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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

The Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival to a conclusion with music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Stand-out Scottish festivals

The pick of Scotland’s festival scene

Mull Music Festival, Tobermory 

24 – 27 April 2025

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 

22 – 25 May 2025

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 

20 – 22 June 2025 

World music and art meet insightful discussion and challenging debates at the inspiring Solas Festival, in the stunning Perthshire countryside.   

 

Kelburn Garden Party, Ayrshire

3 – 7 July 2025 

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 

11 – 13 July 2025

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

11 – 20 July 2025 

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

31 July – 2 August 2025

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

2 – 3 August 2025

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

15 Jan – 1 Feb 2026

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.

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

Edinburgh Hogmanay Midnight Moment c Keith Valentine

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

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

1 – 23 August 2025

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

Men wearing kilts standing by the fireplace

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

Torchlight Procession, part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations

Up Helly Aa

27 January 2026

This fire festival has to be seen to be believed. Up Helly Aa, which takes place in Shetland 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 in Lerwick.
 

Photo by: Photo by John Slavin @ Designfolk Ltd

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

Piping Live!

11 – 17 August 2025 

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

Hebridean Celtic Festival

Hebridean Celtic Festival

16 – 19 July 2025 

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.

Where to find Scotland’s fantastic festivals

TRNSMT, Glasgow

11th - 13th July 2025

Showcasing the latest in British indie and rock music, this Glasgow-based summer festival has welcomed the likes of Sam Fender and Paolo Nutini.

Discover the sounds of TRNSMT

Photo by: DF Concerts & Events

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

On 31 December, Scotland’s capital welcomes the new year with a bang – expect Ceilidh dances, live music and fireworks.

Plan your perfect Hogmanay

Photo by: Keith Valentine

Edinburgh Hogmanay Midnight Moment c Keith Valentine
Edinburgh Hogmanay

Eden Festival

12th - 15th June 2025

Head into the woodlands for incredible headliners, a circus, gardens and cinema.

Discover more about Eden Festival

Photo by: edenfestival

Eden Festival
Eden Festival

Shetland comes alive over four days with its historic Shetland Folk Festival, celebrating local, national and international music.

Mark your calendar for the Shetland Folk Festival

Photo by: Shetland Folk Festival

Location: Highlands

Shetland Folk Festival
Shetland Folk Festival

Party on at the popular Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival on the Belladrum Estate near Inverness.

Visit the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Photo by: Paul Campbell Photography

Location: Highlands

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

The mighty Edinburgh Castle is the backdrop for this extraordinary display of military pomp and pageantry.

Watch The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Marching band and light show projecting onto the castle
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Every August, Edinburgh hosts dance, music, comedy, theatre and opera stars from all over the globe.

Discover the Edinburgh International Festival

Photo by: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival to a conclusion with music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Edinburgh International Festival

Witness an explosion of creative energy as Edinburgh hosts stand-up comedy, music, dance and more, for three action-packed weeks in August.

Explore the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu/Kit Oates/Peter Anderson

Street perfomer Peter Anderson, juggles swords in front of a crowd on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, during the Festival Fringe 2022.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Featuring musicians from all over the world, this is a four-day fiesta of blues, funk, soul and jazz.

Get to know Glasgow Jazz Festival

Photo by: Getty Images/EyeEm

Location: Glasgow

Midsection Of Man Playing At Music Concert
Glasgow Jazz Festival

TRNSMT, Glasgow

11th - 13th July 2025

Showcasing the latest in British indie and rock music, this Glasgow-based summer festival has welcomed the likes of Sam Fender and Paolo Nutini.

Discover the sounds of TRNSMT

Photo by: DF Concerts & Events

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

On 31 December, Scotland’s capital welcomes the new year with a bang – expect Ceilidh dances, live music and fireworks.

Plan your perfect Hogmanay

Photo by: Keith Valentine

Edinburgh Hogmanay Midnight Moment c Keith Valentine
Edinburgh Hogmanay

Eden Festival

12th - 15th June 2025

Head into the woodlands for incredible headliners, a circus, gardens and cinema.

Discover more about Eden Festival

Photo by: edenfestival

Eden Festival
Eden Festival

Shetland comes alive over four days with its historic Shetland Folk Festival, celebrating local, national and international music.

Mark your calendar for the Shetland Folk Festival

Photo by: Shetland Folk Festival

Location: Highlands

Shetland Folk Festival
Shetland Folk Festival

Party on at the popular Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival on the Belladrum Estate near Inverness.

Visit the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Photo by: Paul Campbell Photography

Location: Highlands

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

The mighty Edinburgh Castle is the backdrop for this extraordinary display of military pomp and pageantry.

Watch The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Marching band and light show projecting onto the castle
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Every August, Edinburgh hosts dance, music, comedy, theatre and opera stars from all over the globe.

Discover the Edinburgh International Festival

Photo by: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

The Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival to a conclusion with music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Edinburgh International Festival

Witness an explosion of creative energy as Edinburgh hosts stand-up comedy, music, dance and more, for three action-packed weeks in August.

Explore the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu/Kit Oates/Peter Anderson

Street perfomer Peter Anderson, juggles swords in front of a crowd on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, during the Festival Fringe 2022.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Featuring musicians from all over the world, this is a four-day fiesta of blues, funk, soul and jazz.

Get to know Glasgow Jazz Festival

Photo by: Getty Images/EyeEm

Location: Glasgow

Midsection Of Man Playing At Music Concert
Glasgow Jazz Festival

More British festivals and Scottish adventures

The summer signals festival season in Britain, so grab your wellies and get ready to party with one of the many music festivals taking place around the country.

Photo by: Visit East of England

Location: Suffolk, England

Mumford & Sons performing on the main stage of Latitude Festival

Taking place across the region, the Highland Games combine jaw-dropping landscapes with awe-inspiring displays of sport, strength and Scottish tradition.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Peter Beavis

Three kilted girls Scottish dancing on stage

Scotland’s stunning landscapes, lochs, islands and mountains combine to form a country that’s as unique as it is beautiful.

Photo by: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Location: Edinburgh

Fireworks from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo shortly before Five Telegrams. The Opening event of the 2018 Edinburgh International Festival projected onto the Usher Hall.

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