Fringe Festival

The Fringe Festival tends to be more off beat than the main festival and is made up of all manner of professional and amateur performers. As a result it tends to appeal to a younger audience. The Fringe side of the Edinburgh Festival is now regarded by the stage industry as so cutting edge and innovative that it is viewed by many as a showcase for new talent. The Film Festival also dates back to 1947 and so is the oldest such festival in the world. It is now an established part of the film industry's calendar and features both mainstream and independent films.

The Book and Jazz Festivals

The Book and Jazz Festivals, whilst smaller, also attract big names in their respective fields. These are more recently established offshoots of the main festival, but nevertheless have become equally popular.

Military Tattoo

And of course, one of the biggest attractions during the festival is the army's contribution - famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is held on the Esplanade of the Castle. Held since 1950 this is the single most popular event in Edinburgh's International Festival, with over 200,000 people watching it each year.

Click here to view a 360 panorama of the Edinburgh Castle, location of the Military Tattoo.

Fireworks

One of the International Festival's highlights is the huge open air concert held in Princes Street Gardens, accompanied by a massive firework display from the castle ramparts. This event takes place on the final day of the Festival and is essentially the closing ceremony - but best of all, it is free. The Edinburgh International Festival is held annually in mid-August or early September. The programme is usually available from around May time, and if there is something you particularly want to see make sure you book in advance (especially for the Military Tattoo).And whilst the Festival is naturally a great time to visit Edinburgh, it is also worth remembering that accommodation is booked out months in advance so make sure you get your hotel sorted before you arrive!