Concerts & live music in Edinburgh 2026

Live Music in Scotland's Capital — Tickets for Every Show

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Hot in the city

Best concerts in Edinburgh

Before sold out hits: the hottest picks in Edinburgh right now. The full calendar is just below.

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer

From £18

Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral

From £15

Beethoven Sonatas by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral

From £15

The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans

From £23

Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

From £18

Concerts in Edinburgh: venues, festivals and live music

Is one of the UK's most exciting cities for live music — especially in August, when the Edinburgh Festival Fringe transforms the city into the world's biggest arts festival. But Edinburgh's music scene thrives year-round. From the iconic Usher Hall and the OVO Hydro across the river in Glasgow (easily reachable by train) to intimate venues in the Old Town, Scotland's capital offers concerts of every genre…

Concert calendar in Edinburgh

June 2026

July 2026

Fri, Jul 3, 2026

A Night at the Opera by Candlelight

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
07:30 PM
From £25
Mon, Jul 6, 2026

Beethoven Sonatas by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral
06:30 PM
From £15
Mon, Jul 13, 2026

Beethoven Sonatas by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral

St Giles' Cathedral
06:30 PM
From £15

Some of the best concert venues in Edinburgh

Usher Hall

Edinburgh's premier concert hall, opened in 1914. Home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. With its beautiful Edwardian interior and excellent acoustics, it's the city's most prestigious venue for classical music, jazz and larger touring acts.
The Queen's Hall

A converted church in Newington that is one of Edinburgh's most atmospheric music venues. Hosts a wide range of jazz, folk, world music and classical concerts in an intimate setting. One of Edinburgh's most loved venues by both artists and audiences.
Courtesy of BBC

Princes Street Gardens (Ross Bandstand)

The outdoor stage at the heart of Edinburgh, with the Castle as a backdrop. Hosts concerts during the Edinburgh International Festival and other summer events. One of the most dramatic concert backdrops in the world.

Music genres and concerts in Edinburgh

Rock & Pop

Edinburgh's live rock and pop scene centres on the Usher Hall for big touring acts, and the O2 Academy Edinburgh for mid-size shows. The city's unique festival culture means it also hosts pop-up shows and surprise performances from major artists during August.

Folk & Traditional

Scotland's folk music tradition is alive and thriving in Edinburgh. Venues like Sandy Bell's, the Royal Oak and the Hebridean Bar host live folk sessions most nights. The Celtic Connections festival (Glasgow, January) draws Scotland's finest folk musicians and is easily reached from Edinburgh.

Electronic & Dance

Edinburgh's electronic scene punches above its weight. Bongo Club, Sneaky Pete's and Studio 24 host some of Scotland's best nights of techno, house and experimental electronic music. The Electric Fields festival in Dumfries brings major electronic acts to Scotland each summer.

Jazz & Blues

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (July) is one of Scotland's most celebrated music events, with concerts across the city in venues of all sizes. The Queen's Hall and the Edinburgh Jazz Bar keep the scene going throughout the year.

Classical

The Usher Hall is Edinburgh's premier classical venue, home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The Edinburgh International Festival (August) brings world-class opera and orchestral performances to the city every year.

Indie & Alternative

Edinburgh's Leith and Tollcross neighbourhoods are home to a thriving indie and alternative scene. Venues like Electric Circus, Henry's Cellar Bar and the Jazz Bar host emerging and established artists in an intimate, atmospheric setting that's uniquely Scottish.

Concert tips for Edinburgh

Edinburgh in August: plan well ahead

August in Edinburgh is extraordinary but the city is packed. Book your accommodation and tickets months in advance if you're planning to attend the Edinburgh International Festival or the Fringe. Prices for hotels in August are among the…
Getting around Edinburgh for concerts

Edinburgh's city centre is compact and walkable — most venues are within 20 minutes of each other on foot. Lothian Buses cover the whole city and run late on weekends. For venues outside the centre, taxis and rideshare apps are readily…
Scotland's live music scene beyond Edinburgh

Edinburgh is part of a thriving Scottish music scene. Glasgow's OVO Hydro (14,300 people) is one of the UK's best arenas and is easily reached by train. Celtic Connections in Glasgow (January) is the world's premier Celtic music festival.…

FAQ

What are the best concert venues in Edinburgh?

For large shows: Usher Hall (2,900) and O2 Academy Edinburgh (2,000). For jazz and folk: The Queen's Hall (900). For outdoor summer concerts: Princes Street Gardens. For discovering new music: Sneaky Pete's and Bongo Club.

When is the Edinburgh International Festival?

The Edinburgh International Festival runs in August, usually from early to late in the month. It coincides with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, making August one of the most exciting times to visit Scotland's capital.

What music festivals are in Edinburgh in 2026?

The Edinburgh International Festival (August), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August), the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (July) and Hogmanay (31 December) are the main music-related events in Edinburgh's calendar.

Is Edinburgh or Glasgow better for concerts?

Both cities have great live music scenes. Edinburgh has the prestige of the International Festival and the Fringe, and excellent venues for classical and jazz. Glasgow has larger arenas (OVO Hydro) and a world-class indie and rock scene. The cities are 45 minutes apart by…

How do I get to Edinburgh for a concert?

Edinburgh Waverley station has direct trains from London (4.5 hours), Glasgow (45 minutes), Manchester and Leeds. Edinburgh Airport is served by flights from across Europe. The city centre is walkable from the station and most concert venues are nearby.