Edinburgh Festival Guide

Edinburgh Festival listings

Sorted by popularity / rating / date.

From Death to Death and Other Small Tales: Masterpieces from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the D.Daskalopoulos Collection

From Death to Death and Other Small Tales brings together works from the D.Daskalopoulos Collection, one of the most important private collections of modern and contemporary art, with major works from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This innovative exhibition comprises approximately 130 works and creates a…

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, Edinburgh

Mon 20 May

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Tue 21 May

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Wed 22 May

Free / 0131 624 6200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 109 more dates

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience

Basil, Sybil and Manuel open for their sixth Fringe. Always a sell-out, only a third of the show is scripted, so everything stays fresh. ‘Best comedy show I've ever seen' (Sunday Express)

B'est, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£46.50 / 0131 556 4448

Fri 2 Aug

£43 / 0131 556 4448

Sun 4 Aug

£43 / 0131 556 4448

…and 20 more dates

Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales

  • 3 stars

Brand new show from award-winning Scamp Theatre (Stick Man). Adapted from the bestselling books written by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo). A magical collection of Julia Donaldson’s most popular titles including Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town and A…

Underbelly Bristo Square, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£6 / 08445 458252

Preview

Fri 2 Aug

£11 (£10) / 08445 458252

Sat 3 Aug

£10 (£9) / 08445 458252

…and 22 more dates

Amazing Amber

Amber is beautiful as well as fascinating. It consists of fossilised tree resin, and since resin in liquid form is sticky, and amber is transparent, this means that insects, animals and plant material sometimes get trapped in it and are preserved intact, giving us a glimpse of life millions of years ago. The whole process…

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Mon 20 May

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Tue 21 May

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00

Wed 22 May

Free / 0300 123 6789

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 17:00
…and 109 more dates

Blueflint

Lady banjo players extraordinaire tour their bluegrass ballads.

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Fri 16 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 346 8237

Sat 17 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 346 8237

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Catastrophe/Rough for Theatre II/Breath

Beckett on Film: Catastrophe: Directed by David Mamet and starring Harold Pinter, Rebecca Pidgeon and John Gielgud. Rough for Theatre II: Directed by Katie Mitchell and starring Jim Norton, Timothy Spall and Hugh B O’Brien. Breath: Directed by Damien †Hirst.

The Hub, Edinburgh

Sat 31 Aug

£4 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Beckett on Film.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man

He is renowned as one of the finest artists of the Renaissance – but Leonardo da Vinci was also one of the greatest anatomists the world has ever seen. Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man explores the artist’s groundbreaking work in anatomy. His studies of the human body are presented alongside state-of-the-art modern…

The Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh

Fri 9 Aug

£5.70–£6.25 (£3.15) / 0131 473 2000

Sat 10 Aug

£5.70–£6.25 (£3.15) / 0131 473 2000

Sun 11 Aug

£5.70–£6.25 (£3.15) / 0131 473 2000

…and 21 more dates

Maddy's Many Mouths

Maddy’s Many Mouths is the hilariously surreal story of a woman with a compulsion to mimic strangers. Gliding through an unbelievable array of characters, Maddy embarks on a riotous quest to find out who she really is.

theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£5 (£3.50) / 0845 508 8515

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£5 (£3.50) / 0845 508 8515

Preview

Mon 5 Aug

£7 (£5.50) / 0845 508 8515

2 for 1

…and 5 more dates

Virgin Money Fireworks Concert (Ross Theatre)

Join the city of Edinburgh in a celebration of summer festivals, inspirational music and breathtaking pyrotechnics as the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival to a resplendent conclusion. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh’s iconic Castle, the evening brings together…

Ross Theatre Bandstand, Edinburgh

Sun 1 Sep

£27.50 / 0131 473 2000

Andreas Scholl, Tamar Halperin

German singer Andreas Scholl is one of classical music’s superstars, and has introduced countless listeners to the irresistible beauty of his countertenor voice. His acclaimed performances match exquisite grace in his singing with a charismatic stage presence, packed full of passion and an arresting freedom of expression.

The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

Thu 29 Aug

£8–£29 / 0131 473 2000

Part of The Queen's Hall Series.

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Ed Byrne: Roaring Forties

Observational humour from the Dublin-stand-up and actor about reaching middle age.

Venue 150 @ EICC, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£19.50 / 0844 847 1639

Sat 3 Aug

£19.50 / 0844 847 1639

Sun 4 Aug

£17.50 / 0844 847 1639

…and 19 more dates

Edinburgh: Festival City

Composer Tod Machover, conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra take us through the creation of a new piece of music celebrating the City of Edinburgh and its Festival and co-created by members of the public.

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Tue 27 Aug

£6 / 0131 473 2000

Fauré Requiem

A concert of warmth and lyricism that draws on the refined playing for which the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is renowned. Principal conductor Robin Ticciati is joined by the remarkable National Youth Choir of Scotland and two exceptional solo vocal talents. Sir Thomas Allen is one of Britain’s best-loved singers…

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Sat 17 Aug

£12–£42 / 0131 473 2000

Movements: Brian Eno

Music since recording is a new art form, which bears only as much resemblance to traditional, performed music as cinema does to theatre. What are the special characteristics of this new art? How did it evolve? Where might it be going? Brian Eno shares his thoughts.

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Fri 23 Aug

£6 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Movements.

Pure Brass

Bach to Berio, Lutoslawski to Puttin’ on the Ritz performed by Iain Archibald and Andrew Connell-Smith (trumpet), Martin Murphy (horn), Gordon Seith (trombone) and Fraser Russell (tuba).

The Hub, Edinburgh

Mon 12 Aug

£10 / 0131 473 2000

Part of Cafe Concerts.

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The Graveyard Slot

A spooky, silly radio play live onstage! Hecate return to the Fringe with a feast of fun and fright, featuring six actors, original music and a smorgasbord of silly voices. ‘Very funny, very intriguing’ ★★★★ (RemoteGoat.co.uk).

theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

£7.50 (£6) / 0845 508 8515

Preview

Mon 5 Aug

£9 (£7.50) / 0845 508 8515

2 for 1

Tue 6 Aug

£9 (£7.50) / 0845 508 8515

2 for 1

…and 10 more dates

Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

The cult Australian comedian, not for the faint of heart, brings another show brimming in foul-mouthed rants and questionable taste to the Fringe.

The Stand, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

Sat 3 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

Sun 4 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

…and 18 more dates

Foodies Festival

Michelin starred and award-winning chefs cook up a storm at this year's festival dedicated to epicureans, as well as offerings from local producers and workshops for food lovers young and old.

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

Fri 9 Aug

Times & prices to be confirmed / 0871 230 5573

Sat 10 Aug

Times & prices to be confirmed / 0871 230 5573

Sun 11 Aug

Times & prices to be confirmed / 0871 230 5573

Paul Reid: New Paintings

The poetic narratives of Ovid have inspired painters since the Renaissance, but the paintings of Paul Reid uniquely focus on incidental details and precursory moments from these classical myths, creating curious, enigmatic and sometimes disquieting images. The technical skill and allusions to classicism in Reid’s…

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 16:00

Mon 5 Aug

Free / 0131 558 1200

Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

  • 10:00 – 18:00
…and 26 more dates

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre: In Space

Songs, sketches, falsetto and violence, laced with a sci-fi theme from the ever popular Sock Puppets.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

Thu 1 Aug

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

Fri 2 Aug

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

…and 21 more dates back to top

Amused Moose Comedy Awards Showcase

Grab your top tickets to talent-spot this year's stellar crop of industry approved breakthrough comedians, plus some who are already rather famous! Every showcase is different, so keep coming back.

Just the Tonic, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

£8 / 0131 556 5375

Sun 4 Aug

£8 / 0131 556 5375

Wed 7 Aug

£7 / 0131 556 5375

…and 13 more dates

Metamorphosis

World Premiere: Travelling salesman and sole breadwinner for his family, Gregor Samsa awakes one day to discover that he has been transformed into a giant insect. Unable to communicate and shocking to anyone who sees him, he is forced into a solitary existence confined to his room. As he becomes insufferable to himself…

King's Theatre, Edinburgh

Sat 10 Aug

£12–£30 / 0131 473 2000

Sun 11 Aug

£12–£30 / 0131 473 2000

Mon 12 Aug

£12–£30 / 0131 473 2000

Signs of Our Occupy

A political play based on actual signs created in and for the Occupy Oakland movement. Riveting theatre from the voice of Oakland's youth, sharing their commentary from all points of view during this politically charged movement.

theSpace @ Venue45, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£5.50 (£3.50) / 0845 508 8378

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£5.50 (£3.50) / 0845 508 8378

Preview

Mon 5 Aug

£7.50 (£5.50) / 0845 508 8378

2 for 1

…and 5 more dates

The Writers' Group

A new one-act play by Sian Williams. ‘She's taken all my ideas!’ ‘Your ideas?’ Celia is strapped for cash. Angie has a burning ambition. Phil is down but, funnily, not out and Peter wants a quiet life…

theSpaces on the Mile, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£5 / 0845 508 8316

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£5 / 0845 508 8316

Preview

Mon 5 Aug

£8 (£6) / 0845 508 8316

2 for 1

…and 5 more dates

Father Christmas Needs a Wee! The Musical

When Father Christmas finishes his rounds he realises that he's forgotten to do something rather important and he really needs a WEE! A brilliantly bouncy musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan's much loved book.

theSpace @ Venue45, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£5 / 0845 508 8378

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£5 / 0845 508 8378

Preview

Mon 5 Aug

£7 (£6) / 0845 508 8378

…and 17 more dates back to top