Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

Edinburgh International Children's Festival of performing arts for children and young people.

About Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

	30B Grindlay Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH3 9AX
	01312258050
	Edinburgh International Childrens Festival Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Festivals

The Edinburgh International Children's Festival is a 9-day festival dedicated to offering family-friendly entertainment in the form of theatre and dance.

The Festival celebrates the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world, showcasing high quality, distinctive Scottish and international performances to an audience of children, their teachers, and their families each year.

The festival has established itself as one of the best places for programmers from all over the world to see work of the very highest standard. It is also a place where artists meet, see and discuss work, and take part in professional development activities.

Numerous pop-up events take place across the city centre, showcasing performances designed for audiences ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Though it's primarily targeted towards children, the festival offers quality entertainment for older members of the family to enjoy as well.

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Upcoming Events at Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

Theatre

TRASHedy

27th May 2024 - 30th May 2024

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh West

Using a mix of of animated drawings, dance and sound collages, TRASHedy takes an honest, humorous look at our freedom of choice and consumerist behaviour, and invites us to reflect on our actions.

Family and Kids

Cabinet of Miracles

27th May 2024 - 29th May 2024

The Studio Edinburgh, Edinburgh South

Inspired by the world-famous textbook Orbis Pictus, Cabinet of Miracles is a theatrical introduction to planet Earth.

Talks and Lectures

Suppose you Had a Portable Gramophone

27th May 2024 - 29th May 2024

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Old Town

This show is a tribute to imagination and storytelling; a small story with a big impact!

Theatre

Shō and the Demons of the Deep

27th May 2024 - 30th May 2024

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh West

Shō and the Demons of the Deep by Zoë Bullock is a visual adventure story about overcoming fear, climate crisis and how the actions of one generation can affect the next.

Family and Kids

An-Ki

27th May 2024 - 2nd June 2024

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

An-Ki is an immersive theatrical experience about the origin and destiny of humankind, set in an intimate and magical tent.

Family and Kids

Univers

27th May 2024 - 29th May 2024

Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh Old Town

Univers is a poetic sensory experience based on stunning visual imagery and live music. A space for very young children to explore how small insignificant things can have unexpected outcomes.

Family and Kids

The Unexpected Gift

28th May 2024 - 31st May 2024

Lyra Theatre, Edinburgh East

This highly interactive and inclusive dance-theatre performance is made especially for and with children with complex needs such as autism.

Family and Kids

The Yellow Canary

28th May 2024 - 30th May 2024

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

The Yellow Canary is based on a true story and is a leap into the imagination of a young boy as he attempts to escape the horrors of war, exploring love, loss, and what it means to flee your home.

Family and Kids

So Far So Good

30th May 2024 - 2nd June 2024

Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh Old Town

So Far So Good, an adventurous new contemporary circus show for 3 - 6 year olds, comes to the Assembly Roxy as part of the Edinburgh International Children's Festival.

Family and Kids

Be Kind

30th May 2024 - 1st June 2024

The Studio Edinburgh, Edinburgh South

Be kind is an intimate theatre experience for babies. In this sensory performance of sound, colour and movement, children experience acrobatics and juggling up close.

Family and Kids

Kish Kush

30th May 2024 - 1st June 2024

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Old Town

Kish Kush traces the journey of two characters as they progress from solitude to connectedness, offering a unique and eloquent portrayal of diversity.

Family and Kids

Black

30th May 2024 - 1st June 2024

Dance Base, Edinburgh Old Town

Black is a reflection on the violence and emancipation of being Black in today’s world, through a body that narrates, challenges and disturbs – a body that is both wounded and celebrated.

Family and Kids

By Trial and Error

31st May 2024 - 2nd June 2024

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh West

By Trial and Error is a delightful show of acrobatic lifts, full of humour borrowed from burlesque and silent cinema.

Family and Kids

An Ant Called Amy

31st May 2024 - 2nd June 2024

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh West

This is a charming and moving story that sensitively explores sibling loss, An Ant Called Amy tells the tale of an ant who learns to slow down.

Family and Kids

So Far So Good

5th June 2024

Reconnect Regal Theatre, Bathgate

So Far So Good, an adventurous new contemporary circus show for 3 - 6 year olds, comes to the Reconnect Regal Theatre as part of Edinburgh International Children's Festival.

Festivals

Festival of Migration

Southside Community Centre 117 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh South EH8 9ER

Edinburgh's Festival of Migration, celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of our city and our neighbours!

Festivals

Cymera Festival

The Pleasance 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh South EH8 9TJ

Cymera is Scotland's Festival of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and it returns to Edinburgh from 31st May to 2nd June.

Festivals

The Saltire Festival

, Various Locations East Lothian

The Saltire Festival returns for 2022 celebrating St. Andrew's Day in the Home of the Flag!

Festivals

Edinburgh Festival of Cycling

NA NA, Various Locations Edinburgh NA

The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling is back with a nine-day festival, across Edinburgh (and maybe beyond) between Friday 31st May and Sunday 9th June.

Festivals

Portobello Book Festival

, Various Locations Portobello

Portobello Book Festival is a volunteer run festival, taking place over the first weekend of October.

Festivals

Edinburgh Tradfest

, Various Locations Edinburgh

The very best traditional music from Scotland and around the world returns from 3rd to 13th May 2024.

Festivals

Festival of Politics

NA NA, Edinburgh Old Town EH99 1SP

The Festival of Politics returns on Thursday 10 October 2019 and aims to provoke and inspire people of all ages and from every walk of life to listen, engage and debate.

Festivals

Edinburgh International Magic Festival

Edinburgh International Magic Festival is back this Christmas with a mind-blowing programme of shows, events and workshops!

Festivals

Red, Red Rose Street

NA NA, NA NA

Red Red Rose Street returns for 2018 with a festival of Burns’ music and words running from 25th - 27th January.

Festivals

Edinburgh Summer Sessions

Royal Highland Centre Ingliston, Edinburgh West EH28 8NB

A staple of the music festival calendar in Edinburgh since 2018, Edinburgh Summer Sessions will take place in the Royal Highland Showgrounds from 2024.

Festivals