JK Rowling wrote portions of Harry Potter at the Elephant House in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh
The Fringe and a slew of summer festivals light up the area with music, comedy, theatre and a creative vibe unparalleled in the world
Arts Events: Tips to Organize and Produce Shows
Is participating in an arts festival or big event really worth it? Artists, venues and event organisers offer sage wisdom.
Locals’ Guide to Edinburgh’s Best Brews, Views and Bites
We polled our team to find the top local picks for restaurants, pubs and attractions in Edinburgh. All spots are local tested and local approved. Enjoy.
15 Marketing Tips for Performing Artists
DIY touring artist or Fringe festival participant? Use this marketing resource guide before you plot your next production.
18 Must-Attend Festivals in Edinburgh
Whatever you’re into, chances are Edinburgh has a festival dedicated to it. August hosts a slew of festivals, including Fringe, but there’s plenty going on year-round. Whether you dig music, art, science or film, Edinburgh has a festival for you.
Fringe: Best of Times, Most Challenging Times
Layton is the creator and performer of Magdalen, a powerful one-woman show that made its original debut at the New York International Fringe Festival in the summer of 2012. Read what it was like to do Fringe for the first time.
Video Inspiration
Festival Advice for Artists
Attract Press to Your Fringe Performance
With more than two thousand performances at Fringe, landing the coveted five-star rave review from The Scotsman is like running 50 kilometers backwards. In short: extremely difficult. Read on for some pointers for attracting press to your performance.
How to Create a Fringe Budget
Edinburgh Festival Fringe may be a worthwhile investment paved with golden opportunity after opportunity … or it may be a learning experience with a hefty price tag. Here’s how to create a Fringe budget that works.
9 Tips to Fringe First-Timers from Acoustic Music Centre
The Acoustic Music Centre operates during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and showcases roots/acoustic/Celtic music at St Bride’s near Haymarket. Read to find out the founder’s tips to Fringe first-timers.
Planes, Trains and Tour Vans
Planning to take your act on a U.S. tour? Read this guide for musicians and performers touring the U.S.
How to Handle Merchandise on a U.S. Tour
On tour? Don’t forget your merchandise. Plan carefully to avoid baggage fees, customs hassles and storage issues.
Booking Tips for Musicians on U.S. Tours
Ready to take your act from the land of castles and scotch to the land of Elvis and blue jeans? Not so fast friend. Read advice on booking shows in the States.
Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Local Flavor
Venue Spotlight: Glue Factory, by the Artists for the Artists
Behind the walls of an industrial former glue factory in north Glasgow lies an unexpected surprise—an independent events space and art studio hub. Now in its sixth year, the non-profit community interest company maintains affordable work studios while occasionally leasing the rest of the building to event organizers. A risograph print maker, textile artist, sound […]
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Solas Festival, a Trans-Generational Gathering Place
Over its seven iterations, Solas Festival has morphed into a trans-generational gathering place focused on the arts and the sharing of creative ideas. Debs Hahn describes Solas as “a party, but what sets it aside … is the sharing of creative ideas, exploring them and creating a community for the weekend.”
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Top 10 Ways to Escape Edinburgh’s Festival Flocks
Escape from Edinburgh festival flocks to recharge your battery. Take road trips, beach strolls, island hops, whisky tastings or a simple scenery change.
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Get Around Edinburgh on Public Transportation
Avoid driving around Edinburgh and hop on public transportation instead—especially during festival season when the streets fill with pedestrians.
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Edinburgh, Home of the Fringe
The Fringe started in 1947 in parallel to (some say as a reaction to) the creation of the Edinburgh International Festival. Learn the interesting history of the world's largest arts festival.
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5 Unusual Edinburgh Venues
See a music act in a 100-year-old vault, haunt a (possibly) haunted pub or watch fireworks from an open-air bandstand next to a castle. Discover Edinburgh's unusual venues.
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8 Secrets to Surviving (and Thriving at) Fringe
Edinburgh in August. The crowds are thick, the weather is unpredictable and the pints are pouring. Fringe is an unforgettable experience, worthy of any bucket list, but requires preparation to prevent a poor travel experience.
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Go Coastal: Fringe by the Sea
Thanks to thick crowds and many, many cultural offerings, August in Edinburgh is overwhelming. But quieter settings and a more accessible experience is just an hour east in coastal North Berwick.
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Unicorn is Scotland’s national animal—a fantastical creature for a magical land.
Scotland has more than 700 islands, most uninhabited.
First-ever international association football match was Scotland vs. England in Partick. Final score? 0-0.
Infographics
How to Navigate Edinburgh’s Summer Festivals
When your feet hit the ground in Edinburgh during August, be prepared to start moving. Navigate Edinburgh's summer festivals with ease, from the first show you see until you're ready to say so long to the city.
Get Schooled in Scottish Slang
First time in Scotland? Don’t be a daftie, a creeping Jesus or a bam or you might take a dunt to the head. Say what? Brush up on your Scottish slang before your trip, so you don't have to wonder whether you were just insulted or complimented.
Meet our team
Need help? Planning a Fringe, arts or any UK event? Get expert support from our concierge crew. See our writers and contributors.
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