Spectacular Scottish festivals

Where can you party hard in a historic glen surrounding a 13th century castle? See a replica Viking ship paraded through the streets before being set on fire? Or take in art, comedy and culture at one of the most recognised art festivals in the world? The answer: Scotland, with its diverse festival scene.

Music and celebrations are at the very heart of Scotland. Whether it’s the stirring sound of traditional bagpipes, or the thumping beat of headline acts at a rock festival, this is a nation that loves to celebrate. From the Edinburgh International Festival to Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, tune in to Scotland’s best festivals.

Discover Scotland’s unique music scene

For a truly memorable experience, head to one of Scotland’s unique music festivals. There’s always a party in this northern nation, whether it’s celebrating Hogmanay, or the Edinburgh International Festival. Music has long been a part of Scotland’s heritage, from its famous bagpipes to its Celtic heart. It hosts diverse and dynamic festivals all year round, including ones held in unforgettable locations, such as the magical Kelburn Garden Party in the grounds of a painted 13th century castle and the Tiree Music Festival on a tiny unspoilt Hebridean island. So pack your bag, grab your ticket and enjoy the tunes.

Photo by: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

View of main stage at Edinburgh's Hogmanay event, with pyro displays in the background

Stand-out Scottish festivals

Photo by: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

7 – 31 August 2026

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a must-see for those visiting Scotland during August. Running since 1947, it’s known as the world’s biggest arts festival and offers almost a month-long line-up of shows and performances. With a mixture of free and paid events, featuring both big names and emerging talent, you’ll find plenty to see, do and enjoy. From comedy acts to the performing arts and beyond – there really is something for all ages. On top of the incredible shows, the festival also attracts a range of vendors, so you’re bound to also find some incredible food and drink as the festival offers something for all the senses.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Man in silver on a bicycle in costume drawing a crowd

Edinburgh International Festival

7 – 30 August 2026

Edinburgh is synonymous with its world-famous festival in August. Edinburgh International Festival hosts performances from the classical world, as well as opera, traditional and contemporary music. Running alongside it is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where you can catch cutting-edge musical acts as well as theatre and comedy.

Photo by: DF Concerts & Events

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Girl sitting on the shoulders of a guy in the crowd at TRNSMT festival

TRNSMT, Glasgow

19 - 21 June 2026

A relative newbie on the festival scene since it launched in 2017, TRNSMT has fast become a must-do Scottish music festival, with fans coming from all over the world to party over three days in June. Held at Glasgow Green, the line-up includes a mix of indie, rock and pop, with this year’s headliners including 50 Cent, Biffy Clyro and Snow Patrol.

The pick of Scotland’s festival scene

Mull Music Festival, Tobermory
23 – 26 April 2026
Bring your dancing shoes for a long weekend of toe-tapping Scottish folk music – with the odd ceilidh thrown in the mix – at the Mull Music Festival.
Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness
21 – 24 May 2026
The tip of northern Scotland comes alive with international musicians for a four-day folk music extravaganza at the Orkney Folk Festival.
Solas Festival, Perthshire
19 – 21 June 2026
World music and art meet insightful discussion and challenging debates at the inspiring Solas Festival, in the stunning Perthshire countryside.
Kelburn Garden Party, Ayrshire
2 – 6 July 2026
The magical Kelburn Garden Party brings underground sounds and a mix of music genres alongside glen walks, a waterfall pool and pop-up parties.
Tiree Music Festival, Hebrides
10 – 12 July 2026
Taking place in a spectacular location, discover three days of music celebrations at Tiree Music Festival on the unspoilt Hebridean Island.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Edinburgh
17 – 26 July 2026
Scotland loves a good party – join in the celebrations at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival with a huge street carnival.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, near Inverness
30 July – 1 August 2026
The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival has three days of wacky and exciting attractions, with previous headliners including Van Morrison and Emeli Sande.
Party at the Palace, Linlithgow
8 – 9 August 2026
Pump up the party at Linlithgow for a full-on two-day celebration in an unmissable location for Party at the Palace.
Celtic Connections, Glasgow
14 Jan – 31 Jan 2027
Celtic music engulfs the city at Celtic Connections, with more than 2,000 artists from all over the world performing concerts, ceilidhs, exhibitions and workshops.

Discover more of Scotland's unmissable festivals and events

Six uniquely Scottish music experiences

Music is part of Scotland’s soul and as well as the headline events, the nation is home to many unique musical experiences. From its legendary Hogmanay celebrations which kick off the New Year to the Piping Live! festival, here are some ideas on how to party all year round…

Photo by: Keith Valentine

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Hogmanay

Nobody celebrates New Year like the Scots, with their annual Hogmanay parties. In Edinburgh, there’s a parade, street party, ceilidh (traditional Scottish party) and concert.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

The arena at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo during a performance of the military event, parade ground and packed spectator seating.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

7 – 29 August 2026

Famous all over the world, the sights and sounds of the The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade every August are unforgettable.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Location: Loch Ness, Scotland

Men wearing kilts standing and drinking by a fireplace in a pub

Burns Night

Uniquely Scottish, Burns Night takes place on 25 January, when the life of the nation’s favourite poet is celebrated over Burns Suppers. Expect bagpipes, haggis, songs and poems – and lots of whisky.

Photo by: VisitScotland

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Torchlight Procession, part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations

Up Helly Aa

26 January 2027

This fire festival has to be seen to be believed. Up Helly Aa, which takes place on the last Tuesday in January, involves a torchlit procession of 1,000 costumed men who set fire to a replica Viking ship, then proceed to have a giant party. The largest event is Lerwick Up Helly Aa.

Photo by: Photo by John Slavin @ Designfolk Ltd

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Children's pipping band wearing kilts and yellow T-shirts play the bagpipes while marching down the street.

Piping Live!

9 – 14 August 2026

There’s nothing more Scottish than the sound of bagpipes and Piping Live! celebrates the sound of the nation over a week-long festival in Glasgow in August. Pipers range from traditional to contemporary.

Photo by: hebcelt/balach_ceol/seanharrison852/juliefowlis/elephantssessions/seasickstevemusic

Location: Stornoway, Scotland

Hebridean Celtic Festival

15 – 18 July 2026

Another unique event is the Hebridean Celtic Festival, one of Scotland’s flagship festivals which takes place on the island of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, every July.

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Film and TV

Regional Britain

Need to know

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Visas and entry

Spectacular Scottish festivals

Discover Scotland’s unique music scene

Stand-out Scottish festivals

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Edinburgh International Festival

TRNSMT, Glasgow

The pick of Scotland’s festival scene

Mull Music Festival, Tobermory

23 – 26 April 2026

Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness

21 – 24 May 2026

Solas Festival, Perthshire

19 – 21 June 2026

Kelburn Garden Party, Ayrshire

2 – 6 July 2026

Tiree Music Festival, Hebrides

10 – 12 July 2026

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Edinburgh

17 – 26 July 2026

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, near Inverness

30 July – 1 August 2026

Party at the Palace, Linlithgow

8 – 9 August 2026

Celtic Connections, Glasgow

14 Jan – 31 Jan 2027

Six uniquely Scottish music experiences

Hogmanay

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

7 – 29 August 2026

Burns Night

Up Helly Aa

26 January 2027

Piping Live!

9 – 14 August 2026

Hebridean Celtic Festival

15 – 18 July 2026

Where to find Scotland’s fantastic festivals

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