The Scottish capital is set to come alive this month as it welcomes both the Edinburgh International and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals to the area, making it the ideal time to get out and explore some culture in one of the most scenic cities our island has to offer.
Edinburgh International Festival
Founded in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has developed into the most important vehicle for bringing the performing arts and their cultural, educational and economic benefits to every cross-section of society across Edinburgh and Scotland.
The festival will welcome some of the most outstanding artists from around the globe, making it the most innovative and accessible festival of the performing arts around the world. On show for all to enjoy will be theatre, dance, music and opera, so make sure you get involved for an illuminating, interactive and truly magical experience.
Shows not to miss at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival include the BBC Scottish Symphony’s performance of Holt’s The Planets; the tantalising Ganesh Versus the Third Reich play where Ganesh travels to take back the swastika and I AM, a stunning dance performance exploring the legacy of the First World War.
The Edinburgh International Festival runs from 8-31 August and you can view the full itinerary here.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival – the largest arts festival in the world – is already underway in the city and runs up until August 25th. Each year, the Fringe Festival attracts thousands of performers to its hundreds of stages which cover shows to suit all tastes.
Theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word and exhibitions all have their place in the event , which was born in 1947 when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival. Not having a place on the official programme didn't stop them though, and year on year more similar groups turned up to perform on the ‘Fringe of the Festival’.
This year’s highlights include Jeremy Paxman’s hour-long show about beards, underpants and the human condition; George RR Martin’s talk on the inspiration for his Game of Thrones books and their adaptation to TV and a one-man Breaking Bad show performed by Australian comedian Miles Allen.
All in all, there’s going to be plenty to see and do in Edinburgh over the coming month and hundreds of thousands of spectators are set to flock to the city to dabble in the culture.
If you are one of those lucky people, why not check out our Cruise Edinburgh store at 94 George Street, EH2 3DF.