Edinburgh Festivals August Guide

What festivals take place in August?

August is by far the busiest month at the Edinburgh Festivals. 11 major festivals take place throughout the year, with 6 of them being held during August. They are:

• Edinburgh Festival Fringe (7 - 31 August)
• Edinburgh International Festival (7 - 30 August)
• The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (7 - 29 August)
• Edinburgh Art Festival (14 - 30 August)
• Edinburgh International Book Festival (15 - 30 August)
• Edinburgh Film Festival (13 - 19 August)

So, if you’re visiting during the third and fourth weeks of August, you’ll find five or six festivals running at the same time. Seeing a bit of everything is absolutely possible, but it will take some planning... 

Before we dive into that, here’s what you can expect from the festivals. 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world. Over three weeks, thousands of shows take place in hundreds of venues, from established theatres to pop-up spaces in pubs, basements and even phone boxes!

The Fringe is an open-access arts festival, meaning anyone can perform. This results in an explosion of theatre, comedy, music, dance, cabaret, children's shows, and more. If you can imagine it, then it’s probably in the Fringe programme! It's a fantastic place to discover emerging talent and catch big-name acts trying out new material.

Edinburgh International Festival

First held in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival is a celebration of the performing arts. It welcomes some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre, often featuring unique collaborations, world premieres and new interpretations of classic works.

Created in the aftermath of the Second World War, the festival was founded on the idea of bringing people together through culture and creativity. Today, it remains one of the world’s leading international arts festivals, with a carefully curated programme that places artistic excellence at its core.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular display of military bands, pipers, drummers and dancers from around the globe. 

Each year’s show blends traditional military pageantry with contemporary choreography, storytelling, music and light projections. Every night, the show concludes in a glorious burst of colour and light, as fireworks explode over the castle.

Edinburgh Art Festival

The Edinburgh Art Festival is the UK's largest annual festival of visual art, showcasing a wide range of exhibitions, commissions and events across the city. Its programme spans contemporary art, historic collections and experimental projects, often highlighting both established and emerging artists from Scotland and around the world.

Events take place not only in major galleries like the National Galleries of Scotland and the EAF Pavilion, but also in outdoor spaces, gardens and unexpected corners of the city. Highlights from recent years include exhibitions by renowned artists such as Martin Creed, Callum Iness, Isaac Julien and Shilpa Gupta.

Edinburgh Art Festival

The Edinburgh Art Festival is the UK's largest annual festival of visual art, showcasing a wide range of exhibitions, commissions and events across the city. Its programme spans contemporary art, historic collections and experimental projects, often highlighting both established and emerging artists from Scotland and around the world.

Events take place not only in major galleries like the National Galleries of Scotland and the EAF Pavilion, but also in outdoor spaces, gardens and unexpected corners of the city. Highlights from recent years include exhibitions by renowned artists such as Martin Creed, Callum Iness, Isaac Julien and Shilpa Gupta.

Edinburgh International Film festival

Established in 1947 as the International Festival of Documentary Films, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world's oldest continually running film festival. It's celebrated for discovering and promoting the best in international cinema, showcasing new talent, and debating changes in global filmmaking. 

The festival’s programme features a diverse mix of feature films, documentaries, short films and experimental work, with screenings taking place in historic picture houses and theatres across the city. Besides screenings, audiences can take part in filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, masterclasses and industry events that explore everything from storytelling craft to emerging technology in cinema.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket prices can vary depending on the festival, the type of event, the venue and the level/profile of the performer. 

Fringe: shows can cost anywhere from £5 to around £20, with prices generally topping out around £25. If you’re on a budget or just looking to make your money stretch further, then visit the Half-Price Hut near St. Giles' Cathedral, where discounted tickets are available daily. The Fringe also has hundreds of free or “pay what you can” performances, which are a great way to see acts that might not usually be on your radar. 

International Festival: expect prices to range from £10 to £50+, depending on the seat and the performance. Some events have concessions or under-30 discounts, and the EIF also makes £10 Affordable Tickets available for every event in the programme for those who need them. They also offer free classical concert tickets for young musicians and singers aged 8–18 who live in Scotland.

Royal Military Tattoo: tickets start from around £30, with premium seats going for upwards of £75. Expect to pay at least a couple of hundred pounds if you want to secure the best view from the Royal Gallery. 

Art Festival: the vast majority of the festival is free to attend, with ticketed events or admission to exhibitions costing up to £20. 

Book Festival: there are plenty of free events, while most ticketed events cost between £5 and £15, with discounts available for students and seniors. Family events are often cheaper. 

Film Festival: full price admission for screenings typically costs between £10-£12, while concessions cost between £8-£10.

How far ahead should I book?

If there is something that you really want to see - particularly if it’s a popular show or big name act at the Fringe or International Festival - then it’s best to book tickets as soon as the programme is announced. Demand for the Tattoo is usually extremely high, so the sooner you book the better; tickets usually go on sale 12 months in advance. 

The book Festival operates a queue system on the opening day of ticket sales, so register an account in advance and log on early to avoid disappointment.

How do I book tickets?

The festivals offer online booking for events, and telephone booking services are available for the Fringe, EIF and Book Festival. You can also buy tickets in person at venues and box-offices. 

Details of how to book can be found on the festival website, or by following the links from our festival page.

Where to stay?

As you might expect with six festivals running concurrently, Edinburgh is a popular destination in August! Over 1 million people attend the festivals throughout the month, and places get snapped up fast. If you want to secure a spot in a city centre location, then book ahead. Read our guide on where to stay in Edinburgh for details of the accommodation available and links to providers. 

How to get around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a surprisingly compact city, and for many visitors, walking is the best way to experience the festival atmosphere. You'll stumble upon street performers, pop-up venues and food stalls at every turn, but prepare yourself for hills, cobbles and crowds.

If you’re covering longer distances, or if your feet just need a rest, then you can take advantage of Edinburgh’s extensive tram and bus network, or hop in a taxi. If you are planning to cover a bit of distance between venues, whether you’re on foot or travelling by public transport, then it’s best to give yourself plenty of time.

What to wear?

It's best to be prepared; Edinburgh in August can deliver all four seasons in one day!

• Layers: a t-shirt, a jumper/cardigan, and a light jacket are your best friends.
• Waterproofs: a lightweight, packable rain jacket or a small umbrella is a must.
• Comfortable shoes: you’ll thank us for emphasising this one. You will walk further than you think, and can easily cover a few miles in a day.
• For the Tattoo: dress warmly! Even on a mild day, sitting on the Castle Esplanade for an hour in the evening can get chilly.

If you’re interested in the latest news, or hints and tips about the Edinburgh Festivals, then visit our Inspiration guide. And if you’re visiting in August, check out our section on what’s happening in Edinburgh in summer, where you’ll find all the latest programmes announced for the festivals.