When to Visit Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Festivals are like nothing else on earth. The world’s greatest party takes place on these streets for the month of August and a year round programme of festivals means the party never ends. Peak season in Edinburgh as a guide runs from April to mid September and December to January. Within these dates the two weeks across Christmas and Hogmanay and the four weeks of August are the busiest periods and hotel and other accommodation prices increase accordingly.
If you’re visiting the summer festivals it’s never too soon to book a place to stay. As there are seven festivals taking place in the month of August, demand is high, so we recommend booking accommodation at least six months in advance. Many of the festival programmes are not released until nearer August but don’t wait until then, the Festivals have been wowing audiences since 1947, so you are guaranteed a good time. Choose a place to stay first and then what to see. You’ll get better value accommodation and more places to choose from.
Visiting during another season? In Spring you can catch the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the Imaginate Children's festival, in Autumn you can listen to the soothing sounds of the Storytelling Festival and in Winter you can party the year away with Edinburgh's Hogmanay, the best New Year's party on earth. You’ll have more choice of accommodation and access to better rates but as ever the best value deals are snapped up by the early birds. Throughout the year general booking advice also applies with midweek stays more cost effective and deals available on longer stays.
