Tag: 2025 programme announced

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay launches music and comedy programme with Scottish talent topping the bill

2MANYDJS, VALTOS AND HAYLEY ZALASSI TAKE OVER STREET PARTY

ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB WELCOMES VIC GALLOWAY’S VITAMIN C CLUB NIGHT, SUSIE MCCABE, LARRY DEAN AND MORE, AS WELL AS RETURN OF TRADITIONAL CEILIDHS

PLUS, ST.GILES’ WELCOMES LAU FOR SPECIAL CANDLELIT CONCERT

TICKETS ON SALE VIA www.edinburghshogmanay.com from TODAY

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has today announced a music and comedy programme spannning four days of the festival, with Scottish talent topping the bill across the famous Street Party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Club at the Assembly Rooms and Candlelit Concerts at St.Giles’ Cathedral. 

From electro-trad trailblazers Valtos to comedy mainstays Susie McCabe, Larry Dean and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, trad trio Lau, as well as Street Party headliners 2manydjs and more, there’s non-stop entertainment to end the year on a high at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.  

EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY STREET PARTY

Amidst the backdrop of Edinburgh’s historic skyline, the legendary Street Party will once again transform the city centre into one of the world’s largest open-air dancefloors on 31 December, bringing in the bells with the last show of 2025 and the first of 2026. 

Electronic sensations 2manydjs will headline the Party Zone, delivering a set relayed throughout Princes Street, building up to the world-famous Midnight Moment fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. 

Known for their eclectic, boundary-pushing DJ sets, the Belgian duo will take to the decks for one night only, joined by special guest DJHayley Zalassi, who will kickstart the party with one of her euphoric sets. 

Meanwhile, the Tartan Zone will spotlight homegrown talent, headlined by genre-bending Skye duo Valtos. Known for their powerful fusion of electronic soundscapes and contemporary folk, Martyn MacDonald and Daniel Docherty will set the tone for a high-energy night, joined by their full live band.

Partygoers can dance the night away to all-female folk outfit The Poozies and the upbeat Bella McNab’s Dance Band, creating one of the world’s largest ceilidh dances and spotlighting Scottish traditional music to end the year. 

Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald of Valtos said: “We are absolutely delighted to be asked to perform at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party this year.

“The Street Party is iconic worldwide and the opportunity to showcase our sound (and the sound of Scotland) to locals, and visitors alike, fills us with much excitement. The only thing blowing the roof off this year will be Valtos!”

ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB

Some of Scotland’s leading comedians join the Hogmanay festivities this year with a night of non-stop laughs at Ho Ho Hogmanay on 30 December, featuring award-winning comedy from Larry Dean, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and more. 

A stellar bill of Scottish acts will take to the stage including one of the UK’s leading comics and three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Larry Dean and, following a completely sold out Edinburgh Fringe run, Glaswegian stand-up Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, plus Edinburgh local and rising star Ayo Adenekan, with the night hosted by comedy legend Susie McCabe.  

Susie McCabe said: “New Year is such a brilliant time to be in Edinburgh, and a night of comedy at the Assembly Rooms is the perfect starter before the main event on Hogmanay night!”

Assembly Rooms will also host a special opening-night takeover with Vic Galloway’s Vitamin C Club Night on 29 December, following the annual Torchlight Procession. Curated and hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band), this spectacular night of live music will feature live music from local indie-rock band waverley. and a DJ set from Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai fame, for non-stop dancin’, a night of rock’n’roll, psych, cosmic disco, soul, funk and rarities – and everyone is invited. 

The festival’s beloved foot-stompin’ ceilidhs also return, inviting revellers of all ages to dance their way into the New Year in true Scottish style.

An annual sell-out, the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club returns for an afternoon of family fun on 31 December with the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, whilst the late-night Hogmanay Ceilidh Club invites guests to dress to impress and take to the dancefloor for a night of high-energy ceilidh in traditional Hogmanay fashion, featuring Scotland’s best live ceilidh bands across two dancefloors with Ceilidhonia, Teannaich, Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, and Bodhran Bodhran, delicious whisky tasting and a raucous countdown to midnight and Auld Lang Syne.  

CANDLELIT CONCERTS 

In the Old Town, the beloved Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral returns on Hogmanay night, offering an evening of musical reflection in one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric settings.  

This year’s concert marks the arrival of 2026 with works from classical giants Bach and Mozart, performed by the St. Giles’ Cathedral Choir, directed by new Master of Music Jack Oades, along with the St. Giles’ Camerata, and a stunning array of talented young soloists. 

Brand new for 2025, St. Giles’ is also the setting for an intimate candlelit performance from acclaimed folk trio Lau on 30 December. Lau by Candlelight sees some of traditional music’s most celebrated innovators Kris Drever (guitar, vocals), Martin Green (accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle), strip away their banks of electronics, loops and wild effects, for a performance less about spectacle and more about close listening and reflection. 

These newly announced shows further expand a four-day programme that already features Grammy Award-winners Wet Leg at the Concert in the Gardens, joined by Scots favourites Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.  

Scottish music legends Peat & Diesel headline the Night Afore Concert on 30 December, performing a barnstorming set underneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, with support from Scottish accordion sensation RuMac. 

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is always an unforgettable experience, and 2025 promises to be another year to remember.

“With a fantastic four-day festival lined up for the celebrated Street Party, there’s no better place in the world to welcome the New Year.

“This year’s programme truly offers something for people of all ages – whether you’re dancing to DJ sets from international icons like 2MANYDJs and local favourite Hayley Zalassi or enjoying the family-friendly fun of the beloved Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club.

“I have no doubt this will be one of the most memorable Hogmanay celebrations yet. It’s not to be missed.”

Directors of Unique Assembly, who create and produce the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival said: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil the next wave of events, with a feast of live music, ceilidhs and comedy across four days of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

“From rising stars to much-loved mainstays of the cultural scene, these artists and events promise to light up every corner of the city, from the exhilarating Street Party, the hilarious Ho Ho Hogmanay and our raucous traditional ceilidhs, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.” 

Tickets for all events on sale from 12pm Friday 24 October, via www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland. 

Follow Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on social media – Facebook and Instagram.  

Edinburgh Diwali 2025 programme announced

10 years of uniting communities, celebrating diversity

Edinburgh city centre will be awash with colour on Sunday 2nd November as Edinburgh Diwali marks 10 years of uniting communities and celebrating diversity.

The annual celebration, which was launched in 2015 by the Lord Provost and Indian diaspora of Edinburgh, kick starts the city’s winter festivities with a vibrant parade and performance programme in central Edinburgh.

President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh looked forward to this year’s event saying: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”

The fun begins at St Andrew Square, where Dishoom will be serving up a warming Chai before the Lord Provost and Scottish Regiment Band lead a colourful procession of over 150 performers and community representatives through Edinburgh’s New Town.

Displays of traditional Indian dance and culture will bookend the parade, with demonstrations from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew. The Glencorse Pipe Band will be keeping the beat along the parade, while Edinburgh’s South American community join in with demonstrations from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.

Following the parade, celebrations move to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance planned at the Ross Bandstad in the foothills of Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.

Throughout the afternoon, Edinburgh’s leading classical Indian dance school, Nikkan Dance Academy will tell the story of Diwali through nine different forms of dance, while Alhalya demonstrate the intricate footwork and dynamic gestures and expressive gestures of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance known for its dynamic rhythms. Celebrating more modern Indian culture, Edinburgh’s own Udaan and Bollyfeat perform some of the best contemporary Bollywood fusion.

Closing the day’s performances, the UK’s premier Bollywood Rock Band, Shoonya, will headline with an electrifying performance before a fireworks finale lights up Edinburgh’s city skyline for the first time in 2025.

Based in London, Shoonya draws from the varied musical influences of its members, including traditional Bollywood songs, Indian and western classical, blues, alt-rock, and grunge for a high-octane show that’s not to be missed.

Remarking on the 10th anniversary of the event, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Diwali is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide and we’re proud to bring this exciting tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital.

“Diwali is a family-friendly celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary.

“With a colourful parade, live performances, and spectacular fireworks, it’s a joyful occasion that will bring community together and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the festival of lights.”

Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik said: “Diwali is a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

“It reminds us of the enduring power of truth, compassion, and goodwill to illuminate our lives. The spirit of Diwali continues to inspire and bring together people across the world.

“I am delighted that Edinburgh Diwali 2025 will once again bring these timeless values to life in the heart of this beautiful city on 2nd November 2025.

“The vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and enthusiastic community participation reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that exist between India and Scotland.

“I warmly congratulate the team of Edinburgh Diwali and the City of Edinburgh Council for their dedicated efforts in promoting cultural understanding and tradition through this remarkable celebration over the past ten years.

“I look forward to joining everyone in celebrating this joyous occasion and sharing in the festive spirit of Diwali.”

Edinburgh Diwali President, Rajnish Singh added: “We also express our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone.

“A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.

“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

“We warmly invite residents and visitors of Edinburgh to join us on Sunday 2nd November with your family and friends, for a spectacular afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and a breathtaking fireworks finale.”

Edinburgh Diwali 10th anniversary celebration will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 2nd November 2025. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in this family-friendly festival of light.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit 

edinburghdiwali.co.uk or facebook.com/edinburgh.diwali.

Push the Boat Out Poetry festival returns with a full programme

PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED ON NATIONAL POETRY DAY

Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival, Push the Boat Out (PTBO), returns to Edinburgh this November (20–23, 2025) holding court in a new venue at the Pleasance, Edinburgh with a packed cross-art form programme promising to provoke, entertain and inspire.

The full programme is announced today Thursday 2 October, to mark National Poetry Day.  

PTBO’s 2025 programme will bring together over 120 artists for a weekend of poetry, performance, music, and art. Setting sail on three thematic streams – Poetry is Punk reminds audiences that poetry can be raw, rebellious and DIY, the Anthropocene reflects on the human impact on our planet and species whilst The Unseen World dives deep into the mystical, esoteric, and spiritual—exploring belief and imagination beyond the everyday. 

For 2025, 63 events will showcase some of the most exciting voices from Scotland and around the world. Audiences can look forward to appearances by acclaimed poets and performers including Leena Norms, Luke Kennard, Anthony Anaxagorou, Marjorie Lotfi, Zinnie Harris, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Victoria Chang, Lorna Goodison, Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Najwan Darwish, Noor Hindi, Roseanne Watt, Michael Mullen, and Scotland’s Makar, Peter MacKay, among many others.

This year’s festival launches in unforgettable style aboard Leith’s floating hotel, The Fingal, with a pre-festival event on 8 November featuring acclaimed poets Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen, who will read from their latest works: Virgin and Muckle Flugga. Celebrations continue as part of the main festival with highlights including:

  • New commissions of cross-disciplinary work from poets such as Iona Lee, Taylor Dyson, Craig Aitchison and Garry MacKenzie in association with the National Theatre of Scotland under the theme ‘Anthropocene: the Human-Altered World’.
  • Original 1980s ranting poet Tim Wells and punk slam champ Jay Mitra will get rebellious, raw and political in a night of anarchic energy with The Ranting Poets.
  • The four winners of the 2024 Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Poetry Award will premiere new collaborations co-conceived with musician Kathryn Williams, unearthing myths from the British Isles with themes of elegy, absence and joy.
  • What Now? – a new theatre collective will premiere bold new work responding to today’s geopolitical climate with new commissions from Hannah Lavery, Zinnie Harris, and William Letford. The event is supported by compelling spoken word from acclaimed poet Anthony Anaxagorou, and live music from Carla J. Easton.
  • Scots poet Len Pennie will discuss her fiercely honest new collection of poems that confront ideas of patriarchy, gender-based violence and societal injustice.
  • Two of Scotland’s standout spoken word poets, RJ Hunter and Gray Crosbie will share new work in a Scratch Night supported by an electrifying performance by Harry Josephine Giles and the Edinburgh Trans Choir.
  • Expect sublime soundscape from headliners Lord Of The Isles & Ellen Renton and Edinburgh-based poetic ensemble, Acolyte, with an alternative gig night of poetry, pedals and synths. 
  • Tinderbox Orchestra sees out the festival with a glorious finale of rappers, poets, heavy bass and drums – transforming preconceptions of what an orchestra and poetry can be.

Around town, it’s scents and sensibilities with bespoke fragrance events in partnerships with Lush Cosmetics that explore perfume, memory, and metaphor.

For the art lovers, one of Scotland’s most distinctive and internationally recognised poets, Ian Hamilton Finlay is celebrated with an exhibition that will run for the duration of the festival.

Emma Collins, Director of Push the Boat Out, said: ‘From high-energy poetry slams and late-night scratch performances, to thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive workshops, development days and genre-blurring collaborations, PTBO continues to push poetry far beyond the page. 

“We’re really looking forward to delivering this year’s programme at the Pleasance, one of Edinburgh’s most beloved festival venues and once again, the billing offers variety through its cross-art form experiences.

“The 2025 festival reaffirms its commitment to showcasing iconic poets, fresh voices, radical perspectives, and unexpected intersections between poetry and other art forms, including spoken word, music, and theatre.

“Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or a curious newcomer, there are multiple ways to engage with the poetic form via a true celebration of words on and off the page across the weekend.’

For 2025 PTBO continue their community engagement work with partners across the city, including SCOREScotland, Tinderbox Collective, Amnesty International UK, and Simon Community Scotland. For those unable to attend in person, the programme also sees a curated line-up of online workshops, discussions, five free live-streamed events and a full broadcast schedule in collaboration with EHFM radio. 

Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: “This is a creative programme that pushes the boundaries of poetry as an artform, working in the spaces where it meets music, visual art and performance.

“At its core is a diverse range of voices from across Scotland and beyond, showcasing poets at every stage of their creative journey including the likes of Gaelic language poet and National Makar, Peter MacKay, and the current Scots Language Scriever Taylor Dyson.

“Push the Boat Out brings this all into the heart of Edinburgh, inviting everyone – from curious newcomers to seasoned poetry lovers – to experience something unforgettable.”

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham, said: “Edinburgh has long been recognised as a hub of culture and creativity, and festivals like this are testament to that legacy.

“With 63 events featuring fantastic voices from Scotland and beyond, Push The Boat Out adds to the city’s diverse and thriving festival scene that we are proud to host.

“I’m very much looking forward to a weekend that brings together poetry, performance, music, and art in such an exciting way.”

The full programme and line-up can be found at: www.pushtheboatout.org   For full programme and event listing PDF – please see here

Push the Boat Out 2025_Programme DIGITALDownload

Scottish International Storytelling Festival – Programme Announced

●    International Guest Storytellers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Germany

●    Tales by Scotland’s Travelling Community 

●    Over 60 Go Local Events

●    Dark Tales for Halloween and the Brothers Grimm

TODAY (Wed 10 Sep) with support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme. 

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (22 October to 1 November 2025) organised by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), is the world’s largest annual celebration of storytelling.  

This year’s theme ‘Lights of the North’ explores Scotland’s northern identity through sharing tales from the world’s northern arc, which bridges Finland to Iceland and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland in between. 

Over the 11 days of the festival, some of the North’s most celebrated storytellers will join leading voices from Scotland to bring a feast of traditional storytelling to Edinburgh and to venues across Scotland. 

International guest storytellers including Anna-Maria Toivonen from Finland; Georgiana Keable Jerstad and Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen from Norway; Hjörleifur Stefánsson from Iceland; Jerker Fahlström from Sweden; and Suse Weisse from Germany; will share tales of Vikings, Huldufólk (or the hidden people from Iceland), trolls, the dark northern winters and some of their favourite traditional folktales.

Joining them, will be some of Scotland’s most celebrated storytellers, who will present new work themed on the ‘Lights of the North’, and their own twist on some classic tales including:

●      Of Stars, Bears and the Beginning of Time  (Wed 22 Oct) presented by storyteller Riikka Palonenand accompanied by folk musician Richard Clarke. Riikka will take audiences on a mythical journey through the celestial origin stories of the Fenno-Baltic tradition. 

●      The People of the Sea (Thu 23 Oct) inspired by David Thomson’s remarkable work about selkie myths and coastal voices told by Ruth Kirkpatrick and Colin Urwin.

●      Selkie: Past, Present, Future (Fri 24 Oct) with Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon who explore what it is to be human through three queered and reimagined selkies set in the past, present and future.

●      Land of Many Waters (Sat 25 Oct) with Eileen Budd, David McAlmont and Debbie Armour whopresent stories inspired by Scottish rivers and waters, the stories they carry and their fragile eco-system.

●      He Sits on the Rock of Joy (Sun 26 Oct) with storyteller Linda Perttula and singer-songwriter Aino Elina who combine their own teenage memories, with ancient poetry and ethereal vocals in the search for a connection to this Finnish epic.

●      Da Winters O Shetland (Sun 26 Oct) with storyteller and comedian Marjolein Robertson, who takes us on a story arc across the dark night of a Shetland winter.

●      Gullrun’s Saga: A Viking Story (Thu 30 Oct) with storyteller Svend-Erik Engh and Scottish musician Neil Sutcliffe who present an original story inspired by the Icelandic sagas.

Classic tales with a twist include: 

●      Claire Hewitt presenting the magical tale of The Swan Woman with Anna-Maria Toivonen.

●      Mark Borthwick retelling the tale of The War of the Birds.

●      Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy, Isobel O’Donovan, Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett reimagining the forgotten tale of St Enoch through the journey of four women making their lives in Glasgow.

●      Monica Madas and Erin Farley using puppetry and song to tell the epic tale of Triduana and her journey to take Saint Andrew’s bones to Scotland.

●      Tania Allan and Craig McCulloch’s take on traditional Selkie myths and the parallels between the silence and captivity found in deafness. 

The festival is also packed with rich tales and songs from Scotland’s Travelling Community that have been passed down through generations. With Jess Smith and Jimmy Williamson sharing well known tales, and Marion Kenny paying homage to Duncan Williamson with a retelling of The King and The Lamp. This year’s Alan Bruford lecture will also discuss ‘Nackens’ (Scottish Gypsy Travellers) and how their folklore gives us unique insights into Scotland’s history and placenames. This will be led by author Dr Robert Fell who will be joined by Shamus McPhee to recount a tale about Balquhidder and how it got its name. Plus, piper Gary West, author of the Martyn Bennett biography Brave New Music, hosts a live event celebrating the Traveller ballads and stories which influenced the late musician’s work.

As we edge closer to Halloween,and the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Holyrood Park, the festival embraces the dark side of storytelling with Daniel Serridge and Heather Cartwright sharing stories and songs about the unnerving and haunted corpse roads in Cumbria, where the dead passed through on the way to their graves; Anna Lehr presents Dazwischen – a tale about death, birth and what lies between; Chair of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, and celebrant, Beverley Bryant leads a workshop on Mortality and Making and how we craft conversations about death whilst participants weave willow and make decorations for coffins; and Suse Weisse in association with Goethe-Institut, shares some of the Brother Grimm’s fairy tales and tales fit for The Bewitching Season on Hallow’s Eve. 

For younger audiences and families there’s a packed programme of events over the October school holidays kicking off on Saturday 11 October, ahead of the festival’s main programme (22 Oct to 1 Nov). Family highlights include sensory storytelling fun with Fibi Cowley in A Dispute with a Butterfly told through puppetry; and sensory stories with Ailie Finlay in Tales of Cold Forests and Cosy Bears.There’s also percussive dancing from Tokyo-born stepdancer Kae Sakurai in BLOOM; a family ceilidh with the Minnow Ceilidh Band; songs and stories about dragons with Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Gaynor Barradell; and plenty of events outdoors including the return of the Botanics Storytelling Day and Macastory’s School for Skalds.

Plus, Allison Galbraith delights audiences with folk tales about our Scottish waters and will announce the winners of this year’s Words of the Wild nature writing competition run in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Also, new for 2025, three emerging storytellers present their own work themed around shame, consent and survival, in association with FEST (Federation of European Storytelling).

This year’s workshop programmeis packed with tips on telling stories including a look at using BSL in storytelling and how facial expression and movement can help bring a story to life; tech and storytelling with the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s very own inhouse expert Roddy Simpson discussing how best to present storytellers on the stage; what music can add to stories; and the ethical considerations behind using recordings and archive material.  Plus, Boglárka Klitsie-Szabad of the Hungarian Heritage House explores the rich repertoire of one of Hungary’s last traditional Roma storytellers Vilmos Csipkés; and Anna Lehr discusses classic fairy tales particularly those of the Brothers Grimm.

Throughout the festival, audiences can also enjoy relaxed Open Hearth gatherings of storytellers and musicians across four evenings in the Storytelling Centre’s Netherbow Theatre.

Go Local returns this year, with new voices from East Lothian and Shetland joining storytellers from all over Scotland throughout October and November to celebrate Scottish storytelling. From the Western Isles, to Dumfries and Galloway there will be over 60 Go Local events in this year’s programme, plus the international storytellers invited to participate in this year’s festival, will also perform in Glasgow, Kenmore, Aberfeldy and Dundee; and as guests at storytelling festivals in Orkney, Aberdeen and Dumfries and Galloway.

Finally, this year’s festival exhibition Stories Drawn from the Land, hosted at the Scottish Storytelling Centre will feature ink illustrations and ceramics by Hester Aspland, whose work is rooted in the realms of folklore, wild places, landscape and history. Hester is also the illustrator of this year’s festival programme.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said:

“The fantastic programme for this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival features something for everyone and brings together stars of Scotland’s storytelling scene with our north Atlantic neighbours to give light to dark winter nights through mystical stories and songs.

“The festival received £200,000 this year from our EXPO fund as part of a record increase in culture funding from the Scottish Government. We are proud to support this celebration of Scotland’s storytelling heritage and its important place on the world stage.”

Donald Smith, Scottish International Storytelling Festival Director said: “I’m very inspired by the chemistry of this year’s programme. Northern stories come from the forests, mountains and oceans, while drawing on an eerie imagination, surreal humour and hidden connections between human and natural spirits. Inner and outer journeys collide with unexpected magic. And Scotland is a hub and a crucible of this unique northern brew!”

Performing at today’s launch, with musician Richard Clarke, storyteller Riikka Palonen said: “This festival is a very special and exciting time for me – as a relatively recent arrival on these shores, I feel honoured to be able to present the stories from my home land, here in the land of my new home.

The stories I will be telling are rooted in the celestial origins of our northern mythology – tales born of the stars – and just as the starlight brings its glow to the darkening nights, I hope my tales can also cast a little light and wonder, if even for a short while.”

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place from Wednesday 22 October to Saturday 1 November. For those planning on attending multiple events, the Festival Supporter Pass (£24) offers discounted tickets to many festival events, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as well as a discount at the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s bookshop, Haggis Box Café and an invitation to the Festival launch event.

There will also be BSL interpretation available for D/deaf audiences at selected events.

To purchase tickets and browse the full programme, visit sisf.org.uk