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Edinburgh's festival season is here: Everything on offer if you're planning a last minute trip

Published Aug 05, 2022

Festival season has officially arrived in Edinburgh, but it's not too late to join in the fun and festivities.

Every day we're proud to welcome thousands of visitors to our wonderful capital city, and throughout the month of August many of those will be in town to take in some of the best comedy, art, theatre and music.

Whether you've long had your festival adventure planned out, or you're looking for a last minute trip to the capital, here's some of the fantastic entertainment on offer throughout the month.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

From comedy and spoken word to dance and circus, the Fringe has a bit of everything.

This legendary festival is open to performers from all across the world, with household names and up and coming acts showcasing their talents night after night.

For three weeks in August Edinburgh is transformed into one huge festival venue with hundreds of stages hosting shows for the three weeks of the Fringe, running from August 5 to August 29.

Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for more.

Edinburgh International Festival

Taking place between August 5 and August 28, the Edinburgh International Festival welcomes a host of world-renowned performers to some of the city's finest venues and theatres - from the Usher Hall to BT Murrayfield.

Expect classical music, theatre, opera and much more, with affordable international culture brought to Edinburgh's audiences throughout this festival.

The acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra will perform four shows during August, including a 'Thank You' to the people of Edinburgh which will take place in Princes Street Gardens and is free to attend.

More information on the Edinburgh International Festival website.

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Edinburgh International Film Festival

Anyone with a passion for cinema will be in their element here. Much of the focus is on showcasing high-quality, thought-provoking work which is rich in artistic quality.

Along with a focus on experimental cinema, shorts and documentaries, several high profile films have premiered at the festival in recent years - Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Taxi Driver, The Usual Suspects and The Hurt Locker to name but a few.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from August 12 to August 20. More information can be found here.

Edinburgh Art Festival

This festival brings together some of the city's best galleries, museums and artist-run spaces for a fantastic summer celebration.

Along with featuring the work of established artists, it's also a chance for some talented newcomers to make a name for themselves, and reach new audiences. Many of the exhibitions, performances, and events are free to attend.

The festival runs from 28 July to 28 August. For more information visit the Edinburgh Art Festival website here.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

This iconic event needs little introduction, and is without question a highlight of Edinburgh's summer.

The Edinburgh Tattoo celebrates the skills of military bands from across the globe with music, dance and amazing artistry. Each year the event, which takes place in the stunning surroundings of Edinburgh Castle, has a different theme, with 2022 based on the 'collective power and connection of voice'.

The event will run from August 5 to August 27. Further information can be found on the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo website.

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Edinburgh International Book Festival

Packed full of author talks, creative writing workshops, and book signing events, this is the place to be if you love your written literature.

For the 2022 festival there will be 550 authors in attendance to share their stories from the festival's base at the Edinburgh College of Art in the Old Town. Around 200 events will also be live streamed for audiences to watch from home.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from August 13 to August 29, and you can find out more on the official website here.

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