Best time to go to Edinburgh

Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2024

A free flamboyant music and dance event

Dates: July 14, 2024

Edinburgh Festival Carnival
Edinburgh Festival Carnival
Edinburgh Festival Carnival

The Edinburgh Festival Carnival occurs every year on the opening weekend, Sunday to be more precise, of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (EJBF), a ten-day celebration in mid-July. The main attraction of the Edinburgh Carnival is a vibrant parade. Dozens of thousands of spectators line the streets to see the procession and live entertainment afterwards.

Edinburgh Carnival Parade

The street extravaganza involves about 800 performers, including African drummers, Balkan swirling pipes, Chinese dragons, stilt-walkers, and street theatre. The parade starts at 1:30 pm heading from The Mound to West Princes Street Gardens, where it is followed by live music, drumming, dance, and kids' activities.

Festival at Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens, perched next to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, boast several carnival zones, dedicated to Chinese performances, dance shows, drum sessions, and also a Ross band stand. All acts offer free admission and are open to the public. Past lineups featured both national and international performers, such as Bombrando (Portugal), Gwanaval (France), Enjoy Street Theatre (Italy), Edinburgh Chinese Art and Culture Committee, Artscape Theatre (South Africa), Edinburgh Samba School, Meninos do Morumbi (Brazil), Barefeet Acrobats (Zambia), and La Paranxza del Greco (Italy).

More information and the latest updates can be found by the link in the External Resources below. Additionally, consider booking a stay nearby from the vacation rental options, displayed on the map.

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin