Edinburgh Festival Fringe International Film Festivals

Edinburgh's festival spirit soars far beyond the famous International and Fringe Festivals held here every Summer. Edinburgh's Hogmanay draws people from all over the world, and there are festivals of science, of puppetry and for children.

The history of The Edinburgh Festivals:
In 1945 post-war Europe, former Festival cities such as Salzburg and Munich were suffering from shell-shock, so Edinburgh's civic head at the time thought the concept of a prestigious summer festival was a winner when suggested to him.

The Festival would not only be a good Europe-wide PR exercise, but would also act as appointed remark to Glasgow, which was still considered the second city of the Empire. At any rate, the first Festival in 1947 was a success, and prestige was guaranteed with the presence of various international ensembles.

At the same time as all the highbrow things were being touted, a rogue band of merry theatre and music types also descended on Edinburgh in 1947, and by fate or accident; the Fringe Festival was born, as an annual event, which has succeeded and coexisted alongside the International Festival since the very first year. So, with this cultural melange came the unique ability for Edinburgh to sustain this yearly onslaught, to offer the discerning and the more adventurous among us the chance to see and hear a little bit of what the world has to offer, as well as a chance for Scotland to present itself to a massive International audience.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival can't guarantee the same amount of sunshine as Cannes, but is well on the way to matching the glamour! Click on the links below to learn more about each of the festivals taking place in Edinburgh in August and other months of the year.

Festivals in 2008

Edinburgh International Science Festival
25th Mar - 5th Apr

Edinburgh International Film Festival
18th - 29th Jun

Jazz and Blues Festival
25th Jul - 5th Aug

Edinburgh Fringe  
3rd - 25th Aug

Edinburgh International Book Festival
9th - 25th Aug

Edinburgh International Festival  
8th - 31st Aug