Edinburgh Events and Festivals
January
Burns Night: 25 January is an important night for all Scots, and there are celebrations across Edinburgh honouring the nation’s poet, Robert Burns. In addition to poetry readings, the traditional dish known as haggis is served, washed down with copious amounts of fine whiskey.
February
 Scottish Snowdrop Festival: from the beginning of February through mid-March you’ll see these lovely native plants in bloom throughout the country. In Edinburgh you’ll find them blooming in front of some of the city’s finest historical buildings, in most of the city’s gardens and around many stately houses.
March
Ceilidh Culture Festival Edinburgh: hosted annually in Edinburgh, this world-class celebration of Scottish cultural traditions brings performers from all over the world. Scottish poetry, storytelling, music and traditional dances and songs are all part of what’s in store if you plan your visit to Edinburgh in March.
April
 Edinburgh International Science Festival: offering children the opportunity to experience the wonders of science and technology is the aim of this festival, which is organised each year by an Edinburgh non-profit trust. Guided encounters with the magic and the mysteries of the world as illuminated by science fascinate children of all ages.
 Beltane Fire Festival: more than 15,000 people gather for this spectacular event on Calton Hill that begins with a procession inspired by the city’s Gaelic predecessors. This is a celebration of the arrival of summer and combines the sounds of drums with pagan rituals, theatre and fire in a memorable and festive event.
May
Scottish International Children's Festival: this is a week-long series of plays for children, staged by theatre companies from around the world. A number of prominent city theatres act as venues for the performance of comedy, dance, drama, music and puppet shows.
June
 Pride: Edinburgh and Glasgow alternate as the focal points for Scotland's annual celebration for gays and lesbians. The highlight of this June festival is a boisterous and unique parade that takes over Edinburgh’s Princes Street. Vendors, street parties and special events at bars and clubs carry on well into the night.
Royal Highland Show: more than 2,000 exhibitors come together to create the largest show of crafts and agricultural exhibitions in Scotland. The show draws upwards of 150,000 visitors each year to view the numerous varieties of farm animals as well as demonstrations of sheep-shearing and equestrian competitions.
July
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival: this festival is the longest-running of its type in the UK, drawing over 50,000 music lovers annually. Over 120 events are held at venues across the city, including clubs and pubs, well-known concert halls and numerous theatres.
August
 Edinburgh International, Fringe, Book, Film and Jazz festivals: this is the largest art festival in the world that combines most all types of art and performing arts for the benefit of enthusiasts from all over the world for three weeks in August. Approximately 600 comedy, dance, music, opera and theatre events are held over the duration of the festival, with dozens on offer every day. Over 180 venues are involved, from Edinburgh’s streets to its Assembly Rooms.
September
Doors Open Day: for a full weekend in September, a number of historic buildings in both Edinburgh and Glasgow are open to the public. What’s unique about this particular weekend is that the buildings on tour are typically not open to visitors. Many curious locals take advantage of the opportunity.
October
 Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival: held over a three-day weekend, this series includes films and lectures by top international names in mountaineering. The short adventure films that are featured include entrants in climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing and BASE jumping, with many actually filmed in Scotland.
December
Hogmanay: New Year's Eve, or Hogmanay, as it’s known in Scotland is actually a bigger event for Scots than Christmas. The festivities begin during the final week of December and continue on until after New Year’s Day. Events in Edinburgh include a night time procession by torchlight, a fire festival held on Princes Street, a carnival, outdoor concerts and a street theatre spectacle.
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