Edinburgh International Festival
In the great festival city.
4 – 27 August 2023
Basic Information
When: 4 – 27 August 2023
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 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 United Kingdom.
Founded after the second world war, it’s inviting artists and audiences 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 venues.
You can visit King’s Theatre, The Hub, Usher Hall, and The Queen’s Hall – 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, 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
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 4 – 26 August 2023
During August, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held, featuring military displays, music, and marching.
Edinburgh International Festival, 4 – 27 August 2023
Edinburgh International Festival, one of the most important summer events in Scotland. Most Edinburgh festivals are in August. Check them out
Edinburgh Food Festival, 4 – 6 August 2023
Edinburgh once again hosts this three-day culinary food festival in August: The month of festivals in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival, 14 – 23 July 2023
Enjoy blues and jazz at the Edinburgh jazz festival in July, held in Edinburgh's many pubs as venues.
Let’s Rock Scotland, Dalkeith Country Park, Saturday 24 June 2023
Let's Rock Scotland with good old famous artists. A Saturday with Retro Pop and Rock in Dalkeith, near 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
Edinburgh Castle
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 annually.
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 are on its southern side, with fantastic castle views.
Opening and closing time varies seasonally, so check their website for details.
More Attractions
There are many attractions, including the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland, 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
Two railway stations are 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
A good network of motorways leads 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 its charming and fantastic architecture is perfect for it.
Sightseeings, Tours and more to do in Edinburgh
More from United Kingdom
La Linea, London Latin Music Festival, 12 – 22 April 2024
La Linea Festival London is a Latin music festival taking place at locations across central London at the end of April.
Beltane Fire Festival Edinburgh, Every Year on 30 April
Beltane Fire Festival is a modern reinterpretation of an ancient Celtic festival marking the changing seasons and the natural life cycle.
London Coffee Festival, 11 – 14 April 2024
Around 250 coffee and gourmet stalls at the London Coffee Festival. Demonstrations, tastings, coffee cocktails, live music and more.
Blenheim Palace Food Festival. Woodstock, UK. 25 – 27 May 2024
Cookery schools and chefs compete to serve up delicious dishes to be enjoyed at Blenheim Palace. A beautiful food festival in Oxfordshire, UK
Brighton Food Festival, 4 – 6 May 2024
Brighton Food Festival is one of the Foodies Festivals held across the UK. This festival is all about food creativity, positivism, and fun.
Vegfest UK at Olympia Grand, London, 18 – 19 November 2023
The Vegfest UK, a major vegetarian event, is taking place in London this November. Attendees can learn about vegetarian food and more.
Lincoln, UK – Historic attractions and a beautiful Christmas Market
Lincoln with one of the oldest traditional Christmas markets in the UK. Within the historical area, it gives a magical old-history feeling.
Leeds Music Festivall in Bramham Park, UK. 25 – 27 August 2023
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Reading Multi Genre Music Festival, 25 – 27 August 2023
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England’s Medieval Festival, 26 – 28 August 2023
England’s Medieval Festival - a magical medieval experience held in Pippingford, East Sussex, UK.
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