Explore the 2019 programme

A dark, compelling award-winning drama adapted from Kate Grenville’s novel. 

A visually stunning, exhilarating dance reinterpretation of Stravinsky’s masterpiece. 

Ten of Nigeria’s biggest stars come together to tell stories of domestic violence, overturning the status quo, abuse, disrespect, bravery, sisterhood and joy.

The graphically glorious 1927 return to the International Festival with the European premiere of brand-new show Roots.

Scottish star James McArdle takes the challenging title role in a raucous reboot of Ibsen’s epic play.

The Kiwi multi-instrumentalist psych-popper’s Bostyn ’n Dobsyn project comes to Leith Theatre.

A timeless love story; an electrifying spectacle. Jets versus Sharks. Loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is a cultural phenomenon.

Based on the play by Arthur Miller, a brand-new narrative ballet, given its world premiere at the International Festival as one of the highlights of Scottish Ballet’s 50th anniversary year.

Adapted from his best-selling book, Stephen Fry brings to brilliant life the gods, monsters and mortals of ancient Greece.

Our senses allow us to apprehend the world around us. 9 brings them to vivid life through a bold journey of sensation. A work for families. 

An exceptional songwriter and gifted storyteller, This Is The Kit is the much-beloved musical project of Kate Stables.

A dizzying fusion of dance, music and revolution, inspired by the supercharged music and scandalous life of Fela Kuti. 

Berlioz’s colourful, Byron-inspired tour of Italy and Beethoven’s radiant musical tribute to the natural world.

Komische Oper Berlin return to the International Festival for Tchaikovsky’s best-loved opera, based on Alexander Pushkin’s classic verse novel.

Milo Rau constructs an uncompromising theatrical documentary around a savage killing that shocked Belgium. 

The legendary singer, composer, oud player and folk hero Marcel Khalife makes his Scottish debut at the Edinburgh International Festival.

The European premiere of a new opera from Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek adapted from Lars von Trier’s controversial film.

A revelatory updating of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus is a chilling thriller, told in real time.

Scottish star James McArdle takes the challenging title role in a raucous reboot of Ibsen’s epic play.

Adapted from his best-selling book, Stephen Fry brings to brilliant life the gods, monsters and mortals of ancient Greece.

Adapted from his best-selling book, Stephen Fry brings to brilliant life the gods, monsters and mortals of ancient Greece.

Adapted from his best-selling book, Stephen Fry brings to brilliant life the gods, monsters and mortals of ancient Greece.

A dark, compelling award-winning drama adapted from Kate Grenville’s novel. 

A revelatory updating of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus is a chilling thriller, told in real time.

Ticket allocation now exhausted. From Tolkien’s Gandalf to Shakespeare, Sir Ian performs extracts from his best-loved roles, as well as recalling seminal moments from his life and career.

The graphically glorious 1927 return to the International Festival with the European premiere of brand-new show Roots.

A new play presented through combined stage action and illustrated text.

Ten of Nigeria’s biggest stars come together to tell stories of domestic violence, overturning the status quo, abuse, disrespect, bravery, sisterhood and joy.

Milo Rau constructs an uncompromising theatrical documentary around a savage killing that shocked Belgium. 

Raucously funny and brutally honest, Purposeless Movements is an eye-opening dance theatre work.

Chronicling Jackie Kay’s 20-year search for her biological mother and father and her quest for them to recognise her own existence. 

A dramatic meeting between two extraordinary artists, examining their intertwined histories, colonial legacies and the changing climate we all face. 

The powerhouse Scottish conductor brings his company, with an exceptional cast of international soloists, for this vivid concert performance. 

Komische Oper Berlin return to the International Festival for Tchaikovsky’s best-loved opera, based on Alexander Pushkin’s classic verse novel.

World-renowned British countertenor Iestyn Davies performs one of the most powerful love stories in all of opera.

The fourth and final opera in the Ring cycle is its grandest, as the gods themselves face their doom. 

The European premiere of a new opera from Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek adapted from Lars von Trier’s controversial film.

Yiddish operetta songs from Warsaw to Broadway

Thomas Dausgaard explores Grieg’s exuberant music and Glorious Percussion, an astonishing concerto by composer Sofia Gubaidulina.

A timeless love story; an electrifying spectacle. Jets versus Sharks. Loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is a cultural phenomenon.

The Scottish composer’s tumultuous Woman of the Apocalypse and the sonic spectacle and riotous fun of A Scotch Bestiary.

Joyce DiDonato joins the NYO USA for the sultry opulence of Berlioz’s six ravishing love songs.

Two immensely powerful reflections on our existence, performed by a celebrated International Festival music partnership.

Berlioz’s colourful, Byron-inspired tour of Italy and Beethoven’s radiant musical tribute to the natural world.

The Canadian pianist is revered above all for her performances of Bach. The second of two concerts.

The LA Phil bring their residency to a stirring conclusion with pieces by Barber, Tchaikovsky and John Adams

Harry Christophers conducts The Sixteen and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the first performance of Sir James MacMillan’s Fifth Symphony.

A much-admired International Festival partnership return with one of Elgar’s greatest, and most neglected, achievements.

China’s premier classical ensemble are joined by the captivating US cellist.

A pair of deeply stirring, richly coloured works, a love song to the late Romantic full of surreal imagery, sensual ecstasy and explosive energy.

Mahler's bright and sunny Fourth Symphony is paired with Shostakovich’s witty, incisive Second Piano Concerto.

The Canadian pianist’s recordings of Bach are held up as benchmarks for their profound insight. The first of two concerts.

World-renowned British countertenor Iestyn Davies performs one of the most powerful love stories in all of opera.

A profoundly moving plea for peace, Daniel Harding conducts Britten’s soul-searching pacifist masterpiece.

The powerhouse Scottish conductor brings his company, with an exceptional cast of international soloists, for this vivid concert performance. 

The exceptional orchestra launch the 2019 Usher Hall Series with one of the grandest and most gripping of symphonies.

The fourth and final opera in the Ring cycle is its grandest, as the gods themselves face their doom. 

The graphically glorious 1927 return to the International Festival with the European premiere of brand-new show Roots.

Chronicling Jackie Kay’s 20-year search for her biological mother and father and her quest for them to recognise her own existence. 

Our senses allow us to apprehend the world around us. 9 brings them to vivid life through a bold journey of sensation. A work for families. 

The legendary singer, composer, oud player and folk hero Marcel Khalife makes his Scottish debut at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Ten of Nigeria’s biggest stars come together to tell stories of domestic violence, overturning the status quo, abuse, disrespect, bravery, sisterhood and joy.

The poet, rapper, novelist and playwright makes her International Festival debut. 

A dramatic meeting between two extraordinary artists, examining their intertwined histories, colonial legacies and the changing climate we all face. 

Raucously funny and brutally honest, Purposeless Movements is an eye-opening dance theatre work.

Mali and the American South come together in this compelling collaboration between two of today’s greatest world music groups.

A dizzying fusion of dance, music and revolution, inspired by the supercharged music and scandalous life of Fela Kuti. 

A dance piece which looks behind the masks of violence and machismo to the inner lives of Belfast hard men and strong women.

Milo Rau constructs an uncompromising theatrical documentary around a savage killing that shocked Belgium. 

A new play presented through combined stage action and illustrated text.

The Scottish Celtic fusion band bring a host of their international collaborators for a very special International Festival gig.

The LA Phil play music from the Golden Age of Hollywood by Korngold, Herrmann, Waxman and a selection by John Williams.

Unforgettable orchestral classics and 400,000 fireworks launched from Edinburgh’s iconic Castle make this one of the biggest fireworks concerts in the world.

The dance company create beautiful, often surprising works of art across outdoor spaces. 

Discover an alternative, unseen Edinburgh. A city where memory and history collide, where the strange and the unexpected skew your sense of what is real.