Edinburgh Festival Calendar 2025: Events You Can’t Miss – And Where to Stay with Edlets
Edinburgh is truly the Festival City. With world-famous events running almost all year long, the Scottish capital offers something for every taste—from science and theatre to storytelling, jazz, and fireworks. Whether you’re planning a family holiday, cultural getaway, or once-in-a-lifetime Hogmanay celebration, you’ll want to stay close to the action.
That’s where Edlets comes in. With a wide range of holiday apartments, homes, and festival-friendly accommodation across Edinburgh, we make it easy to find the perfect place to stay for any festival, in any season.
Here’s your month-by-month guide to the best of Edinburgh’s festivals in 2025—and how Edlets can help you book your ideal base.
Edinburgh Science Festival
📅 5–20 April 2025
One of the world’s most popular science festivals, this 2-week celebration of ideas, technology, and discovery is ideal for families and curious minds alike. Expect interactive exhibitions, coding workshops, space exploration demos, and engaging events for kids and adults.
Stay with Edlets:
With many Science Festival venues located around the city centre, Leith, and Southside, Edlets offers stylish family-friendly flats and apartments just minutes from the action. Whether you want something walkable to the City Art Centre or a quiet base near The Meadows, we’ve got you covered.
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
📅 24 May–1 June 2025
This vibrant festival showcases the best in children’s theatre and dance from around the world. Tailored for young audiences, the performances are creative, inclusive, and often delight adults just as much as kids.
Stay with Edlets:
Book one of our family apartments near Inverleith, Leith, or New Town—close to theatres, green spaces, and public transport. Edlets makes travelling with children easy, with self-catering options and flexible stays for families of all sizes.
Leith Festival
📅 14–22 June 2025
A much-loved celebration of community and culture, the Leith Festival is all about music, art, comedy, and local pride. Gala Day at Leith Links kicks things off with live entertainment, food stalls, and a fantastic family atmosphere.
Stay with Edlets:
This is our home turf. Edlets has a range of stylish properties right in the heart of Leith—whether you want a waterside penthouse or a cosy flat steps from the Links, we can place you right at the centre of this creative, buzzing neighbourhood.
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
📅 11–20 July 2025
From intimate gigs in candlelit bars to free open-air concerts on Princes Street, this festival draws incredible talent from across the globe. Expect everything from swing and soul to funk and New Orleans jazz.
Stay with Edlets:
Jazz venues are scattered across the city—Old Town, New Town, and even Leith. Edlets helps you find accommodation near the best venues so you can enjoy late-night gigs and early brunches without commuting across town.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
📅 1–23 August 2025
A spellbinding spectacle of music, precision, and pageantry, the Tattoo takes place nightly on the Castle Esplanade. Bagpipes, drummers, dancers, fireworks—it’s one of Scotland’s most iconic experiences.
Stay with Edlets:
Accommodation near the Royal Mile books up fast. Edlets offers central apartments in Old Town and West End so you can stroll to the Castle in under 10 minutes—and enjoy a peaceful night afterwards.
Edinburgh International Festival (EIF)
📅 1–24 August 2025
EIF brings the world’s leading artists in opera, classical music, theatre and dance to Edinburgh. Expect world premieres, breathtaking performances, and a sophisticated cultural crowd.
Stay with Edlets:
We recommend elegant apartments in New Town or near Bruntsfield and Marchmont—quiet yet convenient. Edlets properties offer comfort and space for longer stays, ideal for festival-goers attending multiple shows.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
📅 1–25 August 2025
The biggest arts festival on the planet, the Fringe is wild, unpredictable and utterly brilliant. With over 3,000 shows in 300+ venues, it’s a whirlwind of comedy, theatre, drag, dance, storytelling and everything in between.
Stay with Edlets:
We specialise in Fringe accommodation! From student flats for performers to central apartments for families and groups, Edlets offers flexible stays right in the heart of the Fringe madness. Book early—August is peak season!
Edinburgh Art Festival
📅 7–24 August 2025
Running alongside the other August festivals, this celebration of visual art takes you on a journey through exhibitions, artist commissions, and gallery trails. A more contemplative counterpoint to the Fringe.
Stay with Edlets:
Art Festival venues are located throughout the city centre. With Edlets, you can stay in stylish flats near Stockbridge or New Town and enjoy easy access to galleries, cafés and quiet green spaces.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
📅 9–24 August 2025
The world’s biggest celebration of books and ideas, the Book Festival brings together authors, thinkers and readers for talks, debates, and workshops. A must for literature lovers.
Stay with Edlets:
Book Festival events are based in central Edinburgh, making our New Town and West End apartments ideal. Whether you’re attending solo or with family, we have accommodation to suit your pace.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF)
📅 14–20 August 2025
A showcase for fresh filmmaking talent and world cinema, EIFF is one of the longest-running film festivals in the world. Expect international premieres, Q&As, and red carpet moments.
Stay with Edlets:
If you’re a film buff or industry guest, stay near festival venues like Filmhouse or Cameo. Edlets offers private flats with workspaces, ideal for professionals attending screenings or networking events.
Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival
📅 22 October–1 November 2025
This magical autumn event celebrates the spoken word, oral tradition and storytelling from around the globe. Think fireside tales, folklore, poetry and performance in cosy historic venues.
Stay with Edlets:
Book a character-filled flat in the Old Town or Southside for a truly atmospheric stay. Edlets offers snug autumn-ready homes with charm, warmth, and proximity to storytelling venues.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
📅 30 December 2025–1 January 2026
Ringing in the New Year in Edinburgh is a bucket-list experience. With street parties, concerts, ceilidhs, and midnight fireworks above the Castle, Hogmanay is legendary.
Stay with Edlets:
Our city centre apartments put you right at the heart of the celebration. Enjoy the festivities and retreat to your own warm, private space—no taxi queues, no crowded hotels. Book early: demand is huge!
✨ Why Book with Edlets?
✅ Local expertise – We’ve been helping guests find homes in Edinburgh since 2004
🏡 Wide choice – Flats, homes, penthouses and performer-friendly stays
💬 Real people – Friendly, responsive support from Edinburgh locals
📍 Stay near the action – Location-specific listings close to each festival
🔐 Safe & secure – Trusted by guests and owners alike
Whether you’re visiting for the Fringe, the Book Festival, or Hogmanay fireworks, Edlets can help you find the perfect place to stay. With properties across Leith, the Old Town, New Town, and beyond, we make sure you’re never far from the heart of the festival.
👉 Browse festival accommodation now at www.edlets.com and plan your 2025 Edinburgh escape today!