Festival families
Fancy an action packed fun-filled family festival holiday? Find the perfect balance to keep the clan happy with our family friendly festival tips.
Choose your festival- Edinburgh has 12 festivals dotted throughout the calendar, so it is all about what you want to see and do. In the Spring, the Edinburgh International Science Festival (in April) and the Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival (in May) are all about children, with dedicated children's programmes to keep the family happy. Summer festivals also have a feast of fun for younger people, from wandering along the High street at the Fringe to catching a children's theatre show, to the Book festival's renowned childrens' programme that includes everything from story characters to authors readings and more. There are also a range of great events on at the other summer festivals, ranging from Jazz and Blues to the Edinburgh Mela. The cooler weather brings the chance to expose your children to the magic of Storytelling with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival taking centre stage in October, and then Hogmanay- the world's coolest New Year's celebration- unleasing a 4 day festival that includes a carnival, a torchlight procession and loads of other family friendly events.
Soak up the festival atmosphere – From the 5 floors of Scientific wonder at the Edinburgh International Science Festival to the pomp and splendour of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh is different whenever you choose to come. However, a walk around the city to take in the brooding architecture, tiny wynds and cobbled streets will help to enhance the magic of the festivals.
Children’s programmes – As well as the failsafe festival programmes of the Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival, Edinburgh International Science Festival, Scottish International Storytelling Festival and Edinburgh Mela, many other festivals have dedicated Children’s programmes.
The most impressive of these is the RBS Children’s Programme at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with over 150 events for children, teens and older teens. Whether it’s films for mums and toddlers, the chance to meet children’s authors or interactive Fringe fun skip straight to the children’s sections and let them do the choosing.
Get away from it all – Edinburgh is a breathtaking, beautiful green city so when the clamour of the festivals becomes too much for the family, make a break for it and recharge and recuperate at these family friendly getaways:
* Breathe in the Botanics: Space, scenery and superb ice cream are three reasons for a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Take lunch in the café and enjoy the views of the city through the trees. A trip isn’t complete without a visit to the magical lush greenhouses.
* Visit the Zoo: Edinburgh Zoo is the largest and most exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland. New arrivals this summer include a baby pygmy hippo born in June and baby Gentoo penguins.
Make it an adventure – With a variety of themed tours, let the kids make discoveries of their own in the streets of Edinburgh. Take a light-hearted tour of Edinburgh’s dark past on a ghost tour and encounter strange sights, ghouls and legends in the closes and courtyards of Edinburgh’s Old Town or take an open-air double-decker bus tour through the most popular areas of town for a birds-eye perspective on the Festival. Check out Mercat Tours or The Cadies & Witchery Tours.
Follow the spectacle – Finally, if you’re looking for something for everyone, start with the spectacle. The Edinburgh Festivals are home to some of the world’s most visually stunning events. The Torchlit Procession as part of Hogmanay, the splendour of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a host of other festival events will leave the entire family open mouthed in awe providing unforgettable festival experiences for family members of all ages.
