What's On in Edinburgh throughout 2006

Edinburgh rightly claims to be the Festival Capital of the world. That means that you can find something to suit your taste almost every week of the year.

If you want to plan your visit around a special event, check the Edinburgh Events Calendar below and follow the links to find out more. Remember that Edinburgh life is not confined to these events. There's still plenty to do outside the festivals. To complement this list we have a personal guide to Edinburgh to help get the most out of your visit.

2006 Dates	Event	Information
31 Dec - 1 Jan	Hogmanay	It's claimed to be the world's best New Year party. At midnight, join hands at the street party and join in the largest rendition of "Auld Lang Syne".
7 Apr - 12 Apr	Harp Festival	Concerts, workshops and ceilidhs with some of the best tutors and players in the world.
5 Apr - 16 Apr	International Science Festival	Twelve days of non-stop shows, workshops, talks, demonstrations, hands-on experiments and tours for all ages. A chance for everyone to discover the real excitement of science and technology. Its not just for scientists (although they can come too) - it's for YOU.
15 Apr - 16 Apr	Easter Festival	An extravaganza for Easter including a fabulous Easter parade around the centre of the City.
April 30	Beltane Fire Festival	A celebration of the celtic Beltane quarter day that marks the start of Spring. This has been celebrated in recent years by a fire festival on Calton Hill. For the last few years it has been banned by Edinburgh Council (boo, hiss). With luck it will be back. Check their website for updates.
April	Puppet Animation Festival	Performances and workshops from puppet companies around the world. The events take place in Edinburgh and central Scotland. In 2006 they plan to spread their activities to the Western Isles.
31st March - 22nd April	Ceilidh Culture	The third year for this festival, with over 100 events planned across the city throughout April, ranging from concerts, recitals and workshops to lots and lots of dances. There's an opening concert in the Queen's Hall on Friday 31st. Book early.
End of May	Children's Theatre Festival	Britain's biggest performing arts festival for children, with performances from international groups. This year it appears to be centred around the Traverse Theatre. The programme is available in January 2006.
15 May - 23 Jul	Cow Parade	It's not a regular event, but it's a must-see. It's a touring art exhibition that will see 100 full size, painted cows appearing around Edinburgh streets.
Early June	Leith Festival	Visits to historic buildings, tours, recitals, walks, concerts and a gala day on Leith Links to celebrate the thriving community in Leith.
18th Jun	The Great Scottish Walk	A charity walk around Edinburgh that is open to all. There are three routes this year of 1, 6 and 12 miles starting from Holyrood Park. It's an excellent way of seeing the city, along with 5,000 other happy walkers. There's also a Great Wee Scottish walk this year for younger kids on April 18th in Princes Street Gardens.
22 Jun - 25 Jun	Royal Highland Show	Last year over 6,000 sheep were there, representing over 900 British breeds. You should be too. All of the countryside is here - animals, falconry, the best of Scottish food, machinery, duck herding. If you loved watching "Babe", go.
28 Jul - Aug 6	Jazz Festival	Edinburgh's international Jazz and Blues festival is more intimate than the other summer events, with an emphasis on traditional jazz. The web site lists concerts throughout the year (but not in chronological order).
4 Aug - 26 Aug	Military Tattoo	Massed military bands from around the world perform in the shadow of the Castle. Over 100 million watch it on TV. It's even better being there.
6 Aug - 28 Aug	Fringe Festival	The world's largest arts event with over 20,000 individual performances. There's every type of performance art for everyone.
16 Aug - 27 Aug	Film Festival	Your chance to see the best new films six months before anyone else. The festival also features retrospectives, documentaries and talks with the directors, as well as an excellent series of new animations and shorts. Booking opens on 14th July, but the dates aren't confirmed yet.
12 Aug - 28 Aug	Book Festival	For two weeks top authors come to Edinburgh to discuss and read their work in Charlotte Square Gardens. Get on the mailing list and book early for the popular children's authors.
13 Aug - 3 Sep	International Festival	Opera, Ballet, Music and Theatre from the world's leading companies performing at Edinburgh's major venues. This year's highlight is Troilus and Cressida.
25 Aug - 27 Aug	International Television Festival	The annual MediaGuardian festival for the broadcasting industry. As of January 2006 the web site still proudly announces that the 2003 programme is now available online. Their mission for the poor dears in 2006 is to try and work out how to program the video recorder... Or you could try here.
2 Sep - 3 Sep	Mela	Scotland's biggest multi-cultural festival, mixing music, art and dance from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Africa, China and Scotland.
30 Sep	Samhuin	The festival signifying the end of the Celtic year from the same people who run the Beltane fire festival. Check their web site to see if an event is planned this year.
Late October	Storytelling Festival	A festival of storytelling celebrating the music, legends, myths and tales of scottish culture. Not just for the kids. Great event, but inpenetrable website.
17 Nov - 19 Nov	Fiddle Festival	Three days of recitals, workshops and master classes with the best of the country's fiddlers that will get those feet going. Plus ceilidhs to die for. 2006 program still to be confirmed.
December	Capital Christmas	Christmas events around the city, centred in Princes Street Gardens. They include illuminations, the traditional German market, a big wheel and Dickens' readings, to get you in the mood for Christmas and Hogmanay.


Please check with the event web site for further details and confirmation of dates.

If your event is missing, please email me with the details and I'll add it to the calendar.
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