FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join the mailing list to request a copy of the Festival Programme?

You can fill in the online Mailing List form, email boxoffice@eif.co.uk or call 0131 473 2000.

What are the provisional dates of future festivals?

2014 8 - 31 August
2015 14 August - 6 September

How do I find and book performances?

You can buy tickets online on this site, or by calling Hub Tickets at 0131 473 2000, or visiting The Hub at Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE.

You can search this year's programme of events by art form, date or advanced search, or browse our online programme for an overview of all the shows.

How does the Edinburgh International Festival differ from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
The main difference between the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is in their programming policies. The Edinburgh International Festival principally promotes opera, classical music, dance and theatre, and participation in the International Festival is by invitation only, issued by the Festival Director. The Fringe Festival has no selection process in its programming; anyone can present any type of performing arts they like and pay a fee to the Fringe for services such as box office and inclusion in the brochure. To find out more about the Fringe, visit the website. Several other festivals also take place in Edinburgh in the late summer; details of these can be found on our Edinburgh Festival page.

How can I take part?
In general, companies must be invited to take part by the Festival Director. Singers in Scotland can audition for the Festival Chorus, which performs several concerts each year.You may also be interested in Edinburgh's other festivals, such as the Fringe, which is open to all.

Can I get a job working for the Edinburgh International Festival?
Various job opportunities arise throughout the year, working for either the Festival or its home, The Hub. For more information about current vacancies click here.

What resources are available for journalists?
We have a press section of our website which journalists can register for and access which contains Festival press releases and print quality photographs for download. For press ticket requests or any other enquiries please contact Susie Burnet or Jackie Westbrook on 0131 473 2020 or press@eif.co.uk.

How do I book tickets for the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert?
The Virgin Money Fireworks Concert will be held on Sunday 1 September at 9.00pm.

Due to the popularity of this event you can now take advantage of a limited number of special Priority Entry tickets for the Gardens. For only an extra £5 you gain access to the gardens a full half hour before the gates open. As ever, ticket holders for the Ross Theatre don’t need to rush to secure their spot in the gardens and so can take their seats once the gates are open.

• Princes Street Gardens (standing) tickets are £12.50 and £17.50 with Priority Entry
• Ross Theatre (seated) tickets £27.50 standard entry
• All tickets are on sale from the opening of booking and are limited to only ten per booking

Last Chance to Buy
A limited number of gardens tickets will be released for sale only at The Hub in person from 10.00am on Saturday 31 August.