You may have made it to the final week of the Fringe, but the curtains haven’t come down just yet. Here at theSpaceUK, we’ve got a whole host of shows about to begin their Fringe runs.
So, as the festival enters its final week, it’s time for Act 3:
Part rock concert, part coming-of-age drama, this gripping new musical follows young musicians haunted by their past. With a bold, genre-blending score, this electrifying show explores ambition, identity and the struggle to move forward.
The Tears of Nerakhis (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 24-29 August) Written, composed and staged from scratch: this original epic fantasy musical brings a modern myth to life, telling the extraordinary love story between a human girl and the daughter of the God of the Night.
Swing Gum (theSpace @ Niddry St, 24-29 August) A true story of love separated by war and reunited 75 years later. Swing Gum blends tap, swing, Lindy hop and archival broadcasts into a toe-tapping, heart-stopping musical. Experience the UK premiere of this unforgettable wartime love story.
Nuns of Fury! (theSpace on the Mile, 24-29 August) The nuns are back in town! The Nuns of Fury must battle both vice and virtue in this rock-gospel extravaganza. A comedy for fans of sisterhood and having faith in yourself!
Music
To Be Arranged… (theSpace on the Mile, 24-29 August) University of Exeter’s Illuminations A Cappella presents ‘To Be Arranged…’. Their Fringe show is about to begin, but they are yet to decide on a theme. Come and listen to see if they figure it out!
Sixty-five years after Judy Garland’s iconic concert, two NYC drag artists resurrect her performance via messy, virtuosic experiment. Through impressions, lip sync, monologue and rainbow cake, this show interrogates societal expectations around fatness.
Comedy
Got Mushroom For Sketch Comedy? (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 24-29 August) Got Mushroom for Sketch Comedy? The students of Exeter Comedy Society are back with their latest sketch show!
Outlaugh: Edinburgh (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 24-29 August) A comedy and social strategy competition show using the rules of the reality show Survivor. Twelve comedians compete in comedic challenges for immunity, while the losers have to vote each other out at tribal council.
Silly Goose! (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 24-29 August) We’re on the hunt for the Silliest Goose in town! Join us and three comics as we discuss your silliest stories, whether it’s saucy scandals, funny first dates or office outrages.
A baptism in the blood of life. Salty stains of prayer and memory. You are complicit in a sensory-led, psyche-bending world where all the angels on Earth have fallen because their mother couldn’t fall with them.
Winner of Creative Corner Festival 2026! If you can read this, you’re ahead of Hannah! With a mix of humour and heart, this autobiographical play sheds light on the misunderstood world of dyslexia.
Join Liz, on her last morning at Number 10, in an exploration, comic and tragic, of the tensions in politics: between ambition and ability, vision and reality, going short and playing it long.
Fisch and Neck are two lost souls picking for what’s left in the Trashcan of Spirit. Dregs is a dark, absurdist comedy exploring the ugly underbelly of capitalism and greed through a series of hilarious clownish hijinks.
SQUAT! (theSpace on the Mile, 24-29 August) Join the Squat as they stumble through loss with too much alcohol, too many bad decisions, and absolutely no filter. SQUAT! is a dark comedy about masculine vulnerability, friendship and the f*cking weird ways men say “I love you”!
Is This Your First Crime? (theSpace on the Mile, 24-29 August) A new comedy set within a police interrogation, showcasing the corruption and ineptitude of the force. When Tim’s brought in for questioning nothing can prepare him for what the desperate detectives have in store!
Come As You Are (theSpace Triplex, 24-29 August) Katherine turns 45 today! A warm, joyful celebratory dinner with all the family awaits her – until an uninvited guest sours the festivities.
It Couldn’t Get Worse; or, The Margarita Boat Tour Incident (theSpace @ Venue 45, 24-29 August) Locked in a lighthouse, Claire and Judy form a reluctant alliance to save Maggie, Judy’s daughter and Claire’s fiancée. It couldn’t get worse. Probably.
What’s Rotting in the Office Fridge? (theSpace on the Mile, 24-29 August) A seemingly regular office prepares for a retirement party, but something’s amiss. As characters unravel, they find themselves trapped by capitalism, the stages of grief and their own ambition.
I Killed My Father (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 24-29 August) This darkly comedic excavation dissects a lineage of absentee fathers, explores what we inherit, and reveals the high cost of a graceful exit. A bitingly funny autopsy on masculinity.
Can You Teach Me How To Breathe? (theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 24-29 August) Four people wake up on a sinking submarine with no idea what’s going on. There’s nothing to do but wait. And the empty feelings they’ve long ignored creep in.
Fringe magician Elliot Bibby took to the streets of Edinburgh on Thursday in a bespoke Walker’s Shortbread ‘Magic Taxi’ to surprise festival-goers with free rides, close-up magic, and buttery shortbread.
Serving as an on-the-move venue with a difference, the tartan-clad cab – which features brand ambassador Sir Andy Murray – transported busy Fringe-goers across the city between venues while keeping them entertained and fuelled with shortbread.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association will host a line-up of incredible food vendors across central venues this August in collaboration with Gilded Balloon and Pleasance Theatre Trust.
With a strong focus on supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of Scotland’s local food scene and suppliers, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice at the city’s most iconic Fringe venues.
Pleasance Courtyard
Smash & Stack, Total Meltdown, Pizza Geeks, Happy Dumplings, Mint, Mimi’s Bakehouse, Backstage Bar & Bistro
The Pleasance Courtyard, an original Fringe venue since the event’s first year – 1947, is one of the most popular social areas for performers and punters alike. Come rain or shine, the Courtyard offers that beer garden buzz, with plenty of covered seating.
Smash & Stack, Edinburgh’s gourmet burger stall, are cooking up a range of dishes, from its ‘Moving Mountains’ vegan burger to its beef truffle and parmesan burger. Find Smash & Stack in the Front Courtyard.
For pure indulgence, head to local legends Total Meltdown to try their grilled cheese sandwiches oozing with cheddar and delicious fillings, including kimchi, nduja and pastrami. Vegans will be spoilt for choice too, with seven options available on the menu.
Cheese enthusiasts can also get their fix at Pizza Geeks who have been serving Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas with a slice of geek in Edinburgh since 2016.
Happy Dumplings are on a mission to bring their famous family recipes from restaurants in China to Scotland. Packed with explosive flavour, dumpling options include prawn, pork, beef or chicken.
Mint will be serving up their signature wraps, perfectly balancing texture and taste through their unique combination of smoked paprika, fresh tzatziki and tangy pickled cabbage. Their famous Za’atar chicken or falafel and humous wraps are on the menu.
And for a sweet treat, Mimi’s Bakehouse – one of Edinburgh’s best-loved bakeries – are back with their award-winning cakes, scones and coffee, alongside hot filled rolls.
Drink amongst the stars at our various bars:
• Arthur’s Bar – a relaxed bar area tucked away behind the Pleasance Courtyard looking out to Arthur’s Seat.
• Cragg’s Bar – located under the famous yellow stretch tent – the perfect spot for a drink and a bite.
• Cabaret Bar – combining a bar and performance space inside the main Pleasance building, the Cabaret Bar has previously attracted the likes comedians such as Frank Skinner, Rich Hall and Jenny Éclair. The bar is operated by Backstage Bar and Bistro serving teas, coffee and hearty food.
Teviot
The Loft Bar, Union Social, Gallery Cafe, Union Social Garden, Relics Coffee Co.
Teviot is back on the Fringe scene, following its extensive refurbishment. Crowned ‘Best Night Out’ at the 2026 Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards, Teviot is the world’s oldest purpose-built students’ union and has an array of dining spaces for visitors to refuel in between Fringe shows.
Inside Teviot you’ll find the spacious Union Social serving local craft beer by the award winning Stewart Brewing. On sunny days, head to the Loft Bar’s roof terrace to escape from the bustling crowds.
Outside, Union Social Garden is your classic beer garden, with beach hut booths and picnic benches. Alongside the bar, Relics Coffee Co. will pop up at Union Social Garden, offering speciality brews and espresso martinis for a day-to-night caffeine hit.
On Friday and Saturday nights, you’ll be able to pair your beverage of choice along with live music as DJ sets take over Union Social Garden – there’s no need to purchase a ticket, just rock up and enjoy!
Charles Street Lane
Mac Love, Greek Street Food, Churros Truck
Outside Teviot is Charles Street Lane. This Fringe hotspot is where to find an array of street food staples, including Mac Love with their popular mac ‘n’ cheese, Greek Street Food offering chicken and halloumi gyros, and Churros Truck for Spanish fried doughnuts with a range of dipping sauces.
Pleasance Dome & Plaza
The Dome Bar, Box Bar, Bar & Kitchen, Chicken & Fries
The Dome Bar is the main bar in the Pleasance Dome, offering a wide selection of draught, bottles, spirits and hot food. Situated in the lower Dome is the Box Bar complete with
decked seating, giving the perfect summer festival feeling. If you fancy a bite, you can also find the Bar & Kitchen serving up tasty hot dogs, sides and drinks – perfect for a proper pit stop between shows.
Outside the Pleasance Dome on Pleasance Plaza (named as one of the Fringe’s top places to be) you can find Chicken & Fries with a delicious selection of chicken options.
Drinks across venues
A broad selection of drinks is available across the venues — Madri, Coors, Alpacalypse Session IPA, Staropramen, Aspall Cyder, Caffrey’s Black Stout and Blue Moon to name a few. In addition, you will find Alcohol 0% options, Rekorderlig Ciders, NICE Wine, Whitley Neill Gin, Fever-Tree soft drinks and much more.
We also have some “Grab and Go” canned items that will ensure you can quickly get served, even while you wait in your queue for the show, so refreshments are never far away.
theSpaceUK is gearing up for a second week of Fringe, offering a hundred-plus shows ranging from theatre to cabaret to musicals
After an incredible opening week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we are thrilled to be going into week 2. Here’s just a taste of the exciting new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK …
(theSpace @ on the Mile, 17-29 August) Hot off the tracks from a 5-star debut, this hilarious original musical comedy will take you on the rollercoaster that is love, loss and being a constant disappointment to your parents.
A bold new historical musical set in 1908 Britain, charting the rise of the suffragette movement. This urgent tribute confronts the past to ignite the present.
Delight in all the melodrama we know and love, with some added panto pizzazz. A devious trio of traitors, a Romeo-and-Juliet love story, and a predictable parody (or two); this series will be unlike any other.
Acclaimed New Zealand theatre company’s international premiere of this powerful, original folk musical shedding new light on an ancient tale. Greek myth blended with 1940s Hollywood aesthetic through a groundbreaking live-looping musical landscape.
A sapphic musical following best friends Celine and Margot, who teeter between love and fear. When life, lovers and timing pull them apart, the songs they leave unsung begin to tell the truth.
Join Durham University’s award-winning barbershop choir for an a capella concert full of rich harmony arrangements of your favourite numbers! Featuring musical theatre, jazz, Disney and classic barbershop, there’s something for everyone!
This show mines the depth of human identity while deftly exploring all sides. Who am I kidding? This show is just me proving how Black I am. Because I am so Black.
The University of York Dead Ducks are invited to a remote stately home by a former colleague. As punchlines and bodies pile up, the choice is simple: commit to the bit or die trying.
Merlesque is a tale about a tail. A policy expert uprooted by America’s 2024 presidential election, Merlesque is the true story of how a statistician turned into a birthday party mermaid.
Who was the real Uncle Tom? This new Canadian play dramatises the journey of Josiah Henson from the depths of slavery to the heights of freedom. One actor, 36 characters. No set. No props. Just your imagination.
Through imagined conversations with a therapist, Keir Starmer grapples with the transformation from lawyer to national leader – ‘Oh God, you know I don’t do this self-analysis thing very well.’
Strangers, eight hours, one connection they can’t quite explain. Following two queer women through the only night they’ll spend together, it might mean everything – or nothing at all. Is eight hours long enough to fall in love?
Six employees. One Tuesday in the office. £60,000 stolen. To solve the mystery, the boss asks each of his employees to walk him through their day, resulting in absurd recreations and ridiculous revelations.
A university student poses nude at a life drawing class for all the wrong reasons. A funny, devastating solo play about desire, fantasy and the seductive idea that being seen is the same as being empowered.
Fiadh and Nolan were your normal uni students until one murderous night changes everything. Come join these best friends in hiding as they figure out their next move. Will they betray one another or accept defeat?
Davie, newly released from prison, moves in with his policeman-hopeful brother, Freddie, and his fiancee Laura, an overworked NHS nurse. Past mistakes resurface and clashing beliefs expose deep family fractures in austerity-hit Scotland.
Five internet addicts visit The Retreat in search of an easy life fix, hoping cucumber peels and tst exercises can buy back their happiness and spontaneity. A new satirical comedy about wellness, digital connection, and touching grass.
When a hapless husband accidentally steps on a bee that his wife was saving, it seems their marriage finally hits rock bottom. But when he rescues an injured pigeon, he discovers a way to restore their former passion.
Nocturnal Is The New Sexy follows a couple fractured by NHS night shifts, post-it notes and modern labour, blending ensemble movement and dark humour to expose love, exhaustion and the cost of being seen.
A camp workplace comedy set in a celestial bureaucracy where pop divas are treated as religious figures. Madness ensues when a rogue employee accidentally merges the religions of three modern pop icons.
The Besties awards celebrating the best across Edinburgh’s August Festivals are now in their third year. The Award is a partnership between Radge Media, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland.
The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce the week one winners of The Besties.
This award was selected by the young people who participated in this year’s Superpower Agency critical writing summer camp, a collaboration with the teams at The Skinny and Fest.
Five women went to teach theatre for the summer. They just didn’t know the world would end before camp did. In Stanislavski Can’t Save Me From The Apocalypse, life at a theatre camp in the northern woods of Maine takes a shocking turn when five counsellors suddenly become responsible for more than forty campers after the world ends on the final day of camp. Their artistic dreams collide with the abrupt demands of survival, forcing women who once built imaginary worlds onstage to confront a terrifying new reality offstage.
The young reviewers said, “We really enjoyed this innovative theatre production, set at a kid’s theatre camp in the aftermath of the apocalypse. This is an ambitious show that takes risks with its unconventional structure and pulls them off. They did a lot with a tiny venue, minimal set and a cast who were passionate and talented. The characters were realistic and the show’s depiction of young adult friendship was funny and relatable. A hopeful and meaningful take on a potentially dark subject.”
Believing themselves to be revolutionary leaders, two overconfident artists attempt to liberate the masses through the power of theatre. Ethan & Gigi are here to upstage fascist pigs and break legs (literally). The revolution will not be televised, it will be live! Alt-comedian legend Chris Gethard says: ‘These kids are funny, brave, some of the hardest workers I’ve ever met and also might be legitimately unwell in a mental sense. Either way, huge fan. Restores my faith and makes me believe in the connective power of comedy.’
The Skinny/Fest editorial team said: “Ethan and Gigi’s commitment to the bit is what makes this faux so-bad-it’s-good comedy stand out from the rest. A pair of revolutionaries riddled with interpersonal issues but convinced they’re on the brink of an anti-fascist revolutionary movement, the New York clown duo never let you see where they start and the characters end. There are big, insane swings in this show that wears its brashness deceptively lightly; swings that you’re only likely to see at The Fringe.”
Two teenagers perform fake Bigfoot sightings in their Appalachian town, until a neighbour’s dog turns up torn to pieces. Aside from sparking a panic that spirals out of their control, it forces them to question what might actually be terrorizing their under-resourced and already superstitious community. From 2022, 2023 and 2024 Fringe First award-winners and ‘the Fringe’s most dynamic theatrical duo’ (Telegraph), Xhloe and Natasha, comes a Brechtian puppet show ripped in two about conspiracy, misdirection and seeing something with your own eyes.
The Skinny/Fest editorial team said: “It may be early in the 2026 Fringe to declare a legend award, but the judging team could think of no title more fitting for clown duo Xhloe and Natasha. Since their 2022 debut with And Then the Rodeo Burned Down they’ve built a devoted following amongst Fringe-goers in general and the Skinny-Fest teams in particular. This year they’ve returned with their fourth original show, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It, and it has once again lived up to the hype.”
‘I’m sorry, I’ve said too much…’ Sky Arts Award-winning comedian Elf Lyons is The Woman on the Edge. A completely normal, autobiographical (and in no way complex) – observational stand-up show about love. A perfect show to take yourself to. Inspired by Vertigo, Apollo 13, the opera Pagliacci. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. One of The Telegraph’s 50 Funniest Comedians of the 21st Century.
The Skinny/Fest editorial team said: “The Fringe has practically belonged to Elf Lyons for a while now. Swan was mad; Raven was fit for a King. So to hear, in Elf’s new show, that she had lost herself earlier this year was heart-rending. If someone so singular can lose sight of who they are, what hope is there for the rest of us? By the end of her new hour, there’s no question that that isn’t the case anymore.”
Bzzzz. Enter the surrealist world of a house fly. She’s come to share her story before she dies! In an astonishing historical first, a house fly has learnt human behaviour. Wanting to warn us about the worldwide insect shortage but getting lost along the way. This is Tess O’Shea’s first show after training at Gaulier clown school – it’s a theatrical exploration on the life of a fly and their cultural history. Come and see a fly’s observations on the absurdity of modern life, inspired by Kafka and the surrealism of Dali. Swatters strictly prohibited!
Fest writer Xuanlin Tham said: “the humble fly is often constituted as nothing more than a filthy pest. Yet carrying on in the grand surrealist tradition of Kafka, Dalí, and also Ratatouille (masterpiece), Tess O’Shea’s House Fly paints the life story of one fly so vividly that the last thing you want to do is swat it away … The buzz is real.”
At 17, Eva moved from Livingston to Costa Rica on her own. She dropped out of school and moved to Costa Rica a boy-mad wee bam. She came back a bald lesbian without shoes. A fast, brutally funny debut about how you can take the girl out of Livingston, but maybe Costa Rica is too far. ‘One of the best young acts on the Scottish circuit’ (One4Review.co.uk). ‘A rising star’ (List). Support for Kim Blythe, Sam Nicoresti and Susie McCabe.
The Skinny/Fest editorial team said: “Eva Peroni is anything if not precocious. The 22-year-old’s debut Fringe hour is crammed with joke after joke, drawing on themes of identity and belonging and remaining sharp and uncompromising throughout. Taking inspiration from her coming-of-age in Costa Rica, the comic probes questions of national identity and Scottishness, with tongue firmly in cheek…”
Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals. 2026 winners will be announced at weekly ceremonies taking place at Festival Theatre in Edinburgh on 15, 22 and 29 August.
The Besties awards, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter a graduate of Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, use recyclable plastics gathered by the partners and leftover wood sourced locally.
Landmark report evidences the profound impacts of the Edinburgh Festivals, confirming them as one of the most remarkable demonstrations of cultural power in the world
Picture by JANE BARLOW
In the latest of a long line of internationally acclaimed impact studies, the Edinburgh Festivals have published their most recent research across a series of cultural, social and economic indicators – which shows that at a fundamental level the festivals make life better – for residents, artists, visitors, and businesses.
The research identifies the Edinburgh Festivals as a unique civic asset that enhances wellbeing through creative and community engagement, an unrivalled international springboard for Scottish artists and companies, and a major attraction for those choosing to live, work, visit and invest in Edinburgh. The findings clearly indicate that the Festivals define Scotland’s cultural identity on the global stage.
Introducing the latest Impact Study on 29 June, Professor Daisy Fancourt, Director of WHO Collaborating Centre on Arts and Health and UNESCO Chair in Arts & Global Health as well as author of Art Cure: How the Arts Can Transform Your Health and Help You Live Longer said: “The Edinburgh Festivals have long stood as one of the world’s most remarkable demonstrations of the power of arts and culture.
“Shared cultural experiences create opportunities for dialogue, build understanding and challenge ideas. They bring people together across generations, backgrounds and perspectives, helping to build trust and social cohesion. At a time when many communities are grappling with social fragmentation and unrest, cultural participation offers powerful opportunities to strengthen civic life and nurture a sense of common purpose.
“The Festivals show what is possible when culture is placed at the heart of civic life, and this report provides a powerful case for the importance ofsustaining and investing in their future for generations to come.”
The research affirms that while the individual festivals are powerful brands in their respective fields, collectively they are both a unique national asset and a global phenomenon. They are an integral part of the cultural and social fabric of the country and provide an opportunity to showcase a 21st century nation.
The headline findings in this publication show the Edinburgh Festivals as:
cultural adventurers, with 90% of audiences acclaiming the festivals as unique places of cultural discovery
civic drivers, that enhance community well-being with 79% of local audiences stating that the festivals make Edinburgh a special place to live
national investors, spending more than £10m annually with event production companies and creative talent based in Scotland
economic powerhouses, calculated to have a gross economic impact of £4.26 billion over the next five years in Scotland.
Commenting on the publication of the Impact Study, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan MSP said: “The Edinburgh Festivals are truly world class — and this research confirms their extraordinary cultural, social and economic value to Scotland.
“A projected national economic impact of £4.26 billion over the coming five years, 90% of audiences describing them as unique places of cultural discovery, and 79% of Edinburgh residents saying they make the city a special place to live — these are remarkable findings.
“As we approach the 80th anniversary of Edinburgh’s status as a festival city, the Scottish Government is proud to champion the festivals and committed to ensuring they continue to thrive for the benefit of people across Scotland and on the global stage.”
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh’s festivals are at the heart of what makes our city so special, bringing together residents and visitors to enjoy thousands of shows and events throughout the year.
“This research highlights that these celebrations deliver significant cultural, social, and economic benefits, supporting local communities and businesses while enhancing the city’s global reputation.
“As we approach the 80th anniversary of our festivals, we remain committed to supporting their future while balancing the needs of residents, visitors, and business, ensuring Edinburgh continues to thrive as a world-leading festival city.”
Vicki Miller, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Edinburgh’s festivals are world renowned, and a key part of what makes Scotland a must-visit destination, drawing thousands of international visitors to the country each year.
FURTHER FINDINGS INCLUDE:
The Edinburgh Festivals have seen a major expansion in their community reach
Alongside its global scale, the report identifies a major expansion in the Festivals’ community footprint. They offer residents of the city and substantial audiences of all ages throughout Scotland, opportunities that support creative expression, social connection and wellbeing, while breaking down barriers, enhancing community cohesion and civic pride.
These core principles were fundamental building blocks of the PlaCE [Partnerships for Creative Excellence] programme, a pioneering three-way partnership between Edinburgh Festivals, Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council. Almost 76,000 community participants took part across the life of the programme.
Over the five years spanning 2018 to 2023, the Festivals delivered a 489% increase in engagement with community groups, a 39% increase in schools participation (from 497 to 694) and a 245% increase in partnership activity.
This growth reflects a significant development of year-round activity and more equitable access, with programmes increasingly reaching communities less likely to have engaged with the Festivals in the past.
The Edinburgh Festivals are a civic asset as well as a global platform
The report reinforces the Festivals’ role within the city itself. Edinburgh residents account for around one third of all attendances, with 79% of local audiences identifying the Festivals as central to the city’s identity and sense of place, making it a special place to live. And 89.9% of audiences say that the Festivals create a welcoming environment in the city.
This dual role – as both a global cultural gathering and a locally rooted civic asset – is identified as a defining feature of the Edinburgh Festivals.
The Edinburgh Festivals are a key investor in Scotland’s creative economy
Beyond audience impact, the Festivals continue to act as a major investor in Scotland’s cultural sector, supporting artists, production companies and creative organisations across the country.
Annual spend with Scottish-based creative talent and production companies exceeds £10 million, helping to sustain jobs, develop skills and build international connections across the sector.
The Edinburgh Festivals provide a platform for Scotland on the world stage
With participants from over 80 countries and audiences from more than 100 countries, the Festivals play a central role in projecting Scotland internationally, showcasing a 21st century nation
The report affirms the Edinburgh Festivals as a globally significant cultural marketplace, while remaining deeply embedded within Scotland’s communities and creative industries. Both a unique national asset, part of the cultural and social fabric of the country, and a global phenomenon making up part of the appeal that will drive Scotland forward.
The Edinburgh Festivals are economic powerhouses
The Edinburgh Festivals delivered an estimated £558 million in net economic impact for Edinburgh and £852 million across Scotland in 2025.
A central finding of the research is that this economic impact is driven by the quality and innovation within the Festivals’ cultural programmes which drive attendances, with 90% of audiences acclaiming the festivals as unique places of cultural discovery
The report concludes that investment in programming is the primary factor that attracts global audiences and generates wider economic activity across tourism, hospitality and the creative industries. With the right investment the future impact is expected to reach £4.26 billion over the next five years.
The findings underline the Festivals’ position as a major national asset, operating at a scale rarely seen in global cultural events. With over 4 million attendances drawn from more than 100 countries last year, Edinburgh hosts one of the largest ticketed event programmes in the world every year, on a scale equivalent with less frequent major events such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.
Cultural events like these provide authentic and immersive experiences for people across Scotland and from around the world and are vital in strengthening our international profile and supporting local businesses, artists, and performers.”
Lori Anderson, Director of Festivals Edinburgh stated:
‘We are facing challenging times which call for boldness, direction, and vision – and the Edinburgh Festivals, through their pioneering collaborative work, focused strategic thinking, and hugely praised programmes, have these qualities in abundance. They have a powerful role to play in increasing the creative capacity, economic strength, and international reputation of Scotland. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the birth of our world leading festival city, now is the time to champion and invest in the Festivals’ success.’
Further findings in the Impact Study include:
The Edinburgh Festivals have seen a major expansion in their community reach
Alongside its global scale, the report identifies a major expansion in the Festivals’ community footprint. They offer residents of the city and substantial audiences of all ages throughout Scotland, opportunities that support creative expression, social connection and wellbeing, while breaking down barriers, enhancing community cohesion and civic pride.
These core principles were fundamental building blocks of the PlaCE [Partnerships for Creative Excellence] programme, a pioneering three-way partnership between Edinburgh Festivals, Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council. Almost 76,000 community participants took part across the life of the programme.
Over the five years spanning 2018 to 2023, the Festivals delivered a 489% increase in engagement with community groups, a 39% increase in schools participation (from 497 to 694) anda 245% increase in partnership activity.
This growth reflects a significant development of year-round activity and more equitable access, with programmes increasingly reaching communities less likely to have engaged with the Festivals in the past.
The Edinburgh Festivals are a civic asset as well as a global platform
The report reinforces the Festivals’ role within the city itself. Edinburgh residents account for around one third of all attendances, with 79% of local audiences identifying the Festivals as central to the city’s identity and sense of place, making it a special place to live. And 89.9% of audiences say that the Festivals create a welcoming environment in the city.
This dual role – as both a global cultural gathering and a locally rooted civic asset – is identified as a defining feature of the Edinburgh Festivals.
The Edinburgh Festivals are a key investor in Scotland’s creative economy
Beyond audience impact, the Festivals continue to act as a major investor in Scotland’s cultural sector, supporting artists, production companies and creative organisations across the country.
Annual spend with Scottish-based creative talent and production companies exceeds £10 million, helping to sustain jobs, develop skills and build international connections across the sector.
The Edinburgh Festivals provide a platform for Scotland on the world stage
With participants from over80 countries and audiences from more than 100 countries, the Festivals play a central role in projecting Scotland internationally, showcasing a 21st century nation.
The report affirms the Edinburgh Festivals as a globally significant cultural marketplace, while remaining deeply embedded within Scotland’s communities and creative industries. Both a unique national asset, part of the cultural and social fabric of the country, and a global phenomenon making up part of the appeal that will drive Scotland forward.
The Edinburgh Festivals are economic powerhouses
The Edinburgh Festivals delivered an estimated £558 million in net economic impact for Edinburgh and £852 million across Scotland in 2025.
A central finding of the research is that this economic impact is driven by the quality and innovation within the Festivals’ cultural programmes which drive attendances. 90% of audiences acclaimed the festivals as unique places of cultural discovery.
The report concludes that investment in programming is the primary factor that attracts global audiences and generates wider economic activity across tourism, hospitality and the creative industries. With the right investment the future impact is expected to reach £4.26 billion over the next five years.
The findings underline the Festivals’ position as a major national asset, operating at a scale rarely seen in global cultural events. With over 4 million attendances drawn from more than 100 countries last year, Edinburgh hosts one of the largest ticketed event programmes in the world every year, on a scale equivalent with less frequent major events such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.
Edinburgh’s festivals provide a “global platform” for Scotland as well as the artists who take part in performances, the Deputy First Minister has said.
Jenny Gilruth will attend the opening concert of the Edinburgh International Festival – All Rise – tonight along with Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad.
It comes after the First Minister last night (Friday) attended the opening evening of ‘A Trial’, a special collaboration between the Edinburgh International Festival, Festival d’Avignon and Holland Festival, the three European festivals established in 1947.
Funding for the August festivals in Edinburgh has increased to £6.3 million this year through both the Multi-Year Funding programme and Expanded Festivals Fund provided through Creative Scotland. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society received £500,000 in 2026-27 to support ongoing digital transformation work, including a new website to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Fringe next year.
Ms Gilruth said: “Edinburgh’s festivals provide a global platform for Scotland and for all the talented performers who take part. They also bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the capital throughout August with all the economic benefits that brings.
“They are invaluable for Scottish artists and performers to develop and support their ambition and creativity, providing opportunities to showcase their work nationally and internationally.
“These festivals also send out a clear message that Scotland is an open and welcoming country, reinforcing how the culture and arts sector occupy such an important place at the heart of our national identity.
“Increasing investment into Edinburgh’s Festivals forms part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase culture funding by £100 million annually by 2028-29, ensuring the benefits and chances to participate are enjoyed across the country.
“I am delighted to be attending the opening concert of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival and thank everyone involved in the tremendous range of shows on offer across all the festivals in the city this month.”
The Scottish Government has a long term commitment to providing £100 million more per year into the culture budget as a whole by 2028-29, compared to 2023-24
As part of this commitment, the 2026-27 Expanded Festivals Fund supports the ambitions of 55 arts festivals across Scotland and recognises their vital role as platforms for artists and performers.
Taken together, eight Edinburgh Festivals will receive just over £20.5m of Multi-Year Funding under Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year (2025-28) Funding Programme (MYF).
The Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents some of our visitor facing colleagues, has announced industrial action this month.
Our colleagues, visitors and the art in our care are our highest priorities, so we have made some changes to when our galleries open in August:
– Saturday 8 August: Our summer exhibition, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, will open as intended from 10am – 5pm at the Royal Scottish Academy. The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, shops and cafés will be closed.
– Wednesday 12 August: The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, including shops, cafés and the Royal Scottish Academy building, will be closed.
– Sunday 16 August: The Tea Green Summer Market, café and shop will be open at the Portrait gallery. The National and Modern galleries, the upper floors of the Portrait gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy building and our shops and cafes will be closed.
– Thursday 20 August: The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, including shops, cafés and the Royal Scottish Academy building, will be closed.
The grounds and car parks at Modern One and Modern Two will be open as normal throughout.
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, will open from 10am – 5pm on Saturday 8 August, then closed on Wednesday 12 August, Sunday 17 August and Thursday 20 August.
Gwen John: Strange Beauties will be closed on Saturday 8 August, Wednesday 12 August, Sunday 17 August and Thursday 20 August.
Between these dates, all our Galleries will be open for you to enjoy.
Thanks for your patience, we hope to see you soon.
POLICE are seeking the assistance of the public in trying to locate a teenager missing from Edinburgh.
Sixteen-year-old Safdar Hanif was last seen around 4am on Saturday, 25 July, 2026 on Jamaica Mews, Edinburgh.
He is described as around 5ft 7 inches in height, with short dark hair. When last seen, he was wearing a grey and white Nike top and white Nike tracksuit trousers. He was also wearing a Doo Rag and carrying a black bag.
Officers have been checking any relevant CCTV images and continue to speak to his family and friends for any information on where he might have gone.
Sergeant Chris Biggs said: “Safdar’s family is understandably concerned and want to know he is safe and well. If anyone has seen Safdar or has any information on his whereabouts, please contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0803 of 24 July, 2026.
If you’re looking for something different to do in the centre of Edinburgh this summer, then look no further than Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy (EFDA).
Whether you’re visiting Scotland’s capital on holiday, or live nearby and need some new ideas for a date night or day out with friends, EFDA offers something for everyone.
From whisky and food pairing, to behind-the-scenes conversations with Formula 1 experts and comedy cook-alongs, EFDA has you covered this summer season:
A taste of Scotland – whisky and food pairing event
Interested in learning more about Scottish whisky, or discovering how to pair it beautifully with food? Master of the Quaich, Annabel Meikle, is hosting dedicated whisky and food pairing events at Edinburgh Food and Drink Academy throughout the summer – perfect for those new to Scotch or looking to deepen their appreciation.
Over the course of the event, Annabel will lead guests through a nosing and tasting of three whiskies from Wemyss Malts. Further elevating the sensory experience, each whisky will be paired with premium charcuterie and cheese from I.J. Mellis, and artisan chocolate from Edinburgh-based Quirky Chocolate.
Attendees will learn how to nose and taste whisky, identify key flavour notes, and gain the confidence to create the perfect pairings at home. Tickets cost just £45 p/p with events taking place on Friday 24 July, Friday 14 August and Thursday 27 August.
Insights from the Formula 1 Pit Lane
Get your pit-lane pass with Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy this August during an exclusive conversation with Bernie Collins, former Head of Race Strategy at Aston Martin F1 and current Sky Sports F1 analyst, and Ryan McGarva, former Mercedes-AMG Petronas pit crew member and mechanic to seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton.
During the hour-long conversation, Bernie and Ryan will share behind-the-scenes insights from life in the pit lane, reflect on their careers working alongside some of the biggest names in motorsport, and discuss the split-second strategy and teamwork that shapes every race weekend – from the nutritional prep to the winners podium.
An exclusive cook and dine session with Bernie and Ryan will follow, allowing just 14 guests to make fresh ricotta-filled tortellini (inspired by the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix) alongside EFDA’s professional chefs.
Taking place on Saturday 15 August, tickets cost £95.00 for the Insights from the F1 Pit Lane conversation session or £180 for both the conversation and the cook and dine session.
Laughter on the menu: Comedy Cook Offs with The Stand Comedy Club
Combine your love of comedy with delicious food by attending a Comedy Cook Off at Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy this August.
Throughout the month, comedians will challenge each other to cook dishes live in the EFDA Demonstration Kitchen while trading their best jokes. Audience members will then get to sample the finished dishes and vote on who they think deserves to be crowned the culinary champion.
In partnership with The Stand Comedy Club, the events, hosted by Bruce Devlin, take place throughout the month of August with tickets costing just £20 per person.
For more information or to book your summer experience, visit www.efda.co.uk.
From plot to plate with EFDA & Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
This summer, Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) are partnering for a series of Gardener and Chef events, showing attendees how to make the most of home-grown garden produce.
With a shared passion for showcasing Scotland’s natural larder, the programme brings together the best of the culinary and botanical worlds. Equipping attendees with practical kitchen skills alongside a deeper understanding of seasonal planting, the events will run from 10am and combine hands-on time in the RBGE kitchen garden with live cookery demonstrations.
With dedicated sessions on both fermenting and pickling and seasonal summer cooking, attendees will leave with the skills and knowledge to create nutritious, vibrant meals and snacks at home.
Running until the end of September the events will take place at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with tickets ranging from £126 p/p to £137 p/p. More information can be found at www.rbge.org.uk.
Master the art of Scottish shortbread
Whether you’re a local resident or simply visiting Edinburgh, why not take the time this summer to master the art of Scottish shortbread?
Throughout the summer, Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy will be hosting The Wee Walk-in Shortbread Workshops, a 90-minute session offering a concise and authentic introduction to Scotland’s most iconic bake.
Create your very own Shortbread Petticoat Tails on select Thursdays during the summer period for just £50 per person.
Last but certainly not least, looking to use your summer to kick-start a new career?
Whether you’re interested in becoming a professional chef, a food and drink entrepreneur, want to learn more about the different career opportunities in the food and drink industry, or use your summer to upskill and embark on paid holidays working in ski chalets and on board private yachts, EFDA offers something for everyone.
Edinburgh Food and Drink Academy launch event
From the five-day Seasonal Chef Host Course to the 12-week Diploma in Professional Cookery, including a new evening-only class, use this summer to sign up to transform your life and embark on a culinary adventure.
