Edinburgh International Festival

02 June 2023|Read time 3 mins

For more than 70 years, Edinburgh has been the place to be during the month of August.

People from all around the world come to the city for the same reason: the Edinburgh International Festival.

Edinburgh International Festival

Beginning in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival was initially created with the aim of healing the wounds of post-war Europe. 

Nowadays it has certainly moved on from its original goal, with the festival being publicly subsidised and curated performers having to be invited to take part in its always unique lineup.

During the festival's three-week period, people gather around different types of art including music, theatre, opera, dance and visual art exhibitions. 

A fantastic way to bring people from various nations together around common interests, the Edinburgh International Festival provides all sorts of special moments for those present in this beautiful city.

History of Edinburgh International Festival

Since its beginnings in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has welcomed performers from around the globe to perform in our city.

The very first festival welcomed Bruno Walter, one of the greatest 20th-century conductors, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fireworks are a common sight in Edinburgh during the month of August, but the very first fireworks concert took place at Edinburgh Castle in 1950 with a performance of Handel's "Music for Fireworks".

1962, meanwhile, saw the meeting of two of the most famous musical minds of the 20th century, Britten and Shostakovich.

Other famous names came to the Edinburgh International Festival in 1994, with the performance of Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

This play was a collaboration of varying art forms, with the Old Vic Theatre, Sadler's Wells Ballet and the Scottish National Orchestra joining forces.

The festival has also seen innovative spectacles over the years, such as the "Speed of Light" feature in 2012.

In celebration of the London Olympics that year, this event saw runners lining the paths on Arthur's Seat in a fascinating light display.

Where are the Edinburgh International Festival venues?

Performances in the Edinburgh International Festival are held all over the city, including at The Hub, a former church at the top of the Royal Mile.

Other venues include the Royal Highland Showground in Ingliston, just outside of the city centre, and art galleries and community centres in the city itself.

In 2022 the festival introduced its 'At Home' series, allowing people to enjoy fantastic performances from the comfort of their own homes.

The Edinburgh International Festival also runs engagement and learning programmes, including residencies at schools across the city.

Edinburgh Festival Chorus

Each year, over one hundred singers from across Scotland join together to form a key part of the Edinburgh International Festivals' choral programme.

The Edinburgh Festival Chorus, founded in 1965, is an auditioned choir which gives singers the opportunity to perform classical works with world-class musicians and conductors, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Other Edinburgh festivals

The Edinburgh International Festival is one of the highlights of the Edinburgh festival season but by no means the only one. 

Leith Festival in June brings the fun of parades and performances to the port area of Edinburgh, while July sees other musical performances with the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.

Summer is a great time to visit Edinburgh for many more reasons...Enjoy events at many of the city's attractions and soak in the great festival atmosphere!

For more highlights in the Edinburgh calendar head to our guide to what's on throughout the year in our fantastic city!

Book with Reserve Apartments

If this year will be your first visit to Edinburgh during the festival season, don't panic! Read our useful guide for festival first-timers and get ready for a great time.

Remember, if you haven't booked your Festival Accommodation, view our self-catering options to find a luxury apartment during your time here (often at a cheaper rate than a hotel).