What’s on in Edinburgh this August

Edinburgh in August is a hive of activity, with excited festival-goers spoilt for choice at the cultural attractions on offer. Our ‘what’s on in Edinburgh this August’ edit was never going to be a short read, so grab a drink, take a seat, and make sure you don’t miss a thing!

The Edinburgh International Festival is the best known of the summer festivals, offering a menu of world class opera, classical music, and theatre, but its raucous younger sibling The Festival Fringe has become even more popular. For those fond of a spectacle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo promises ‘the greatest show on earth’, as military bands from all over the world entertain and delight against the stunning backdrop of the Castle.

Amidst the hubbub, it’s easy to overlook August’s quieter attractions, such as Edinburgh Art Festival and Edinburgh Book Festival.

With so much going on, and limited time, how do you distinguish the unmissable from the unremarkable? We’ve explained each of the Summer Festivals, as well as hand-selecting some August highlights. If you don’t want to miss a thing, browse our what’s on in Edinburgh this August content below.

Have we missed your August event? Get in touch to tell us about it and it could be featured in these pages.