Victorian gardens is on its southern side with fantastic views of the castle. Opening and closing time varies seasonally, so check their website for details.Edinburgh Castle
More attractions
There are many attractions to visit, including the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland, situated beside the Princes Street Gardens.
Edinburgh Zoo lies to the west of the city centre.
Getting to Edinburgh
By Air
Edinburgh is the Scottish capital city, well connected with cities from Europe and cities worldwide.
Its international airport lies 12 km to the west.
Train
There are two railway stations in the centre, with Waverley’s central station, located on Princes Street on the East Coast route from London.
Frequent trains go from London, Manchester and many other cities.
By car
There is a good network of motorways leading to the city, but parking space is very limited in the centre.
Buy a Day Bus Pass if you want to make many journeys, but there is also an excellent taxi service with the black cabs showing an orange light when available for hire.
Most tour agencies suggest walking the city, as with its charming and fantastic architecture, it’s perfect for it.