Our Edinburgh Festivals guide and great accommodation deals

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Each year the Edinburgh International Festival stages one of the greatest celebrations of the arts, attracting audiences from around the world to the city's thrilling atmosphere. A unique opportunity to experience the excitement of live performance by internationally renowned artists as well as the joy of discovering new and unfamiliar works

One of the International Festival's highlights is the huge open air concert held in Princes Street Gardens, accompanied by a massive firework display from the castle ramparts. This event takes place on the final day of the Festival and is essentially the closing ceremony - but best of all, it is free. The Edinburgh International Festival is held annually from mid-August to early September. And whilst the Festival is naturally a great time to visit Edinburgh, it is also worth remembering that accommodation is booked out months in advance so make sure you get your hotel sorted before you arrive!

Visit the Edinburgh Festival web site

The International Festival isn't Edinburgh's only calendar event - it is also home to Festival Fringe, Hogmanay, Book, Film, Jazz & Blues, Science, Children's festivals and the Military Tattoo

Together with its counterparts, the Book, the Jazz, the Fringe and the Film Festivals, the Edinburgh International Festival forms what is now widely regarded as the biggest and best arts festival in the world

More about all the great Edinburgh Festivals

Sporting events

Football enthusiasts from all over Scotland, and further afield, make regular pilgrimages to watch the best of Scottish football at the immortalised grounds of Tynecastle and Easter Road, homes to Heart of Midlothian FC and Hibernian FC respectively. Rugby enthusiasts flock to the city each year to Murrayfield Stadium and the Six Nations Rugby Internationals

More about sporting events in Edinburgh