Special Events in Edinburgh

January
Edinburgh Hogmanay
Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of the New Year, is marked with concerts, street parties and a massive bonfire on Calton Hill. It features street theater; lively processions, illuminated by firebrands; and the burning of a long boat. By 1997, the crush to attend Europe's largest winter festival forced the city to limit numbers, the consequence being that access to the city center after 8pm on New Year's Eve is by ticket only. For details, call 0131/473-3800.

January 25
Burns Night
The celebration of the birthday of Scotland's national poet on January 25 traditional supper of haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes), accompanied by a wee dram of whisky, while listening to recitals from the works of Scotland's Bard, Robert "Rabbie" Burns, whose birthday is being celebrated. Burns suppers are held in hotels and restaurants all over the city.

April
Edinburgh Science Fair
Lectures and events covering all branches of science and technology, held in over 40 centers city-wide.

May
Museum Week
Annual events to publicize Edinburgh museums, with a series of art workshops, guided walks and exhibitions.

Scottish International Children's Festival
The largest festival of the performing arts in the United Kingdom for children and young people. Public performances Friday - Sunday. Come to Britain's Biggest Performing Arts Festival for Children and enjoy: A unique live theatre experience! Cultural Diversity; Performances from the best theatre companies from Germany, Denmark, England and Scotland; Dance Workshops And Story Sessions.

June
Royal Highland Show
Includes a huge variety of events, such as pedigree livestock judging; show jumping; and agricultural displays over a period of five days.

August
Edinburgh International Festival
The Hub, Castle Hill, Edinburgh EH1 7ND
The highlight of Edinburgh's year comes in the last weeks of August during the various festivals. Since its inception in 1947, I The International Festival has grown into one of the world's largest and most important arts festivals. The festival has attracted artists and companies of the highest international standard in all fields of the arts, including music, opera, dance, theater, poetry, and prose.

Late November
Edinburgh's Capital Christmas
One of Europe's finest Christmas festivals with a month-long programme bringing warmth and festive cheer to Edinburgh as the city transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland with lots of activity centred around the world-renowned Princes Street Gardens.

December 31-January 1
Highland Gathering
An annual indoor music extravaganza catering for 25,000 people, this unprecedented event is designed to compliment the City's traditional Hogmanay happenings, the Winter Festival, and the existing yearly New Year's Eve celebrations.