Every year Edinburgh opens its doors to visitors to enjoy the Military Tattoo, the Fringe, Book Festival, International Festival and Film Festival.

During the summer monthsScotland’s capital throws off its grey northern image and becomes a festival city.

The Edinburgh Festival is in fact an umbrella term for a number of independent annual festivals which ensure that Edinburgh is packed with visitors and performers from around the world.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

3-25 August 2008

Ticket and programme details available from 5 June 2008

In 2007, over 1.6 million tickets were sold, there were 31,000 performances of over 200 shows in 250 venues around the city that included: theatres, halls, pubs, clubs and almost anywhere performers and an audience could get together.

More than any other festival, the Fringe, which is the largest of the festivals, brings colour, atmosphere and a slightly manic quality to life in Edinburgh during August.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

25 July – 3 August 2008

Among the performers in 2008 are Phil Mason’s New Orleans All Stars and old favourites Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

1-23 August 2008

An amazing spectacle played out on the esplanade and ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.

Look forward to the massed pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments, the Golden Eagles university marching band from Missouri and a detachment from the Ghurkha pipes and drums. There will be Highland dancers from Scotland and for the first time a Highland dance troupe from Canada. Other performers will come from Norway, Singapore, and New Zealand.

It is a truly magnificent event!

Edinburgh International Book Festival

9-25 August 2008

The Edinburgh International Book Festival, which is held in Charlotte Square Gardens, regularly attracts the cream of British and international writing.

Tickets and programme details will be available from June 2008

Edinburgh International Festival

8–31 August 2008

The Edinburgh International Festival brings to the city a superb offering of classical music, opera, dance, theatre and much more.

Programme details available 2 April 2008

Edinburgh International Film Festival

18-29 June 2008

A chance to see work from new British talent, together with world-class animation, experimental work, documentaries and work from top directors.

Programme details available from 7 May 2008.

Further information:

During the summer months, August particularly, Edinburgh is packed with visitors from around the world.

If you are planning to visit to any of the festivals mentioned BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION NOW.

Transport:

Edinburgh airport is located on the west of the city and receives flights from many European destinations.

Long haul flight transfers come from London, Manchester and Glasgow.

Rail travel: Waverley Station is located in the centre of the city and receives passengers from around Britain.

Car: If you are arriving by car, please note parking is very difficult in Edinburgh.

Useful websites:

for information about all the Edinburgh Festivals

www.edinburgh-festivals.co.uk/

Visit Scotland

Scotland's official tourist board web site, a guide to travel accomodation and more.

http://www.visitscotland.com/http://