January:

New Year's celebration
Starting New Year's Eve for 3 days -- Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of the New Year, is marked with concerts, street parties and a massive bonfire on Calton Hill. It features street theater; lively processions, illuminated by firebrands; and the burning of a long boat. By 1997, the crush to attend Europe's largest winter festival forced the city to limit numbers, the consequence being that access to the city center after 8pm on New Year's Eve is by ticket only. For details, call 0131/473-3800.

January 25 - Burns Night
The celebration of the birthday of Scotland's national poet on January 25 traditional supper of haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes), accompanied by a wee dram of whisky, while listening to recitals from the works of Scotland's Bard, Robert "Rabbie" Burns, whose birthday is being celebrated. Burns suppers are held in hotels and restaurants all over the city.

April:

Edinburgh Science Fair
Lectures and events covering all branches of science and technology, held in over 40 centers city-wide.

May:

Museum Week
Annual events to publicize Edinburgh museums, with a series of art workshops, guided walks and exhibitions.

Scottish International Children's Festival
Schools performances Monday - Friday
Public performances Friday - Sunday
Telephone 0131 225 8050 The largest festival of the performing arts in the United Kingdom for children and young people.
Come to Britain's Biggest Performing Arts Festival for Children and enjoy:

• A unique live theatre experience - mermaids, angels, cosmonauts and animals!
• Cultural Diversity
• Performances from the best theatre companies from Germany, Denmark, England and Scotland
• Dance Workshops And Story Sessions
• A Safe And Comfortable Environment
• Great theatre venues and cafés with children's menus

June:

Royal Highland Show
Includes a huge variety of events, such as pedigree livestock judging; show jumping; and agricultural displays over a period of five days.

August:

Edinburgh International Festival
The Hub, Castle Hill, Edinburgh EH1 7ND
0131/473-2000
fax 0131/473-2003
open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm.
The highlight of Edinburgh's year comes in the last weeks of August during the various festivals. Since its inception in 1947, I The International Festival has grown into one of the world's largest and most important arts festivals. The festival has attracted artists and companies of the highest international standard in all fields of the arts, including music, opera, dance, theater, poetry, and prose.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe
180 High St.
Edinburgh EH1 1BW
0131/226-5257
This festival began unofficially at the same time as the Edinburgh International Festival and grew in tandem to become the largest such event in the world. Over 500 amateur and professional groups present every possible kind of avant-garde performance in venues all around the city.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Tickets and mail-order bookings are available from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Tattoo Office, 32 Market St., Edinburgh EH1 1QB 0131/225-1188
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The show is an extravaganza of daredevil displays, regimental drill, and swirling bagpipes and ends with a single piper playing a lament on the battlefields. The Tattoo features the precision marching of not only the British Army's Scottish regiments but also performers from some 30 countries, including bands, dancers, drill teams, gymnasts, and motorcyclists, even horses, camels, elephants, and police dogs. The music ranges from ethnic to pop and from military to jazz.

Edinburgh International Film Festival
88 Lothian Rd., Edinburgh EH3 9BZ
0131/228-4051.
This is the world's longest running film festival. It features both mainstream and independent new releases, with interviews, discussions, and debate. It occurs at the same time as the Military Tattoo.

Jazz and Blues Festival
Also at the same time as the Military Tattoo. This festival runs the gamut of jazz forms.

Edinburgh Book Festival
Scottish Book Centre
137 Dundee St.
Edinburgh EH11 1BG
0131/228-5444
Occurs annually. The festival occupies a tented village in Charlotte Square and attracts a wide spectrum of visitors.

September:

Fireworks Concert:
A fantastic fireworks display against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, accompanied by classical music.

Open Doors Day
Cockburn Association
Trunk's Close
55 High Street EH1 15R
0121 557 8686
Some of the finest private homes in Edinburgh are opened to the public on one day of the year, in September.