Despite its name, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has nothing to do with body art! It began in 1950 and features the British Army, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams. Held on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle it has an attendance of 217,000 people from all over the world and is broadcast also worldwide and reaches an audience of 100 million. With displays featuring dancers, horse riders and bands the highlight being the mass pipes and drums performed by the British Army and culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display.
Alongside the main events looked at there are several other cultural festivals that take place during the main months. The International Book Festival was started in 1983 and initially took place every two years but in 1997 it became a regular yearly event. Today it hosts around 600 events for the public, publishing houses and authors and offers opportunities for the public to get up close and personal with there favorite authors in discussion forums. It also features a highly regarded children’s program which is now regarded to be the world’s foremost reading event for young people.
The Edinburgh Annuale started in 2004 and offers an opportunity for artists to display there work. T on the Fringe is another recent addition to the vast array of goings on during the festival months! Started in 2000 it has hosted some hugely famous bands such as the Pixies, Muse, Morrissey, Nancy Sinatra, Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails and the Foo Fighters. It also offers the opportunity for new bands to perform and make themselves known. Other events include the Harvest festival, the Edinburgh Swing Festival, the Festival of Politics, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Interactive Festival, the Edinburgh’s People’s Festival, the International Internet Festival, the Mela and the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Alongside the main events looked at there are several other cultural festivals that take place during the main months. The International Book Festival was started in 1983 and initially took place every two years but in 1997 it became a regular yearly event. Today it hosts around 600 events for the public, publishing houses and authors and offers opportunities for the public to get up close and personal with there favorite authors in discussion forums. It also features a highly regarded children’s program which is now regarded to be the world’s foremost reading event for young people.
The Edinburgh Annuale started in 2004 and offers an opportunity for artists to display there work. T on the Fringe is another recent addition to the vast array of goings on during the festival months! Started in 2000 it has hosted some hugely famous bands such as the Pixies, Muse, Morrissey, Nancy Sinatra, Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails and the Foo Fighters. It also offers the opportunity for new bands to perform and make themselves known. Other events include the Harvest festival, the Edinburgh Swing Festival, the Festival of Politics, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Interactive Festival, the Edinburgh’s People’s Festival, the International Internet Festival, the Mela and the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.