Edinburgh Festival Tips for Newbies 2014

Every August, Edinburgh comes alive with 25,000 comedians, actors, musicians, dancers, military bandsmen, artists, circus performers and street entertainers from around the world. The Edinburgh Festival is the largest arts festival in the world, with well over 1,000 events to choose from every single day. 


It’s a thrilling experience; but if you are new to the Festival it can be overwhelming. Where do you start? How can you possibly choose just a handful of shows to go to from so many? What do you need to bring? How do you find somewhere to stay? 


Experienced Festival-goers Brian and Tim Kirby (father and son) have put together this short guide for Festival newbies, full of hundreds of practical tips based on their 40 years at the Festival. It covers the International Festival, the Fringe, the free festivals, the Military Tattoo, the Book Festival and the Arts Festival, outlining what you can expect and how you can make the most of your time.


There are tips on when to come, what (ideally) you need to do in the months and days before arriving, where best to find the information you need and some strategies for choosing what to see. It suggests how to buy tickets efficiently, what to expect of the main venues, how to approach all the inevitable queuing, and where to find the best seats.


And there are plenty more tips on the practicalities: the weather, travelling to Edinburgh, finding accommodation, getting your bearings, public transport and so on. There are even a few suggestions of places to find calm away from the bustle.


This guide is ideal for anyone new to the Festival – and even regular Festival-goers will find some useful tips. It should help you save time and money, feel confident and get the most out of your stay in Edinburgh.


Have a wonderful and memorable Festival.