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What’s On Guide Edinburgh August 2025
August is the sunniest summer month in Edinburgh. The average temperature is 15°C. It is the main festival month in the city and a peak time for tourism. Amongst the major festivals are the International Festival, the Festival Fringe and the Royal Military Tattoo. Here’s what’s on in Edinburgh in August 2025.
All details given here are subject to change, and no tickets are sold on this website. Please contact the event organisers directly for the most up-to-date information and ticket sales.
Music, theatre and comedy
- Forth On The Fringe, Edinburgh Playhouse, 1 – 2 Aug
- Oasis: Live ’25, Murrayfield, 8, 9 & 12 Aug
- One Night In Nashville, O2 Academy, 16 Aug
- AC/DC: Power Up Tour, Murrayfield, 21 Aug
- Sam Fender, Royal Highland Showgrounds, 22 Aug
- Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow: Show Pony, Edinburgh Playhouse, 22 Aug
- Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier, Edinburgh Playhouse, 23 – 24 Aug
- David Gray, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 Aug
- Chappell Roan, Royal Highland Showgrounds, 26 – 27 Aug
- Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group, Festival Theatre, 31 Aug
Festivals and special events
- Edinburgh Foodies Festival, Inverleith Park, 1 – 3 Aug
- Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 1 – 23 Aug
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe, various venues, 1 – 25 Aug
- Edinburgh International Festival, various venues, 1 – 25 Aug
- Truckfest Scotland, Royal Highland Centre, 2 – 3 Aug
- Edinburgh Art Festival, various venues, 7 – 24 Aug
- Edinburgh International Book Festival, various venues, 9 – 24 Aug
- Edinburgh International Film Festival, various venues, 14 – 20 Aug
- Edinburgh International Television Festival, EICC, 19 – 22 Aug
Activities, tours and experiences
- SuperCar Driving Experience, Royal Highland Centre, 30 – 31 Aug
Markets and fairs
- Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat
- Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat
- Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
- Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, O2 Academy, every Sat & Sun
- Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun
- Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street, every day
- Tron Kirk Market, Tron Kirk on Royal Mile, every day
- West End Fair, St John’s Church, 28 Jul – 24 Aug
- Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 2 – 23 Aug
- Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30 Aug
Museums, galleries and exhibitions
- Disrupting the Narrative, The Writers’ Museum, until 23 Aug
- Bruce McLean: I Want My Crown, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, until 23 Nov
- Cold War Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, until 4 Jan
- Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography, King’s Gallery, 28 Feb – 7 Sep
- Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books, Museum of Edinburgh, 19 Apr – 8 Sep
- The World of King James VI and I, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 26 Apr – 14 Sep
- Your Art World, Scottish National Gallery, 10 May – 2 Nov
- Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000, City Art Centre, 17 May, 12 Oct
- Linder: Danger Came Smiling (age 16+), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 23 May – 19 Oct
- John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, City Art Centre, 31 May – 28 Sep
- Mercedes Azpilicueta: Fire on the Mountain, Light on the Hill, Collective, 20 Jun – 7 Sep
- Resistance, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 21 Jun – 4 Jan
- Wael Shawky, Talbot Rice Gallery, 28 Jun – 28 Sep
- Monkeys: Our Primate Family, National Museum of Scotland, 28 Jun – 30 Nov
- IKEA: Magical Patterns, Dovecot Studios, 18 Jul – 17 Jan
- Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years, Royal Scottish Academy, 26 Jul – 2 Nov
Sport and fundraising events
- Scottish 10K, Musselburgh Racecourse, 17 Aug
- Scottish Half Marathon, Musselburgh Racecourse, 17 Aug
Most viewed attractions listings in August
- Grassmarket, historic Edinburgh market square with shops, pubs and restaurants
- Portobello Beach, sandy Edinburgh seaside spot, perfect for walks and relaxation
- Pentland Hills, scenic trails, rolling landscapes and outdoor adventures
- Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street with iconic views of the castle
- Arthur’s Seat, volcanic hill in Edinburgh offering stunning panoramic views
- Edinburgh Castle, iconic fortress atop Castle Rock, offering historic castle tours
- Princes Street Gardens, public park in Edinburgh, nestled beneath the castle
- The Real Mary Kings’ Close, underground network of streets, offering history tours
- Edinburgh Dungeon, immersive, theatrical tours showcasing the city’s dark history
- The Royal Mile, historic Edinburgh street, connecting the castle and palace
- View more attractions…
See also
- Where to stay, some Edinburgh hotel, guest house and apartment options
- Virtual tours, take a look around Edinburgh from the comfort of home
- Q&As, a few questions answered about Edinburgh and Scotland
