What’s on in Edinburgh this Summer 2021

Discover what’s on in Edinburgh this Summer.

As summer approaches, Edinburgh comes alive with an abundance of activities and attractions for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly adventures, cultural festivals, or culinary delights, Scotland’s capital city has something to offer everyone. Let’s dive into the top experiences to enjoy in Edinburgh this summer across various categories.

Family-Friendly Things to Do: Summer in Edinburgh is perfect for family outings and adventures. Spend a day at the Edinburgh Zoo, where kids can marvel at exotic animals and enjoy interactive exhibits. For a dose of history and fun, explore the Edinburgh Dungeon, where theatrical actors bring Scotland’s dark past to life. Don’t miss a visit to Dynamic Earth, an interactive museum exploring the Earth’s past, present, and future through immersive exhibits and activities. Learn more

Events and Festivals: Edinburgh’s summer calendar is packed with exciting events and festivals that celebrate art, culture, and music. The Edinburgh International Festival, held in August, showcases world-class performances in theatre, opera, dance, and music, attracting artists and audiences from around the globe. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world, offers a diverse array of performances, street entertainment, and pop-up venues, transforming the city into a vibrant cultural hub. Learn more

Best Sights and Landmarks: Edinburgh is home to an impressive array of sights and landmarks that capture the city’s rich history and architectural beauty. Explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock, and delve into centuries of Scottish heritage within its ancient walls. Wander down the Royal Mile, a bustling thoroughfare lined with historic buildings, quaint shops, and cosy pubs. For panoramic views of the city, climb Calton Hill or visit the Scott Monument, a towering Gothic structure honouring Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Learn more

In conclusion, Edinburgh offers an unforgettable summer experience filled with adventure, culture, and culinary delights. Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks, soaking up the festival atmosphere, or indulging in delicious food and drink, Edinburgh promises a summer to remember.

What’s on this Summer?

What’s on in Edinburgh this Summer

June

National Whisky Festival  5^{th June} 

The National Whisky Festival of Scotland offers the ideal event for whisky lovers with sessions of unique whisky tastings, incredible live music, and whisky-related crafts, with plenty of delicious and hearty local scran to see you right. Featuring over 30 exhibitors from some of the most exciting names in whisky and with over 100 different whiskies to try.

Royal Highland Show 14th  -20^{th  June}

The Royal Highland Show annually showcases the best food, farming, and rural life. With the latest technology and the best production team in the country, the festival will be streaming a thrilling showcase of LIVE show jumping, sheep shearing, livestock judging, cooking demonstrations, dairy championships, and lots, lots more from our showground in Ingliston. Click here to learn more.

Edinburgh Science Festival 26^{th June} – 11th July

This year’s festival will explore the theme One World. In a year that sees us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first draft of the human genome, the 50th year since the invention of email and the floppy disc, the inception of the World food program, and the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s ground-breaking trip into space, we explore how we are all connected… to each other, to Planet Earth and to the wider Universe. Click here to learn more.

July

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 16th – 25^{th July} 

Edinburgh Jazz Festival was set up in 1978 by banjo-player and guitarist, Mike Hart. Mike’s initial focus was on traditional jazz and a host of events taking place for free admission in pubs. By the mid-’80s the Festival had added ticketed events and had broadened its musical policy to encompass swing and mainstream jazz and occasionally some more modern groups. Click here to learn more

Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival 16th -17th July

Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival is a celebration of craft beer, food, and music. Each year the festival offers you the chance to try over 100 delicious beers from 30 world-class breweries all while enjoying great local food accompanied by headliner music acts spinning the decks, previous festivals saw the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Young Fathers, and Mogwai. Click here to learn more.

Scotland Festival of motoring 18^{th July} 

This car show and motorcycle event promises to be exciting and entertaining with a variety of displays including Club Cars/Groups, Modified Cars, Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Motorhomes, and much much more. In addition, there will also be Daring Stunts, Demos, along with Activities for Kids, making it the must-go car show and motorcycle event for all the family. Click here to learn more.

Edinburgh Art Festival 29^th-29^{th July} 

Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival is the platform for the visual arts at the heart of Edinburgh’s August festivals, bringing together the capital’s leading galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces in a city-wide celebration of the very best in visual art. Each year, the Festival features leading international and UK artists alongside the best emerging talent, major survey exhibitions of historic figures, and a special programme of newly commissioned artworks that respond to public and historic sites in the city. Click here to learn more.

August

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 6^th – 30^{th August} 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet.  For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe. Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters to everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions, and events. Click here to learn more.

Royal Military Tattoo 6^th-28^{th August} 

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military tattoos performed by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands, and artistic performance teams on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the capital of Scotland. The event is held each August as one of the Edinburgh Festivals. Click here to learn more.

Out East Festival 6^th-7^{th August} 

This year’s Out East festival is landing in a socially distanced East Lothian this summer, for the carefree the intrepid, and the brave. A glorious blend of music arts & culture well-being incredible food and open-air dancing. Pack your rucksacks it’s time to head OUT EAST. Click here to learn more.

Foodies Festival 6^th-8^{th August} 

Foodies Festival was born in 2006 in Edinburgh, founder Sue Hitchen’s home city. Sue wanted to start a fun, family festival that celebrated local food & drinks produce. This year we are delighted to be working with our charity partners Musicians Against Homelessness and Crisis. Each three-day event will celebrate live music into the night on the newly launched stage with performances from much-loved headliner Toploader, power pop rock group Dodgy and hugely admired band The Hoosiers. Click here to learn more.

Summer Sessions – 6^th-15^{th August} 

The star-studded event is expected to return to Scotland’s capital in August with Simple Minds, Michael Kiwanuka, Travis, Tom Jones, and DMA’S already on the line-up. Click here to learn more.

Edinburgh International Festival 7^th – 29^{th August} 

For three weeks in August, Scotland’s capital becomes an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for people of all nations. The International Festival presents a programme featuring the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music, and theatre. Click here to learn more.

International Film Festival 

Inaugurated in 1947, the same year as the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival is the world’s longest continually running film festival. The Festival has been a champion of emerging British talent throughout its history, presenting world premieres of formative films by Bill Forsyth, Danny Boyle, and Stephen Frears, among many others. Click here to learn more.

International Book Festival 14^th – 30^{th August} 

It began in 1983 and has since become a key event in the August Festival season, celebrated annually in Scotland’s capital city. Biennial at first, the Book Festival became a yearly celebration in 1997. 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. Click here to learn more.

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