Edinburgh International Festival

Founded in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival is an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for peoples of all nations. Committed to virtuosity and originality, the International Festival presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre for three weeks in August - making Scotland’s capital an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for people of all nations.
Over the course of any given year, the International Festival team scour the world in search of the most exciting and creative artists working today. They then create unique collaborations, world premieres, new takes on classic works, critically acclaimed productions and more .....to captivate, thrill and entertain audiences from around the world. All in one place, right here in Scotland's historic capital city - Edinburgh.
What makes it special?
- The Edinburgh International Festival brings Edinburgh’s theatre venues to life with the very best music, theatre, opera and dance from around the globe.
- Since 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has attracted the biggest stars of stage and concert halls, with luminaries ranging from Maria Callas to Sir Ian McKellen, Yehudi Menuhin to Margot Fonteyn, Pavarotti to Nicola Benedetti - the latter of whom is the current Director of the Festival.
- During a normal festival year, exciting performances take place over Edinburgh’s main major theatres and concert halls, a few smaller venues and often some unconventional ones too - with all delivering the highest production standards for our world class artists.