Edinburgh is such a vibrant and exciting city with events all year long. We have listed a few that may be of interest to locals and visitors alike.
Barcabeat R&B Festival
When: 31st July - 31st August 2008 Where: WHISKI Bar
Barcabeat R&B Festival featuring Nick Johnson & Edinburgh's own Bluefinger will stage a series of live shows in the WHISKI Bar from 31st July, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, culminating in a finale on 31st August. All shows are FREE and start from 10PM. Join us at the WHISKI Bar for an amazing atmosphere and some seriously cool, rocking vibes with Nick and Bluefinger. Other events including free whisky tastings featuring Bulliet Bourbon are amongst other features being held in the bar during August.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
When: 3rd - 25th August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
The world's biggest celebration of the arts takes over Edinburgh for three weeks in August in a massive explosion of cultural and artistic expression. The programme is a vibrant mix of art forms - theatre, comedy, music and musicals, dance, events and exhibitions and children's shows, all attracting up-and-coming talent and established names from around the world to take part in this most famous of festivals. Read more about this event
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
When: 1st - 23rd August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
Scotland's stunning annual outdoor military spectacular set against the magnificent backdrop of EdinburghCastle. The Tattoo has been called the most spectacular show in the world and is seen by an international TV audience of 100 million every year. But there's no substitute for being there, as part of the 217,000-strong audience over its three-week season on the Esplanade at EdinburghCastle. Read more about this event
Edinburgh Art Festival
When: 31st July - 31 August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Art Festival returns for its fifth year, showcasing a diverse and vibrant programme of visual arts exhibitions and events. Over 35 galleries, institutions and artist-led organisations took part last year. Highlights included exhibitions of Picasso, Andy Warhol, William Blake and Turner shortlist nominee Nathan Coley.
Whiski will be showcasing some specially commissioned art that we have displayed in the bar for sale, all original oil paintings of distilleries, the Tattoo and the bar to name but a few examples, make sure to pop in to see them. Read more about this event
Festival of Spirituality and Peace
When: 3rd - 24th August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
Previously part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace is a three-week programme of dialogue and creative events focused on a central theme every year. This year, ther theme is 'Wellbeing'. Read more about this event
Edinburgh International Book Festival
When: 9th - 25th August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
The world's biggest book festival features a varied and exciting programme for adults and children. Come along and meet your favourite authors from around the world, join in discussions, hear readings and lectures, and take part in debates and workshops, all in one of Edinburgh's most beautiful spaces, CharlotteSquareGardens. Read more about this event
Festival of Politics
When: (Dates tbc) Where:Edinburgh
This successful new festival allows people to come face to face with well-known names from the worlds of politics, media and the arts in a range of stimulating events that explore how politics touches all our lives. Read more about this event
T on the Fringe Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where:Edinburgh
With over 120 artists playing throughout August in across Edinburgh, T on the Fringe is THE contemporary music strand of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Read more about this event
Edinburgh Mela
When: 25th - 31st August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
Melas first came to Britain from the Indian sub-continent in the late eighties, and since 1995 the Edinburgh Mela has brought together many aspects of south Asian traditions and those of other cultures into a modern Scottish environment. Asian music, performance and dance feature alongside traditional artforms, crafts for sale and a chance to mingle with people from Scotland and abroad. Read more about this event
Edinburgh International Festival
When: 8th - 31st August 2008 Where:Edinburgh
One of the greatest celebrations of the arts, the Edinburgh International Festival offers 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. A rich programme of classical music, theatre, opera and dance is staged in major theatres and concert halls and smaller venues around the city over a three-week period in late summer. Read more about this event
Scottish Food Fortnight
When: 6th - 21st September 2008 Where:Countrywide
A celebration of Scottish Food and drink, promoting the benefits of fresh,
seasonal produce for Scottish people.
Visit the WHISKI bar on WHISKI Wednesday's.
Sample a FREE dram of scotch whisky every Wednesday evening during Scottish Food Fortnight with each main meal purchased. WHISKI specialises in freshly prepared Scottish food made using the very best local produce. Read more.
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
When: 2nd - 5th October 2008 Where:St Andrews, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns, Fife
A 72-hole stroke play pro-am tournament played over three of the world's most spectacular links courses and featuring some of the best golfers in the world, together with A-list names from the fields of sport and entertainment. Read more about this event
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festivals
When: 17th - 19th October 2008 Where:Edinburgh
This is an annual event dedicated to the promotion of adventure through films, lectures and exhibitions. The Festival aims to entertain, enlighten and inspire and also offers film-makers the rare opportunity to showcase their exciting work. Read more about this event
International Scottish Storytelling Festival
When: 24th October - 2nd November 2008 Where:Edinburgh, Lothian & the Borders
A celebration of live oral storytelling, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival sees Scottish and international storytellers share an exciting array of folk and fairy tales from around the world. For all ages. Read more about this event
Edinburgh's Christmas
When: 27th November - 25th December 2008 Where:Edinburgh
One of Europe's finest Christmas festivals returns with a month-long programme bringing warmth and festive cheer to Edinburgh as the city transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland. Activity is centred around the world-renowned PrincesStreetGardens. With a glittering choice of festive celebrations, chic shopping and fine dining set against the shimmering backdrop of this historic city - at Christmas, Edinburgh sparkles. Plans for this year's festivities are well underway. Expect the return of Edinburgh's Christmas favourites such as The Light Night, the Traditional German Christmas Market, Santa's ReindeerGarden, The Edinburgh Wheel, The Great Scottish Santa Run and Winter Wonderland, plus lots of surprises that make Edinburgh's Christmas the ultimate festive experience. Read more about this event
Fiddle 2008
When: (Dates tbc) Where:Edinburgh
Scotland's premier fiddlefest is back and Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms will be jumping to the foot-tapping rhythms of some of the finest players around. With lively recitals, talks, workshops, sessions and ceilidhs. Read more about this event