Edinburgh Summer Festivals

Every season in Edinburgh is a reason to be jolly. Edinburgh is the host of twelve major festivals and a whole bundle of smaller ones throughout the year, which is yet another reason why Edinburgh city is one of the most exciting places to be any time of the year - presenting an unforgettable mix of cultural experiences in an iconic and beautiful city. There is no better setting for festivals to take place than the medieval silhouette the city provides (Old Town has been growing from 1074 onwards, whereas New Town has been expanding since 1759). Artists from around the globe migrate to Edinburgh throughout the year to sprinkle on their own inimitability into the flux of creativity when inhabiting every theatre, every venue, every courtyard, every park and every nook and cranny of the city.

Throughout the year, Edinburgh caters to every cultural taste and niche, from young to the older and from the more serious to young at heart alike. As Edinburgh enters end of July and August, the city spouts festivals from left and right – and there is surely something for everyone.

Starting of the summer culture festivals is the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (19-28 July). There  will be great nights out at Festival Theatre, party atmospheres at the Spiegeltent, top performers playing at the Queen’s Hall, a cool new modern jazz club at 3 Bristo Place, a traditional haven at the Royal Overseas League, an all day Festival club at the Tron Kirk. All that jazz has city jiving straight to the string of international festivals.

Edinburgh Fringe (2-26 August 2013) offers a myriad of emotions and experiences, with over 2000 shows to choose from, there is something for everyone. Just last year, Edinburgh Fringe convinced the world of its status of being the largest arts festival in the world - the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012 closed with 42,096 performances of 2,695 shows. There are thousands of shows up for booking with reasonable prices as well as a whole selection of free events to entice the last minute arrivals and those out on a prowl for the next new big thing.

Along with Fringe, the Edinburgh International Book Festival (10-26 August 2013) is proudly standing by as the largest public celebration of the written word in the world. With over 800 authors in over 700 events, it is a title Edinburgh International Book Festival has truly earned. There is no better place for a bibliophile to be wooed with the uniqueness of the written word from around the globe, or for a budding writer to make their connections and discoveries and to be inspired for that next great novel.

The Edinburgh International Festival (9 August – 1 September 2013) brings another aspect to the festive summer time of Edinburgh, with its eclectic listing of the very best in international opera, theatre, music and dance. More niche than Fringe (which has a little everything for everyone), the Edinburgh International Festival brings the best of opera, theatre and music scene into Edinburgh, to be celebrated and awed in equal amounts.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2-24 August 2013) is a remarkable outdoor event, set to the breath-taking backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, and bringing together tattoos from around the world. Edinburgh Castle esplanade is turned into a spectacular stage, hosting the tattoo where the castle and viewers become part of the experience. And while the commentator - the Voice of the Castle - brings the audience together, cheering individually for their countries four corners of the globe but united in an international fraternity, the Edinburgh city is faded into the dusk accompanied by the sounds of the cheers.

Edinburgh Art Festival (1 August – 1 September 2013) brings the best in contemporary arts together for a month long festival in the heart of Scottish summer. Some of the most important movements and artists of modern art are showcasing their talents in either exhibitions or commissioned works accompanied with various events throughout the art festival.

Edinburgh MELA (31 August – 1 September 2013) brings the Edinburgh summer festival season to a well-deserved end. For two days only Edinburgh MELA brings to the city a flow of world music, food, dance and fashion. Challenging the senses and daring to try new, MELA is Scotland’s largest international celebration of diversity.

Edinburgh provides throughout the year events and festivals, and you never know what unexpected, spur of a moment street art you encounter while browsing through the city on your way to your booked events. Edinburgh festival season is a like a honey for bear of diversity of artists all from musicians, dancers, cartoonists, caricaturists, painters, singers, to name but a few, all flock to the city to take part, to contribute and to experience some of the hype of what is Edinburgh Festivals.

 

 - Written by Aija Oksman -