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Fringe leaflets in Assembly Rooms reception

Festival time with us

 

August is widely renowned as peak season in Edinburgh. Thanks to the Fringe Festival and the city’s close ties with the arts and performance, it really is the place to be. Across our venues, we are delighted to welcome back performers from all over the world. With a wide range of shows spanning all ages and interests, we’re confident there’s something for everyone.


Assembly Rooms


First up, Assembly Festival returns to Assembly Rooms on George Street, where comedy giants like Jack Dee, Reginald D Hunter and Kyla Cobbler are guaranteed to leave you chuckling. We are also delighted to be hosting Julian Clary’s Edinburgh Fringe comeback after 17 years, as well as fan-favourite, Sunshine on Leith, returning on a larger scale. While you’re there, why not stop by our vibrant West Lane Bar for a drink before the show, or simply to escape the crowds outside.




Usher Hall


Next up, Usher Hall is thrilled to welcome back Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), with back-to-back classical concerts throughout August. Highlights include performances from superstar pianist Yuja Wang, as well as a rendition of Richard Strauss’s audacious opera, Strauss’s Elektra. Further still, EIF are offering a free choir workshop giving the opportunity to sing with a world-class conductor and orchestra. What’s more, if you’re looking for a break from the busy city centre, EIF also has performances at the beginning and end of the festival at our wonderful Church Hill Theatre in Morningside, which is recognised as one of Scotland’s most important non-professional performance spaces.




City Art Centre


Down at the City Art Centre, the Sandra George exhibition forms part of the Edinburgh Art Festival. A prolific social documentary photographer and community arts worker, her pictures offer a vivid and deeply personal insight into her remarkable life and work, which spans political activism, social justice, and the joys of childhood and family. As well as this, the Royal Scottish Academy are presenting Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy, a free exhibition highlighting her vision and generosity, showcasing a selection of historic and contemporary artwork.




Ross Bandstand


Finally, we have the Ross Bandstand, which takes centre stage in the heart of Princes Street Gardens’ sweeping grounds, with Edinburgh Castle providing a majestic backdrop. During the festival period, the venue will play host to the Neighbourgood Gardens, which features independent, Scottish food and drink traders, as well as daily performances by visiting groups and artists at the bandstand, enhancing the city’s most iconic outdoor venue.



Wherever your festival plans take you, there’s plenty to discover across our venues this August. Whether you’re catching a world-class performance, exploring an exhibition, or simply enjoying a drink in between shows, we look forward to welcoming you along to celebrate the arts in our vibrant city, helping you make the most of festival season!