Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival budgets and venues may be in different leagues, but their programmes have plenty in common – and since audiences don’t care a fig where they find the best work, the two festivals are finally learning to work together. 

 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet. 
For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe.
Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events. 

 

Whilst, The Edinburgh International Festival exists to bring world-leading artists together with audiences. The Festival was the inspired idea of Rudolf Bing, then the General Manager of Glyndebourne Opera, Henry Harvey Wood, the Head of the British Council in Scotland, and leaders from the City of Edinburgh. It was established in 1947 as a world class cultural event to bring together audiences and artists from around the world, and over 70 years has gone from strength to strength. For three weeks in August, Scotland’s capital becomes an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for people of all nations. The International Festival presents a programme featuring the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre.