General FAQs

Q: How do I receive my tickets?

A: There are four ways to access your ticket:

• Email: Your tickets will be emailed as PDF documents after you make your purchase. You can display the PDF ticket on your mobile for entry – no need to print.
• SMS: The tickets will be sent via SMS on the day before your event. Ensure your account has your current mobile number to receive the SMS.
• Mobile Wallet:  You will receive a link to add your tickets to Google or Apple Wallet in your order confirmation email. You can also add tickets to your mobile wallet anytime via your account.
• Post:  If you opt to have your tickets sent to you by post, please make sure you take them with you to the performance. There is a £3 postal charge to receive your tickets via post.

If you need help with anything that isn’t covered here, please get in touch.

Q: I have access requirements, how can you help?

A: You can find out all about our access provisions on our Access page. If you need any assistance at any of our venues, please speak to a member of staff.

Q: Are ticket prices likely to change?

A: From March 2026, ticket prices can go up or down incrementally after they go on public sale, based on demand.

We offer a range of prices to suit different budgets. When some people are willing to pay more for premium tickets—especially for in-demand shows—it directly helps us offer more affordable options for others. We're committed to making the Festival accessible, which is why:

• More than 50,000 seats will be £30 or less
• Every single performance has £10 tickets available for those that need them
• We offer a range of generous discounts on our full-price tickets. D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and under 18s can save 50%, and we offer a 30% discount for arts workers and under 30s
• We also offer a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more people
• Free tickets are available to essential companions, young musicians and singers, NHS workers, low-income benefit recipients and charity workers

Find out more. 
 

Q: Do you provide content guidance or highlight sensitive content?

A: We offer content guidance to help you decide whether a performance is suitable for you and your party to attend. We aim to do this without sensationalising or giving away important plot twists or surprises.

Content guidance includes health-based warnings (like strobe lighting) and information about sensitive subject matter that might be depicted or referenced. We strive to keep our guidance clear and straightforward.

Keep in mind that as productions evolve through rehearsals and previews, the content guidance may change between booking your ticket and seeing the performance. This is particularly common when we are presenting the world premiere of a new production.

Content guidance will be updated on each event listing on our website. We also include content guidance in pre-show emails and display it at our venues. Feel free to ask a member of our front of house team at the venue for further details.

Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about attending our events. 

If you need help with anything that isn’t covered here, please get in touch.

What time should I arrive?

We recommend arriving no later than 15 minutes before the performance starts. Arrive in plenty of time to take your seat, purchase any refreshments you might like and buy a programme, if there is one. Please note that Edinburgh is very busy during August and this can affect travel time, so allow longer than usual to get to your venue.

What happens if I’m late?

Some performances have a no latecomers policy, so you may not be able to enter if you do not arrive in time. If possible, our Front of House staff will ask you to wait in the foyer until a suitable pause in the action before letting you into the performance. Some of our venues have screens in the Front of House spaces, so you may be able to watch the performance on one of them.

Do you provide content guidance or highlight sensitive content?

We offer content guidance to help you decide what to attend, and who to take with you. We aim to do this without sensationalising or giving away important plot twists or surprises.

Content guidance includes health-based warnings (like strobe lighting) and information about sensitive subject matter that might be depicted or referenced. We strive to keep our guidance clear and straightforward.

Keep in mind that as productions evolve through rehearsals and previews, the content guidance may change between booking your ticket and seeing the performance. This is particularly common when we are presenting the world premiere of a new production.

You can find content guidance on each event listing. We also include content guidance in pre-show emails and display it at our venues. Feel free to ask a member of our front of house team at the venue for further details.

Can I take photos?

We ask that you please do not use your phone during performances to allow everyone to enjoy the show without distractions.
This may differ for our Contemporary Music Series, where using your phone to take photos may be permitted. We advise you to ask a member of staff at the venue.
Either way, we do encourage photos in our venues before and after performances and during the interval!

What food and drink options are available?

Each of our venues has a different food and drink offering. Find out all about food and drink on our venues pages.

Is there a dress code?

There is no formal dress code for the International Festival. We want everyone to feel comfortable and able to enjoy the performance. Wear whatever makes you feel best.

Can I bring my children?

We love welcoming younger audiences. Audience members under 16 will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Each of our venues has their own age guidance, so please check our venues pages for specific information. Some shows may have specific age guidance and content warnings which can be found on the performance web page and on your tickets.

Do you provide age guidance?

We don’t tend to provide age recommendations unless a show is designed for a specific age group. Our event descriptions and content guidance should help you decide whether a performance is suitable. We offer content guidance to help you decide what to attend, and who to take with you. We aim to do this without sensationalising or giving away important plot twists or surprises.

You can find content guidance on each event listing.

Wondering when to clap for classical music performances?

Longer pieces of music are often divided into movements and there may be a pause between each one. Most people save their applause for the end of a full work, rather than between each movement.