The Scottish capital is where it’s at for your cultural fix this season. Dive into our hot tickets across comedy, literature, film and theatre

Lead image: Verdi’s A Masked Ball

Just dance

Heading into its 25th festival programme and partnering with Assembly, Dance Base offers up a world-class platform for emerging and established acts of the agile variety. Seek out Scottish dance talent with Penny Chivas’ politically charged Where We Choose To Stand (7th – 16th August) – a show blending music, real stories and what it means to unite. There’s also international work as part of Taiwan Season and São Paulo & Basque Showcases.

Where We Choose To Stand

Summer feeling

One of our favourite venues at the Fringe for encountering the bold and unexpected, former veterinary school Summerhall is a brilliant place to plant yourself – sip on drinks in the courtyard while you do some people-watching and programme perusing. New for this year is the UK’s first purpose-built ‘Sauna Theatre’ – showcasing theatre, music and literature, and accompanied by a soothing heat for body and mind.

Final cut

Edinburgh International Film Festival (13th – 19th August) has an eclectic variety of features to enjoy on the big screen this year – 38 to be exact. There are 21 world premieres, including UFO conspiracy feature Out There and Chee Keong Cheung’s Bad Day At The Office starring John Hannah. There’s also a one-night only event at Leith Theatre marking the 30th anniversary of Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, with a screening, live commentary from cast and crew and DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson.

Roleplay

Tinkle the ivories

Bruntsfield’s St Oswald’s Church has been under community ownership since 2020, and has now been reimagined as an amphitheatre for musical performances called Pianodrome CIC – made entirely from upcycled pianos, as the name might suggest. There are free lunchtime concerts and performances across August.

Between the lines

The theme for this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival is ‘Changing Your Mind’ – encouraging listening and open dialogue at a time of increased polarisation. There are almost 600 writers on the bill this year, including former prime ministers, a joint appearance by crime writers John Grisham and Ian Rankin, and Greyfriars Kirk as a new venue for 2026.

Making Love with David Magidoff

Fast Five

Making Love with David Magidoff

With Travis frontman Fran Healy confirmed as a guest performer over a number of dates, Magidoff’s show sees a guest being interviewed on stage about a real-life love story, before it’s turned into a live, improvised musical. 

Until 23rd August, Assembly George Square

Endgame by Samuel Beckett

Their first Fringe show since the critically acclaimed Macbeth in 2022, Flabbergast Theatre use clowning, puppetry and physical performance to tell the tale of four people trapped together at the end of the world. 

Until 30th August, Pleasance at EICC

Roleplay

A Francesca Moody production (Fleabag, Baby Reindeer) always draws the crowds, and this year they’re behind Roleplay – a one-woman comedy by Hannah Reilly looking at sex, power and the pursuit of fame.

Until 31st August, Summerhall

Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings and Roundabouts

Verdi’s A Masked Ball

For the opera fans, this evocative Edinburgh International Festival production has that powerful combination of desire and deception at its centre. Performed by Zurich Opera House, Verdi’s music brings to life the story of ill-fated lovers Riccardo and Amelia. 

26th – 30th August, Festival Theatre

Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings and Roundabouts

Last year’s Fringe ‘Best Newcomer’ winner at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, the Nigerian stand-up is back for three nights only with her acclaimed show – navigating cultural crossovers and life’s big questions. 

20th – 22nd August, Pleasance Courtyard

September picks

High Society: Helen George (Call The Midwife, Cinderella) stars in this jazzy musical and uplifting Cole Porter revival. 7th – 12th September, Edinburgh Playhouse

Six the Musical: The Broadway and West End hit sees the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic. 15th – 26th September, Festival Theatre

The Gruffalo: A winner with the wee ones, the musical adaptation of the classic book is celebrating its 25th anniversary. 10th – 13th September, The Royal Lyceum

Caitlin Moran: How To Be Hopeful: The author talks humour, rebellion and making better days in a world of worsening news. 22nd September, The Queen’s Hall