Various venues across Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival celebrates the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world. Each year, it showcases high quality Scottish and international performances to an audience of children, their schools and families.
Featuring a mix of circus, dance, music, puppetry and theatre, and with an emphasis on striking visual productions, the programme aims to inspire and engage children, from toddlers to teenagers.
Running from 30 May to 07 June 2026, this year’s festival features 15 productions from 9 different countries, and covers themes and topics including anxiety, bullying, care, co-operation, environment, grief, identity and the joy of finding your place in the world.
Highlights of the programme include:
- A fully accessible Free Family Day of pop-up performances at the National Museum of Scotland.
- A poignant dance theatre show for 8-12 year olds, Boys Don’t Dance reflects on the journey of a boy who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance.
- For 10-15 year olds, Cringe is a funny and painfully true story about surviving the minefield of growing up and standing up to bullies.
- Brrr is a new multi-sensory installation and live performance for ages 10 years and over. It features dance, sound, video and snow within the setting of a unique inflatable dome.
- For teenagers, Toto Kerblammo! Is about listening, friendship and finding hope in the darkest of places.
- Inspired by toddlers’ sense of wonder, WOW! is a physical and musical performance where colourful honeycomb paper unfolds into ever-changing worlds.
Shows take place at a variety of venues across the city, including Assembly Roxy, Studio Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre and Fruitmarket Gallery. All venues are family-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Find out more, view the full programme and book tickets on Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.
