Edinburgh International Book Festival 2021

Since its beginnings, the Book Festival has grown rapidly in size and popularity. Today it produces and stages over 900 author events, covering a huge range of topics, offering thought-provoking entertainment and inspiration for adults, children, schools, and communities. The festival will return this August from the 14th to the 30th.

Each year, well-known writers, thinkers, and artists from all over the world gather alongside new and up-and-coming authors to become part of a unique democratic forum in which audience and author meet to share stories, exchange thoughts and opinions and discuss some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Forming a central part of the Festival is the highly regarded Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme, a leading showcase for children’s writers and illustrators. Incorporating workshops, storytelling, panel discussions, author and illustrator events and book signings, it now ranks as the world’s premier books and reading event for young people.

The Book Festival aims to foster a love of books, words and reading, and inspire people of all backgrounds and ages to explore new ideas and expand their horizons. Since 2015, a Communities Programme has taken the essence of the Edinburgh International Book Festival on the road around Scotland. Working closely with local organisations to create events and activities tailored to the area and the needs of each community, the Book Festival puts on author events in Scottish prisons, hospitals, and arts centres, and develops activities for groups that face significant challenges, such as homeless people and refugees.

The Book Festival’s home is the beautiful and historic Charlotte Square Gardens, centrally located in Edinburgh’s world heritage listed Georgian New Town. Each year the gardens are transformed into a magical tented village, which attracts around 250,000 visits. In 2017, the Book Festival Village expanded onto the west end of George Street.

The Book Festival is proud to run its own independent bookselling operation. All proceeds from the sales of books are invested back into the running of the Book Festival, a not-for-profit charity organisation. Edinburgh International Book Festival raises in excess of 80% of its funds through ticket sales, book sales, sponsorship, individual donations and trusts.

Click here to learn more.

Start planning ahead and remember to book your accommodation directly with us via our website to ensure you get the best rate. Click here to view our current offers.