Edinburgh Festivals

What are the Edinburgh Festivals? 

Edinburgh is renowned as the world’s leading festival city with various festivals and events taking place throughout the year, especially during the summer.

Creative talent from across the globe come to Edinburgh to perform at cultural, artistic and entertainment events. 

Edinburgh has a long history as a festival city with the first Edinburgh Festival taking place in 1947. Today, Edinburgh has 11 major festivals throughout the year. 

Whether you love performance arts, jazz music or literature, there’s a festival to suit everyone!

Make the most of Edinburgh Festivals with these top tips:

1. Book accommodation in advance
   Keep in mind whether you want a hotel, holiday let or to consider self-catering in the empty student accommodation in the summer months. Accommodation does book up fast so secure it as soon as possible. 
2. Pack for all weather
   Flyers are a great way to discover shows you otherwise might not hear about or wouldn’t have thought to attend. If you don't want to carry lots of flyers (and you do want to help the environment) simply photograph the flyers that interest you. 
3. Photograph the flyers
   Flyers are a great way to discover shows you otherwise might not hear about, or wouldn’t have thought to attend. If you don't want to carry lots of flyers (and you do want to help the environment) simply photograph the flyers that interest you.
4. Make use of the half price hut and free events
   Festival season doesn’t have to be crazy expensive. Between East and West Princes Street Gardens is the Half Price Hut where you can pick up discount same-day and next-day Fringe tickets. Free events occur all day, every day across the city too. Whether it’s a street performance or part of the Free Fringe, there are plenty of ‘free’ shows and performances throughout the festival. Likewise, the Art and Book Festivals offer plenty to enjoy without paying a penny! 
5. Explore the life around the festival
   Colourful craft fairs showcasing local artists, delicious street food stalls and energetic silent-disco-walking-tours of the city are just a few of the experiences that come as part of festival season in Edinburgh.

Top Travel Tips from Lothian Buses

1. Download the bus and tram app
   Downloading Transport for Edinburgh’s bus and tram app is the easiest way to find out where you’re going and how to get there.
2. Allow time for your journey
   Some services, especially during festival season, can be extremely busy so it is wise to leave some extra time to complete your journey in comfort and with the peace of mind that you won’t be late for your favourite show.
3. Use the correct change on buses (or use contactless!)
   Have the correct fare to hand and please make sure it is the correct amount to avoid overpaying. If you will be a regular on Lothian’s services, tap the same card or mobile payment device each time you board and the next morning you’ll be automatically charged the cheapest adult daily fare for the journeys you’ve made. 
4. Don’t leave your items on public transport
   If you do think you have left an item on board a Lothian service the team will do everything they can to help to reunite you with your belongings. In the first instance and for more information you can visit their website for further information about Lothian Lost Property.
5. Expect the unexpected
   During August it is not at all unusual to catch a bus with a dance troupe, or a comedy act complete with wild and whacky props in hand. Throughout the festival, dogs may not be the only pets accompanying their owners on public transport, so keep an eye out for anything exotic!