Hogmanay, live music

Music festivals in Edinburgh

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….



Murrayfield South Stand Entrance
1.

Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

Get ready for a spectacular range of concerts at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in 2025! Don’t miss out on the highly anticipated Robbie Williams performing on 31 May, and Oasis from 08 to 12 August, who promise the concert of a decade. Finally, AC/DC on the 21 August isn’t one to miss.

Experience seeing these world-class artists grace the stage, delivering unforgettable performances.


Logo for Campfire Country Music Festival
2.

Campfire Country Festival

Get ready for a boot-stompin’ good time at this year’s Campfire Country Music Festival – an all-day, family-friendly celebration of country music, fun and adventure under the big open sky!

With live music all day including local rising stars or tribute acts featuring: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Taylor Swift, Zach Bryan, Post Malone, Johnny Cash and more!

Taking place at the Royal Highland Centre, step into the carnival with thrilling rides, classic games, and family-friendly entertainment for all ages!

23 May 2025.


Logo image of Beatmasters Festival
3.

Beatmasters Festival

Get ready to turn back the clock for the most epic day and night of pure nostalgia! Beatmasters is bringing the 90s and 00s back with the biggest throwback anthems, live tribute acts, and DJ sets keeping the energy high all day and night.

With retro cocktails, pop-up bars, glitter stations and merch markets, to food trucks and snack bars, this is your chance to relive the ultimate eras.

24 May 2025.


We Love It Festival Logo of a heart with a guitar
4.

We Love It Festival

Get ready for an unforgettable day of music, dancing, and fun as you experience the ultimate tribute festival celebrating the greatest rock and pop legends of all time!

Expect amazing tribute bands, food trucks and local vendors, family areas, relaxing areas and dancing and fun for everyone!

25 May 2025.


© Hidden Door
Group of people dancing in front of band performing on stage.
5.

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 takes 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.

11 to 15 June 2025.


6.

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.

Sam Fender and Chappell Roan will be headlining this year.

22 to 26 June 2025.


7.

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!

25 to 29 June 2025.

 


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.

11 to 20 July 2025.


The Garden Party logo
9.

The Garden Party

The Garden Party is a space where curious kids and adventurous adults can come together to celebrate music, creativity, and the joy of being outdoors. This family-friendly festival is more than just an event—it’s a vibrant community experience filled with live music, mesmerising performances, and uplifting wellness activities designed to inspire and connect people of all ages.

From enchanting magicians and dynamic dance sessions to hands-on crafting and storytelling, every corner of the festival is crafted to spark wonder and delight.

26 to 27 July 2025.


10.

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 offers 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.

July 2025.


11.

Party at the Palace

Around 20 minutes by train, Party at the Palace at Linlithgow is within easy commutable distance from Edinburgh.

Saturday’s line-up includes Squeeze, Tom Meighan, Bootleg Beatles, Gun, Sleeper, Carol Decker and many more. Whilst Sunday’s line-up features artists such as Boney M, Boyzlife, The Hoosiers, Stereo MCS, GBX, The Smyths and Kevin McGuire.

2 to 3 August 2025.


12.

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 this year’s programme include Make It Happena 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.

01 to 24 August 2025.


13.

FLY Open Air

2025 sees FLY Open Air once again soaring into Edinburgh.

Taking place at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens, FLY will feature electronic dance entertainment. Some highlights from this year’s line-up includes &ME, Chaos in the CBD, Peach, Josh Baker, Effy, DJ HEARTSTRING, Sally C, and many more.

13 to 14 September 2025.

 


© Anthony Mooney
Crowd of people dancing under electronic lights.
14.

Terminal V Halloween

With 2 main stages and 21 hours of music, this Halloween themed edition of the popular Terminal V offers a spooky weekend for music lovers.

Taking place indoors at the Royal Highland Centre and featuring 30+ global artists, it looks set to welcome 10,000 people per night.

October 2025.


15.

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.


16.

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.


Harpists at Edinburgh International Harp Festival
17.

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
Crowd of people dancing under electronic lights.
18.

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.

Spring 2026 dates to be confirmed.


©Claire Loughran
Clare Sands playing at Tradfest
19.

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.

2026 dates to be confirmed.


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.


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