This summer, the mayhem of Edinburgh Festivals will descend and the city will be overrun with artists, musicians, acrobats, clowns…literally the whole damn circus!
Edinburgh residents tend to lament the world-class festivals taking place on their doorsteps as streets are closed off, all the eateries are full of visitors and parking is almost impossible (an important Edinburgh gripe!).
However, many of the festivals are realising the power of the parental-purse strings, and there are an increasing number of kid-friendly/family-friendly (and parent-friendly!) events.
We’ve gone through all the festival programmes scheduled for this summer (five are happening in July and August alone!), and found the family-friendly highlights:
Edinburgh International Magic Festival
30th June-8th July
#edmagicfest
Edinburgh International Magic Festival is an annual arts festival that celebrates magic. It was founded in 2010 and MagicFest produces the UK’s largest magic event.
Although some adults may be skeptical (and therefore not entertained!) about magic, kids are far more open-minded and it’s hard to find a child who doesn’t enjoy magic.
This year, the Magic Festival has four family friendly events, which you can find here.
Our pick: check out the MagicFair at Summerhall which runs over two days (1st-2nd July). Dubbed as “a magic theme park experience where the rides are live shows”, there are 10 shows you can work your way through, including a Mini Magic School for 7–12 year olds.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
4–28th August
#edfringe
There are no less than 150 shows in the ‘Children’s Shows’ category at this year’s Fringe. There’s so much variety, from musical to interactive theatre, story-telling to circus shows.
To find all of the Children’s Shows, go here.
Our pick: There really is so much to choose from, but if we had to pick one, it would be The Amazing Bubble Man at the Underbelly, George Square. Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised. From square bubbles, to rocket bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.
3–28th Aug, 11.30am-12.30pm
WARNING: this show has sold out for the last 10 years at the Fringe so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Edinburgh International Festival
4–28th August
#edintfest
The original Edinburgh International Festival started 70 years ago, with the Edinburgh Fringe as an off-shoot.
What’s the difference between the Edinburgh International Festival & the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
- The Edinburgh International Festival principally promotes opera, music, dance and theatre, and participation in the International Festival is by invitation only, issued by the Festival Director.
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an open access festival for performers; anyone can present any type of work and pay a fee to the Fringe for services such as box office and inclusion in the brochure.
Traditionally the Edinburgh International Festival doesn’t have a children’s programme, however their Opening Event on the 4th August will be a free all-inclusive event: Bloom.
Bringing together light and sound installations, large-scale illuminations and 3D-mapped projections onto Edinburgh’s iconic buildings, Bloom is an epic, outdoor, public art event that celebrates the joyful transformation of the city over the past 70 years, from the darkness and division of the post-war years to today’s explosions of colour and spectacle.
Whilst it’s free, you’ll need tickets to attend which are not available until the 26th June. More information here.
This may be an event more suitable for older kids & teenagers.
Edinburgh Book Festival
12–28th August
#edbookfest
This year the Edinburgh Book Festival will host around 1,000 authors in over 800 events, including MANY children specific events.
Their search function cleverly allows you to select events by kids age! They also have a special selection of events for under-twos:
Our pick: ‘20 years of Harry Potter Magic’ (has it really been 20 years!!!) will satisfy Harry Potter fans of all ages, including parents. With a lot of audience interaction, you’ll explore the four houses of Hogwarts with Fleurble Laffalot, discover fun facts about the first Harry Potter books and take part in some of the key elements of life at the celebrated School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — the sorting ceremony, Quidditch, potions class and much more.
Suitable for families 7yr old+, Sat 12 Aug, 11.45am-12.45pm, £5
