Ranging from 1 day to 10 days, techno to folk, intimate to large-scale and everything in between, whatever kind of music fan you are, there’s a festival in Edinburgh for you.
Here’s our top suggestions for 2025 and beyond….
Music festival favourites
- The Scots Fiddle Festival
- Edinburgh International Harp Festival
- Terminal V Festival
- Edinburgh Tradfest
- DAYS Festival
- East Neuk Festival
- Edinburgh Castle Concerts
- Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
- Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- The Edinburgh International Festival
- Party at the Palace
- Foodies Festival
- Edinburgh Summer Sessions
- Terminal V Halloween
- Hidden Door
- FLY Open Air
- Listen Up
1.
The Scots Fiddle Festival
Since its establishment in 1996, The Scots Fiddle Festival has brought together worldwide performers to promote, sustain and celebrate traditional Scots fiddle music.
The festival takes place at the Pleasance in the city’s Old Town.
14 to 16 November 2025.
Edinburgh International Harp Festival
2.
Edinburgh International Harp Festival
The UK’s premier harping event, Edinburgh International Harp Festival is a celebration and gathering of musical talents from across the global harp community. They offer a range of concerts from soloists, duos and trios to their large ensemble.
The 44th Edinburgh Harp festival is planned to take place at George Watson’s College.
10 to 14th April 2026.
© Michael C Hunter
3.
Terminal V Festival
With a line-up of 100+ House and Techno DJs, Terminal V Festival is Scotland’s biggest electronic music festival.
Running over 2 days at the Royal Highland Centre, festival goers are entertained by some of the world’s biggest electronic music acts in a mix of both indoor and outdoor sites.
18 to 19 April 2026.
Tradfest ©Claire Loughran
4.
Edinburgh Tradfest
Showcasing the very best of traditional and folk music from Scotland and around the world, Edinburgh Tradfest’s 11-day festival also features an outstanding line up of films, dance, music, storytelling, talks, and workshops.
Performances are spread across several of the city’s venues.
01 to 11 May 2026.
5.
DAYS Festival
DAYS Festival has cemented itself as the place to be for those that are looking for something a bit different from their usual festival experience.
Over the last two editions of Days, they set a goal of providing alternative line-ups and fostering the best and most respectful crowd in the city. They continue this theme into May for their second edition of Summer Days.
With indoor and outdoor stages, food markets, merch, community and dancing!
30 May 2026.
6.
East Neuk Festival
Perfect for a day out from Edinburgh, and within easy travelling distance, the East Neuk Festival takes place across the River Forth in the Kingdom of Fife.
Founded in 2004, it regularly attracts thousands of visitors, keen to soak up a programme of live music. Events take place in the coastal towns of Crail, Anstruther, Kilrenny, St Monans and St Andrews in a range of atmospheric venues, from stately homes and gardens to churches, caves and even an ex-nuclear bunker!
1 to 05 July 2026.
7.
Edinburgh Castle Concerts
Set against the backdrop of the mighty Edinburgh Castle, concert venues don’t get more majestic than this. Normally filled with daytime visitors, the castle’s esplanade is transformed into a night-time venue for a series of concerts.
2025’s programme offered an electric mix of artists, including Kaiser Chief’s, Marti Pellow, Ludovico Einaudi, II Divo and a live orchestra performance of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
So far, 2026’s programme features Callum Beattie and Snow Patrol. Keep an eye out for future announcements!
10 to 18 July 2026.
© Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
8.
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
Now over 40 years old, the joyful and flamboyant Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals in Europe.
Attracting major international names as well as those from the growing Scottish contemporary jazz scene, visitors are able to enjoy a wide range of styles, from 1920s traditional jazz to electronic blues.
The Festival also includes the gloriously colourful Edinburgh Festival Carnival. Watch the cavalcade of dancers, acrobatics, drummers and musicians weave their way from the Mound to the west end of Princes Street, before finishing with a spectacular concert of colour and sounds.
17 to 26 July 2026.
9.
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
Get ready for a spectacular range of concerts at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in 2026! With Luke Combs on the 24 to 25 July, and Bon Jovi on the 28th, these aren’t ones to miss!
Experience seeing these world-class artists grace the stage, delivering unforgettable performances.
24 July to 28 August 2026.
© Andrew Perry
10.
The Edinburgh International Festival
Each year the Edinburgh International Festival attracts a worldwide audience of around 500,00 people to the city and is a cultural celebration of all performing arts.
Its music programme is renowned for attracting huge names from all genres. Highlights from 2025’s programme include Make It Happen, a new satirical play written, and Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito, an opera band telling a tale of political intrigue and personal jealousy. Not to mention their dance programme featuring Mary, Queen of Scots, Dance People, The Dan Daw Show and many more.
07 to 30 August 2026.
11.
Party at the Palace
Around 20 minutes by train, Party at the Palace at Linlithgow is within easy commutable distance from Edinburgh.
Some artists from 2025’s line-up included Squeeze, Tom Meighan, Bootleg Beatles, Sleeper, Carol Decke, Boney M, Boyzlife, The Hoosiers, Stereo MCS, The Smyths and Kevin McGuire.
08 to 09 August 2026.
© Foodies Festival
12.
Foodies Festival
Foodies Festival celebrates top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks and live music.
With endless activities, food stalls, and live music, this festival has it all. Keep an eye out for artist announcements.
07 to 09 August 2026.
13.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions
A fixture on Edinburgh’s music festival calendar since 2018, Edinburgh Summer Sessions will be setting up stage at the Royal Highland Centre.
2025 saw Sam Fender and Chappell Roan headline. Whilst 2026 will see The Cure and Florence + The Machine.
23 to 24 August 2026.
© Anthony Mooney
14.
Terminal V Halloween
With a huge main stage and 21 hours of music, this Halloween themed edition of the popular Terminal V offers a spooky weekend for music lovers.
2025’s event took place indoors at the Royal Highland Centre and featured amazing artists.
Beyond the main stage, you could explore additional indoor and outdoor spaces featuring bars, food, fair rides, and Halloween experiences – all combining to create Scotland’s biggest and most atmospheric Halloween celebration.
2026 dates to be confirmed.
© Hidden Door
15.
Hidden Door
A project that repurposes empty Edinburgh buildings and brings them back to life by filling them with live music, performance and art, Hidden Door is a truly unique experience for music and arts fans.
The 2025 festival took place at The Paper Factory, a former paper and cardboard manufacturing facility on the western edge of Edinburgh, which comprises warehouses, factory floors, offices and outhouses.
2026 dates to be confirmed.
16.
FLY Open Air
2025 saw FLY Open Air once again soaring into Edinburgh.
2025’s event took place at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens, and featured electronic dance entertainment. Some highlights from last year’s line-up includes &ME, Chaos in the CBD, Peach, Josh Baker, Effy, DJ HEARTSTRING, Sally C, and many more.
2026 dates to be confirmed.
17.
Listen Up
While visiting Edinburgh for a festival, have a listen to the city’s thriving online community radio station, EHFM.
Since its set up in 2018, the station broadcasts 24/7 and local presenters offer an eclectic range of shows, from underground electronic music to punk rock, spoken word and even live debates and discussions.
Guide to Live Music in Edinburgh
From small intimate bars to vast music halls, Edinburgh is home to a fantastic range of venues for music lovers.
Share
Listings on this page
-
Live music bars in Edinburgh
You don’t need to look far to find a fantastic array of live music in Edinburgh. On any given night of the week a variety of music is performed in the city’s pubs and bars.
-
Live music venues in Edinburgh
From 18th century purpose-built concert halls to former churches and sporting stadiums, Edinburgh is home to an array of top notch live music venues.
-
Nightclubs in Edinburgh
From 80s classics to techno, whatever keen of club music you’re into, Edinburgh is packed with an array of clubs where you’ll be able to dance away into the wee small hours!
-
The Edinburgh Music Map
Explore our guide to a selection of Edinburgh’s much loved music venues, bars, places of interest and record shops.