Edinburgh Festivals Guide 2010

Every year, thousands of people head to Edinburgh to glut themselves on as much theatre, comedy, music and every other kind of human cultural activity they can cram into their stay.

The ‘Edinburgh Festival’ is now in its 64th year. And it’s a world turned upside down, a discomfort zone where great and awful experiences jostle for space.

You’ll get wet, you won’t get tickets to Ross Noble, you’ll be assailed by students in fancy dress peddling dubious theatrical wares on the Royal Mile. But you’ll have the time of your life.

To celebrate this year's events, we've joined forces with Edinburgh Festivals (www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk) to compile Time Out's Edinburgh Festivals Guide 2010, the essential guide to this season's Edinburgh festivals.

Download Time Out's Edinburgh Festivals Guide 2010 to read more about:

Festival people

Get to know some of the most prominent figures (and familiar faces) of this years Edinburgh Festivals. The guide includes interviews with native Edinburghians actor Alan Cumming (of the 'X-Men' franchise) and author Ian Rankin, as well as other English festival stalwarts including comedian Al Murray and baritone Simon Keenlyside.

Festival highlights

All you need to know about Time Out's picks of the season.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The headline-grabbing, number-crunching, eye-popping, gob-smacking. über-festival has to be experienced to be believed. Including acts from Stephen K Amos and Modest Mouse, it's certainly one not to be missed.

Edinburgh International Festival

This festival has been hugely popular since it's launch in 1947. And this year, it looks set to continue the trend. With some of the finest artists in the world, this year the festival has set itself the challenge of turning our Eurocentric worldview on its head.

Edinburgh Art Festival

Offering a sense of calm in the midst of the madness of other festivals, the Edinburgh Art Festival allows you the simple opportunity to wander from place to place, discovering prints, installations, photography and paintings as you go.

Edinburgh International Book Festival

The largest public celebration of the written word in the world, the festival of ideas is a place where historians, politicians, economists and distinguished writers of fiction share their insights with an audience primed for debate and discussion.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

With an honourable reputation of showcasing outstanding Scottish musicians and setting them alongside some of the world's greats, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has a broad musical palate which includes electronica, R&B and world music, as well as jazz, improvisation and blues. You'll be spoilt for choice!

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Attracting the biggest crowds of all, this captivating display of regimental skills takes place in Edinburgh castle. Always a guaranteed sell-out, you'll enjoy the spectacle and contrast of marching bands and lone pipers.

Edinburgh Mela

Edinburgh Mela is a multi-cultural party that celebrates the capital's diverse cultural roots. With a non-stop weekend line-up of music, food, dance and crafts, it is popular with both families and dedicated fans of Asian music.

City guide

Includes information on where to eat, drink and stay during the festivals, a guide to spending just 48 hours in the city and a programme of other festivals taking place thoughout the year. Plus, a must-have festival city map.

Visit our dedicated online Edinburgh city guide for more great ideas about places to visit and stay in Edinburgh at www.timeout.com/edinburgh.

Tickets

Book your Edinburgh Festivals tickets at www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk.

Download Time Out's Edinburgh Festivals Guide 2010.