Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is an annual arts festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, spread over the final three weeks in August. Notable figures from the international world of music (especially classical music) and the performing arts are invited to join the festival. Visual art exhibitions, talks and workshops are also hosted.

The first 'International Festival of Music and Drama' took place between 22 August and 11 September 1947. Under the first festival director, the distinguished Austrian-born impresario Rudolf Bing, it had a broadly-based programme, covering orchestral, choral and chamber music, Lieder and song, opera, ballet, drama, film, and Scottish 'piping and dancing' on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, a structure that was followed in subsequent years.

The festival's impact extends beyond the annual programme: its community learning and engagement and professional development programmes run throughout the year, reaching the widest possible audiences.

Our lifestyle team is on hand to provide a bespoke hospitality experience for our members at the Edinburgh International Festival in Edinburgh. Our offering is catered to your heart's desire and we cover all aspects of your experience, from accommodation and transportation arrangements, to entertainment and local guides in Edinburgh.