Edinburgh Festival Venues

Edinburgh Castle

Perched majestically atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle towers over the city and serves as a dramatic backdrop to the festivals. The Castle Esplanade hosts the Royal Military Tattoo in August; an iconic annual event featuring ‌military bands, bagpipers and drummers, and culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. 

The castle is also the end point for Edinburgh Hogmanay’s Torchlight Procession. Every year, thousands of people with torches march from The Meadows, winding their way through the Old Town before finishing beneath the castle. 

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This series of streets contains shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions, but becomes one of the must-visit spots in the city during the August festivals. Its cobbled streets turn into an open-air stage for buskers, street performers, living statues, musicians and other artists performing at the Fringe and the International Festival. 

It’s the place to catch free tasters of shows, soak up the energy of the crowds, and feel the true buzz of festival season.

Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens is one of the most famous public parks in Edinburgh. It lies in a valley between the Old Town (with Edinburgh Castle perched above on Castle Rock) and the New Town (with its elegant Georgian architecture and shops along Princes Street). They were created in the 1820s after the old Nor Loch, a body of water once used for defence, was drained and transformed into a public park.

In July, as part of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, it hosts the Edinburgh Carnival. The Carnival features parades, samba bands, brass ensembles, dancers, circus acts, acrobats, drummers and international performers, creating a lively atmosphere that attracts thousands of spectators. Community groups and artists from Edinburgh also take part, marching alongside performers from around the world.

And in December, Concert in the Gardens is one of the hottest tickets in town for Edinburgh's world-famous Hogmanay celebrations. Held at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens, lucky attendees get to watch international music acts perform before an unforgettable firework show welcomes in the new year. Previous headliners include Texas, Pulp, Franz Ferdinand and Simple Minds. 

City Art Centre

The City Art Centre is a nine storey warehouse close to Waverley Station that was converted into a gallery in 1980. Across its six floors, it showcases contemporary and historical art exhibitions featuring works by Scottish and international artists. It’s one of the main venues for the Edinburgh Art Festival, as well as the Edinburgh Science Festival in April, hosting artist talks, workshops and family-friendly activities. 

Dynamic Earth

Dynamic Earth is an interactive science centre and planetarium near Holyrood that takes you on a journey of planet Earth through time and space. During the Science Festival, it hosts interactive exhibitions, hands-on workshops, screenings and talks on topics ranging from climate change to space exploration. 

It also sometimes stages science-themed comedy shows, cabaret and immersive Planetarium shows through the Solar System set to classic rock albums as part of the Fringe.

The Edinburgh Filmhouse

Edinburgh’s cinemas take centre stage during the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). Although there are several venues used during the festival, one of the most well-known is the Filmhouse.

The building began life in the early 19th century as St. Thomas’s Church, a striking sandstone structure on Lothian Road. By the late 20th century, it had fallen out of religious use, opening the door for a new chapter. In 1979, it was transformed into the Filmhouse, becoming the official home of the EIFF. Over the years it has hosted premieres, international films, shorts, documentaries, Q&As, workshops and director talks.

Although the Filmhouse closed its doors in 2022 following the financial collapse of its parent organisation, its story was far from over. A dedicated campaign and significant public support paved the way for it to re-open and once again become a thriving centre for cinema. 

The Queen’s Hall

This beautiful concert hall - a converted Georgian church - is a popular venue for events at the Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. Its intimate setting provides the perfect atmosphere for a variety of musical genres, including classical, folk, rock and jazz. It also hosts comedy and spoken word events. 

The Famous Spiegeltent

Step inside and get immediately transported back to 1920s Europe. The Famous Spiegeltent, a beautifully ornate tent made of wood, mirrors and stained glass, is a firm favourite with Edinburgh festival-goers. Over the years, it’s moved to several locations, including St Andrew Square and George Square Gardens, and it hosts an eclectic mix of live music, cabaret, circus shows, comedy and late-night events.

Collective

Perched at the top of Calton Hill in a heritage observatory, Collective is a contemporary art space that showcases cutting-edge visual art exhibitions, installations and artist-led projects, often exploring themes tied to Edinburgh’s landscape and history. A partner venue for the Edinburgh Art Festival, it also hosts workshops, talks, and performances. 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Gardens is not only a stunning visitor attraction - home to one of the largest plant collections on Earth across its 72 acres of gardens and glasshouses - but also an artistic and scientific venue during the festivals. They often hold events here during the Science Festival, Art Festival, and Fringe, such as outdoor workshops, nature-inspired talks, family-friendly activities focused on botany and environmental science, open-air theatre, storytelling and music performances. 

Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms, an elegant Georgian venue on George Street, is a cornerstone of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival. Its grand halls and intimate spaces cater to both large-scale productions and smaller experimental works from the world of comedy, theatre, music, dance and cabaret. 

Edinburgh Playhouse

The Edinburgh Playhouse, a grand Art Deco building, is the UK’s largest all-seated theatre. Throughout the year, it brings the world's most successful touring musicals, legendary bands, opera, ballets and international comedians to the city, as well as being a flagship venue for the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Festival Theatre

With its striking glass facade, the Festival Theatre is another impressive and beautiful building in Edinburgh. It’s a premier venue for opera, ballet, contemporary dance, theatre productions and musicals. 

National Galleries of Scotland

The National Galleries of Scotland, comprising the National Gallery, Modern One, and Modern Two, are central to the Edinburgh Art Festival. These venues host major exhibitions of contemporary and classical art, showcasing works by Scottish and international artists. Events also include artist talks, guided tours and workshops.

The National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland is one of the country’s most visited attractions, bringing together fascinating collections that span natural history, world cultures, science, technology, design and Scottish heritage. 

During the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, the museum is one of the event’s central hubs, hosting pop-up performances, interactive activities and family-friendly shows, ranging from theatre, dance, storytelling and more.

Edinburgh College of Art

Part of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art is one of eleven schools in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. During the Edinburgh Festivals, especially the Art Festival, International Festival and Fringe, the college transforms its studios, lecture halls and galleries into performance spaces, hosting everything from art exhibitions and installations to avant-garde theatre and contemporary dance.

Edinburgh Futures Institute

The Edinburgh Futures Institute, a department within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, is housed in the former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Home to the Edinburgh International Book Festival, it hosts an exciting mix of author conversations, panel discussions, readings and creative workshops.

Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre, located on the Royal Mile, is dedicated to the art of oral storytelling. Throughout the Scottish Storytelling Festival in autumn, the venue hosts performances, spoken word events, musical performers and workshops, celebrating Scotland’s oral traditions and international narratives. 

The city itself

Beyond the designated venues - of which we’ve covered only a tiny fraction - the city of Edinburgh is a stage in its own right for the festivals. Just walk around Edinburgh during festival season and you’ll find performances taking place on street corners and in parks, pubs, churches, public squares and a host of other places. Everywhere you turn is an opportunity for adventure, or to discover something new. 

Time to plan your festival visit? Check out the full list of festival dates so you can mark your calendar, and don’t forget to explore our Inspiration section for handy guides and tips to make the most of your festival experience.