The year in Edinburgh

Nov 2026 – Oct 2027 · 12 moments

The big moments of the year in Edinburgh: Edinburgh's Christmas, Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Burns Night and more, with their dates.

November2026
14Nov

Edinburgh's Christmas

14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

The Christmas market in East Princes Street Gardens is free to enter, with the LNER Big Wheel and a Starflyer swing ride beside it. A funfair fills West Princes Street Gardens, and there are shows, an ice bar and a pub on George Street. East Princes Street Gardens is open from 10:00 to 22:00 on most days.

December2026
29Dec

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

29 December 2026 – 1 January 2027

Edinburgh's New Year festival: the Torchlight Procession from the Meadows through the Old Town on 29 December, a party with The Fratellis on 30 December, then on 31 December the Street Party and Hogmanay in the Gardens with Underworld, both from 20:00. First Footin' on 1 January is a free, unticketed music trail.

January2027
25Jan

Burns Night

Monday 25 January 2027, the poet's birthday

Scotland's night for the poet Robert Burns, born on 25 January 1759. A Burns supper is haggis, neeps and tatties with recitations of his poems and songs.

April2027
3Apr

Edinburgh Science Festival

3 – 18 April 2027

Talks, shows and hands-on events for families and adults. The 2027 theme is Dreamers.

Aprusually

Beltane Fire Festival

The night of 30 April; most recently Thursday 30 April 2026, 2027 not announced yet

The Beltane Fire Society's night of fire, story and ritual on Calton Hill, performed by volunteers to mark the start of summer. It is ticketed through the organiser only, and tickets bought elsewhere may not be genuine.

May2027
29May

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May 2027

A weekend of races: the 10K on the Saturday, starting near Dynamic Earth in Holyrood Park, and on the Sunday the half marathon, which starts at Potterrow and finishes in Musselburgh, and the marathon.

July2027
16Jul

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

16 – 25 July 2027

Jazz and blues in clubs, theatres and halls across the city, with a series at the Queen's Hall.

August2027
6Aug

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

6 – 28 August 2027

The military bands and displays on the Castle Esplanade, with the castle as the backdrop. The organisers have announced the 2027 run.

6Aug

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

6 – 30 August 2027

The Fringe's 80th edition: comedy, theatre, music and street shows in venues all over the city. Anyone with a show and a venue can take part, so there is no single programme to read.

Augusually

Edinburgh International Festival

August; most recently 7 – 30 August 2026, 2027 not announced yet

The curated festival of opera, orchestras, theatre and dance, begun in 1947, in the Usher Hall, the Festival Theatre and other halls.

Augusually

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Mid to late August; most recently 15 – 30 August 2026, 2027 not announced yet

Author talks and readings, in the middle of the August festivals.

October2027
Octusually

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Late October; most recently 21 – 31 October 2026, 2027 not announced yet

Storytelling events at the end of October.