Edinburgh Festivals 2024: Your guide to all of Edinburgh’s August festivals with dates, tickets & highlights
With so many festivals taking place in Edinburgh this August, here is everything you need to know about each of them - in one place.
August is set to be a big month for Edinburgh, with a number of different festivals taking place in the city.
From the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the Edinburgh International Festival – both of which celebrate their 77th anniversary this year – it’s easy for visitors to become overwhelmed by the sheer variety of events on offer.
Here we break down each festival taking place in August, what you can expect, ticket prices, plans and more.
All Edinburgh Festivals August 2024
At a glance, here are the dates of all the festivals taking place in Edinburgh this August.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe: 2 – 26 August
- Edinburgh International Festival: 2 – 25 August
- Edinburgh International Film Festival: 15 – 21 August
- Edinburgh International Book Festival: 10 – 25 August
- Edinburgh Art Festival: 9 – 25 August
- Edinburgh Foodies Festival: 2 – 4 August
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: 2 – 24 August
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is Scotland’s biggest cultural event and the largest performance arts festival in the world.
Running for three weeks every August, the Fringe first took place in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival. It began as an act of rebellion, when several theatre companies arrived in the city and staged their own shows - despite not being invited by event organisers.
In the years since the Edinburgh Fringe has become its own beast, even helping to launch the careers of stars such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge who premiered her one woman show Fleabag during the 2017 Fringe, and Richard Gadd whose show Baby Reindeer became a Netflix sensation.
Edinburgh Fringe 2024 dates
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place from Friday, August 2 – Monday, August 26, though there are often preview performances in the week prior to the event.
Published by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, a thick programme containing most of this year’s shows and timings will be available throughout the festival. In addition, all shows are also listed online and on the app.
Edinburgh Fringe venues
There are more than 3,000 productions in the 2024 Fringe programme, with around 280 venues across Edinburgh playing host.
Venues range from art galleries and bars, to theatres and even churches. Some of the biggest Edinburgh Fringe venues are The Assembly, The Pleasance, The Underbelly, The Gilded Balloon, The Monkey Barrel and The Stand.
How to book 2024 Fringe tickets
No matter which Edinburgh Fringe show you’re looking to see, you can purchase tickets through the Fringe website or via the EdFringe app.
You can also book tickets over the phone by calling +44 (0)131 226 0000 or they can be purchased in person at the Fringe Box Office. Located at 180 High Street, it will be open from Monday to Saturday in July, and every day in August, from from 10am to 6pm.
The box office also operates the Half Price Hut, where hundreds of half-price tickets for shows taking place on the same day or the morning after will be available.
All 2024 Fringe shows are e-ticketed which means that once you’ve booked you will receive an email with a QR code ticket. These can be found in the “My Tickets” section of the official app and you can add them to your Apple or Google Wallet.
Edinburgh Fringe ticket prices
There is a huge variety of tickets on offer as part of the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with just as much variation in ticket prices.
The cheapest shows on offer at the Edinburgh Fringe will be those which are free, with others operating a “pay-what-you-want” model which can see a token amount being charged at the point of purchase.
There are also Fringe ticket schemes such as 2for1 day - available on Monday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 6 - group discounts and family tickets.
For many performances concession tickets will be available for students, the registered unemployed, customers with disabilities, senior citizens (65+) and children under the age of 18.
Wondering what to check out at this year's Fringe? Here are just some suggestions...
Looking for some comedy? Try Sarah Keyworth’s show 'My Eyes Are Up Here' which won the award for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Or perhaps you’re after something a bit more serious. If that’s the case, ‘The Ballad of Truman Capote’ could be for you. The first ever play by award-winning author Andrew O’Hagan, it follows the titular American writer’s night at the famous Black and White Ball in New York City.
If you’re looking for something to match Edinburgh’s rather spooky reputation, immersive experience ‘Arcade’ by Theatremakers Darkfield may be what you’re after.
There are also a number of big name stars, including Miriam Margolyes, who will be performing.
Edinburgh International Festival
The original event which established the capital as the world’s festival city, Edinburgh International Festival was first held in 1947. Founded by Rudolf Bing, a Jewish refugee of the Nazi regime, it brings together artists and performers of everything from opera and music to theatre and dance.
The iconic cultural event also runs for three weeks each year, with director Nicola Benedetti bringing together a programme of more than 160 events for the 2024 festival.
Edinburgh International Festival 2024 dates
The 2024 Edinburgh International Festival will take place from Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 25. Once again, there are often a few preview events before the official festival launch.
Edinburgh International Festival venues
Edinburgh International Festival will take place across 12 venues in the city.
This includes Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, Festival Theatre, The Hub, The Lyceum, The Queen's Hall, The Studio, Usher Hall, Scottish Parliament, National Museum of Scotland, St Giles’ Cathedral and George Heriot's.
How to book tickets
Edinburgh International Festival tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person. The full selection of shows is available online and can be booked directly from the listing, with dates and times listed toward the bottom of the page.
If you would rather book over the phone, lines are currently open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 4pm. Opening hours will extend until Sunday from 10am to 8pm during August.
To purchase tickets in person visit the Edinburgh International Festival Hub at the top of the Royal Mile, which is open Monday through Saturday from 11am.
Edinburgh International Festival ticket prices
Ticket prices for the Edinburgh International Festival vary from performance to performance. However, organisers have introduced affordability options to ensure that cost isn’t “a barrier to cultural discovery”.
As such, £10 affordable tickets are available for every event on a trust basis. Organisers ask that only those who truly cannot afford tickets otherwise use this scheme.
There are also £10 on the day tickets on offer to low-income benefit recipients, students, under 26s, arts workers and D/deaf and disabled people.
Concession tickets will be available at a 50% discount, while free tickets can be booked for essential companions. There is also a 20% multibuy discount for those interested in seeing one or more qualifying performances.
In an effort to encourage more young people to attend the International Festival, the Young Musician’s Pass is now available. This allows Scottish musicians and singers aged 8-18 to sign up and book a pair of free tickets for up to three concerts.
The Edinburgh International Festival has also partnered with Tickets for Good to donate tickets to NHS staff, charity workers and low income benefit recipients.
Here are just some stand-out shows from this year's Edinburgh International Festival programme.
David Ireland will bring his new play ‘The Fifth Step’ to this year’s line-up. Starring ‘Slow Horses’ actor Jack Lowden as a recent Alcoholics Anonymous recruit, it is described as “grimly comic”.
The first ever Edinburgh International Festival event to be staged at George Heriot’s School, ‘Where to Begin’ will bring together elements of performance, music and storytelling as well as fire and video projections.
Classical music fans can enjoy Mahler's Fifth Symphony as part of this year’s programme. Performed by Manchester-based Hallé Orchestra, it will be the swansong of conductor Sir Mark Elder after his 24 year tenure as music director.
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Also first having been launched in 1947, the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is among the world’s oldest film festivals. Following a period of financial problems and a scaled back programme last year, EIFF organisers have “rebooted” the festival for 2024.
Forging alliances with the Edinburgh Fringe, the EIFF traditionally showcases films from around the world and this year it will also play host to several premieres. In addition, the 2024 film festival will also introduce new awards such as the Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, which includes a £50,000 prize, backed by the legendary actor’s family.
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024 dates
The 2024 edition of Edinburgh International Film Festival will take place from Thursday, August 15 – Wednesday, August 21.
EIFF venues
The main Edinburgh International Film Festival hub will be at the historic Cameo cinema, with other venues including Summerhall, Edinburgh University’s Inspace building on Crichton Street, The Assembly’s Fringe venues at 50 George Square and Tollcross Central Hall.
How to book tickets
Tickets for Edinburgh International Film Festival screenings and events are available online from the EIFF website, as well as the Edinburgh Fringe website and app and venue websites such as The Assembly and Summerhall.
EIFF tickets can also be found in person at the EdFringe Box Office, Assembly Festival Box Offices and the official EIFF Box Offices.
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024 ticket prices
Edinburgh International Film Festival ticket prices vary, with a number of options available - though for all of these, essential companions go free.
For most EIFF screenings across the Cameo, Inspace, Summerhall and 50 George Square standard tickets are £11 while concessions cost £8.
For Spotlight events, which cover the opening and closing nights as well as Cameo screenings with introductions or Q&As, standard tickets are priced at £14 and concessions at £11.
There are also “pay what you can tickets” which can be purchased for either £3 or £6, and are available for some screenings throughout the festival.
Some free tickets to screenings will also be available through EdFringe’s Community Ticketing Initiative (CTI), which provides those living in and around Edinburgh the opportunity to attend where they may not have been able to before.
Whether you're looking to see some unique international films or those from closer to home, here are just some highlights from this year's EIFF.
The UK premiere of ‘The Outrun’ will open this year’s EIFF. The drama, which is based on Orcadian writer Amy Liptrot's acclaimed memoir, stars Irish-American actress Saoirse Ronan who is known for her roles in films such as ‘Ladybird’, ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Little Women’.
The latest instalment in the ‘Alien’ franchise is also set to have its UK premiere at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival. Following in the footsteps of the original film, which had its UK premiere at EIFF in 1979, ‘Alien: Romulus’ will be screened on August 15.
EIFF will also host the world premiere of ‘The Radleys’. Based on the novel by Matt Haig and adapted by comedian Jo Brand and writer Talitha Stevenson, the dark comedy stars Kelly Macdonald and Damian Lewis.
Members of Sir Sean Connery’a family will present a special screening of ‘The Untouchables’. Released in 1987, Sir Sean won an Oscar for his role in the classic gangland thriller.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival was first held in one tent in 1983 in just one tent. In the years since it has grown from strength to strength, eventually becoming an annual celebration of literature in 1997.
Each year the festival invites authors, journalists, politicians and other famous faces to discuss books - their own or others’ - with on stage conversations, workshops, masterclasses and more.
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2024 dates
The 2024 Edinburgh International Book Festival will run from Saturday, August 10 – Sunday, August 25.
Venues
For the first time in 2024, the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be held in the Edinburgh Futures Institute, the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, which is now an innovation, education and research hub created by Edinburgh University. In the heart of the Old Town, the old hospital building is on Lauriston Place with the main entrance located at 1 Porters Walk.
Events will also be held at McEwan Hall on Teviot Place and Elliott’s Studio which can be found across the Meadows at 21 Sciennes Road.
In addition, there will be pop up food and drink spots in The Courtyard as well as an on-site bookshop run by Waterstones.
How to book tickets
If you’re just looking to feel out the festival and perhaps see what the new venue is like, there’s no need to book tickets as it is free to attend. However, if you’re looking to attend a specific event, tickets must be booked in advance.
Edinburgh International Book Festival tickets can be purchased on their website, just pick which event you would like to attend and select book tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at 0345 373 5888, though organisers ask that you call this number only if you cannot book online. You can also buy tickets in person at the Box Office which is located in The Courtyard at Edinburgh Futures Institute. It will be open daily from 9.30am to 8.45pm after Saturday, August 10.
If you’re interested in an online only event, you must still book your slot through the website.
Edinburgh International Book Festival ticket prices
While the Edinburgh International Book Festival is free to attend, events and panels are ticketed are prices will vary. That being said, there are several ticket options.
Reduced ticket prices will be available for concessions - those over 60, students, under-26s, registered unemployed and disabled visitors - with over 60 tickets priced at £13.50 unless stated otherwise and tickets for under-18s costing £6 (or £7.50 for Alice Oseman’s event).
There are also “Pay What You Can” tickets available for some in person events and all of the book festival’s livestreamed events.
There's something for everyone at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival, but in case you need some guidance...
There are several big name authors who will be in attendance including Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson, who will mark the 40th anniversary of their cabaret double act performance at the Fringe in conversation with Jackie Kay.
For younger audiences, ‘Heartstopper’ author Alice Oseman will be in attendance for a discussion with Lauren James.
And for fans of crime and mystery novels, why not catch Richard Osman in conversation with Ian Rankin? While not the only panel Rankin will participate in, you can join the pair as Osman launches his new series.
Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024. Founded in 2004, it is the UK’s largest annual festival of visual arts and it showcases local artists as well as working with those from around the world to present a programme packed with exhibitions, events and projects across the city.
Taking place across three weeks, there will be everything from choreographed performances to panel discussions and more during the 2024 EAF.
Edinburgh Art Festival 2024 dates
Edinburgh Art Festival will take place Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 25.
EAF 2024 venues
While the main home of EAF is the City Art Centre in the Old Town, there are more than 30 venues involved in the 2024 festival.
Other EAF locations include Jupiter Artland - which will play host to the Jupiter Rising day festival - as well as Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh College of Art, the National Gallery and many more.
How to book tickets
If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, you can do so through Edinburgh Art Festival’s website.
Some items on the programme are completely free with no tickets required, while others are ticketed drop-in events.
Edinburgh Art Festival ticket prices
There are several ticket options for Edinburgh Art Festival, starting with the Festival Pass which costs £75.
The Festival Pass is a one time purchase which allows you access to all EAF-hosted events though you will still need to reserve tickets due to capacity limits. It does not apply to any events which are run by Edinburgh International Book Festival and EAF together, though it will allow you to save around 40% over booking individually.
Meanwhile, standard Edinburgh Art Festival ticket prices are capped at £15.50. There are also discounted access tickets which are available to those who may experience additional obstacles to participating in the arts, which will typically cost around £8 or less.
EAF is also offering the £20-for-20th Birthday Solidarity Ticket which allows patrons to pay it forward with a donation included in their ticket price.
Celebrating its 20th birthday, here are just some EAF highlights.
Check out ‘Karol Radziszewski: Filo’, which is a collection of rare photographs and ephemera of Filo Magazine - one of the first underground queer magazines in Central-Eastern Europe. This curated exhibition will be available throughout the festival and will be accompanied by ‘Karol Radziszewski: In Conversation’, which sees curator Radziszewski discuss the project.
Set in the iconic Jupiter Artland, ‘Jupiter Rising x EAF’ is well worth grabbing a ticket for. The day festival line-up includes curator and writer Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Glasgow-based performance artist Sgàire Wood and Edinburgh-based club night collective Femmergy.
Explore Scottish history with ‘Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from Scotland’s Mining Communities’. Forty years on from when American photographer Milton Rogovin photographer Scottish miners, artist Nicky Bird has updated Rogovin’s documentation which can be found in the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.
Edinburgh Foodies Festival
A much shorter event, the 2024 Edinburgh Foodies Festival is a celebration of all things food.
Taking place across three days, there will be live music from acts such as Blue and Peter Andre, discussions and cooking demonstrations from guests including MasterChef contestants and Great British Bake Off winners and more.
Edinburgh Foodies Festival dates
The 2024 Edinburgh Foodies Festival will take place from Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4.
Venue
The 2024 Edinburgh Foodies Festival will take place at Inverleith Park.
How to book tickets
Tickets can be purchased through the festival’s website.
Edinburgh Foodies Festival tickets
If you’re looking to attend the entire Edinburgh Foodies Festival weekend, you can expect to pay £43 for a three-day adult ticket, £38 for a concession, £14 for a young adult ticket and £8 for a child. VIP three day tickets cost £124 and there are also family tickets available which start at £92.
Meanwhile, day tickets will cost £21 for adults, £19 for concessions, £8 for young adults and £4 for children.
Here is a snack-sized list of highlights from this year's Foodies Festival.
Expect music from Peter Andre and Blue across the weekend. As well as featuring all things food, attendees can enjoy live music from some nostalgic names.
Hear top baking tips from experts including Great British Bake Off winner Matty Edgell. The Pots & Co Cake & Dessert Theatre will play host to a number of experts to help you soak up baking knowledge.
Enjoy plenty of wine across tasting sessions. Experts at the 7UP Drinks Theatre will take you on an international journey with wine throughout the weekend.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
First taking place at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual show with performances from the British Armed Forces as well as international military and cultural bands.
From humble beginnings, it is now one of Scotland’s most high profile cultural events which celebrates British Military, Scottish heritage and international culture with an impressive display which includes cutting edge lighting and sound technology.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with the Royal Navy at the helm of 2024 show Journeys.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024 dates
The 2024 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will run from Friday, August 2 – Saturday, August 24. Shows will take place at 9.30pm from Monday to Friday, with an additional 6.15pm performance each Saturday.
Venue
While the first ever event may have had a more humble backdrop, ever since it has been held at Edinburgh Castle.
How to book tickets
Tickets for the 2024 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo can be booked via the event’s website.
You will receive e-tickets for the event to your email which can be accessed through the Tattoo Tix app on the Apple App Store or from the Google Play store.
However, you can also request that tickets be sent through the post.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket prices
Ticket prices for the 2024 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo range from £35 to £1,000.
For standard Edinburgh Tattoo tickets, prices start at £40 per person on weeknights rising to £118, depending on seating.
Meanwhile, standard ticket prices for the early Saturday performances range from £35 to £108. For the later Saturday show, standard tickets start at £42.50 going up to £124.
In addition, if you hold a valid ticket for any of the shows you can also purchase a Backstage Tour ticket for £100.
These ticket prices exclude hospitality packages, such as the Dram Package or the Castle Package, which include an experience alongside the ticket and can cost anywhere from £158 to £970.
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