Edinburgh International Festival
World-class performing arts festival (Aug)
In 1947 Edinburgh decided to cheer up the grim post-war years with an arts festival. It immediately became an annual event and eventually spawned several sibling festivals, not least the Fringe Festival.
Over time the four-week International Festival became one of the world's premier performing arts events, offering ballet, contemporary dance, classical music, opera and drama; all performed in major venues across the city.
The grand finale, a spectacular fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle, is set to classical music in Princes Street Gardens.
Headquarters for the festival and the key ticket office is The Hub; this entry's map location.