Edinburgh
Events
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Every Easter the city becomes a gigantic laboratory of discovery,
exploration and entertainment, as non-stop shows, demonstrations, hands-on
activities, workshops and exhibitions are presented to educate and astonish
all ages. The Edinburgh International Science Festival is designed to
encourage discovery about the sciences and amazing technological events,
such as outer space, our planet, the inner body and modern gadgets. Kids
can become who or what they want to be, climb inside an enormous, snotty
nostril and try to break world records, while adults can explore the
chances of survival of the human race in the 21st century.
Venue: 20 different venues around Edinburgh; the main venue for adult events is the Royal Museum, Chambers Street; Date: 25 March to 5 April 2008; Website: http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/
T in the Park
During Scotland's biggest music festival, the organisers, the
T (for Tennants) themselves enjoy boasting that the festival becomes
Scotland's sixth biggest city over the weekend. Headliners this year
include Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Razorlight, The Killers, Babyshambles,
Scissor Sisters and Kasabian.
Venue: Balado; Date: 6-8 July 2007; Website: http://www.tinthepark.com/
Edinburgh Festival
Widely held to be one of the most important celebrations of
the arts in the world, the Edinburgh International Festival is now more
than 50 years old, and is held every year during the summer months. Artists,
performers, musicians, writers and anyone else wishing to partake flood
the city from all over the world, and it is well advised to book accommodation
beforehand. Almost every public venue in the city turns into a theatre
or gallery during the summer, and visitors often find it difficult to
choose what to see and do. A short stroll down the Royal Mile will reveal
a crowd of performers giving free previews of their shows to help visitors
make up their minds.
Venue: The Hub, Castle Hill; Date: 8-31 August 2008; Website: http://www.eif.co.uk/
Edinburgh
Fringe Festival
Part of the greater Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe
Festival is one of the world’s largest and most famous art festivals,
which had its beginning when unofficial theatre groups set up their shows
around the fringes of the main festival in 1947. Unlike the official festival,
performers do not need to undergo a selection process to take part, and
as a result it attracts a huge diversity of entertainers with hundreds
of shows expressing a wide range of cultural and artistic performances.
Venue: Various; Date: 3-25 August 2008; Website: http://www.edfringe.com/
Edinburgh Mela
The Mela (meaning ‘get-together’ or ‘celebration’ in
Sanskrit) is Scotland’s biggest intercultural festival and was
founded by Edinburgh’s Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi communities
to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity, with the emphasis on
South Asia. It presents a dazzling display of music, dance, art and crafts,
fashion, food, sports and activities for the whole family.
Venue: Pilrig Park; Date: 30-31 August 2008; Time: 12pm to 10pm; Website: http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Every year the gardens are transformed into an enchanting tented
village that is home to the biggest and most animated literary event
in the world. The International Book Festival has a varied programme
for adults and children, including debates and discussions, writing workshops,
book signing and story telling, and gives book lovers the chance to meet
their favourite authors, discover new writers and buy books.
Venue: Charlotte Square Gardens; Date: 9-25 August 2008; Website: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
A celebration of live oral storytelling where Scottish and international
storytellers share an exciting array of folk and fairy tales from around
the world. In 2007 themes include the Scotish Highlands and the African
Lowlands. Events for adults and children take place at top visitor attractions
in and around Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle, Trinity House and
the Scottish Storytelling Centre.