Now in its 78th year, Edinburgh International Festival today launches its 2025 programme, promising a lineup of 133 performances across 24 days. Running from 1-24 August, EIF 2025 boasts seven world premieres, eight UK and Scottish premieres, and two European premieres across theatre, music, dance, and opera.  

This year’s theme is ‘The Truth We Seek,’ a timely theme in which contemporary reflections on the world will be presented alongside time-honoured tales in a confluence of fact, faith, and fiction. Festival Director and Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti, highlighted the pertinence of the theme, stating, ‘In an era of “alternative facts” and manipulated narratives, the arts offer us something deeper: a poetic and metaphorical wisdom that is both nuanced and more precise.’

With 1,700 artists expected to be welcomed to the Scottish capital from 42 nations, EIF showcases its position as Edinburgh’s original festival, bringing the highest quality art and culture to the city. 

Included in the list of world premieres is James Graham’s new play, Make It Happen. A collaboration between National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre, the production explores the Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crisis, and sees the return of Succession star Brian Cox to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade. 

Of equal note is Mary, Queen of Scots, the retelling of one of Scotland’s most famous women by Scottish Ballet. With choreography by Sophie Laplane that blends classicism with modernity and costuming that mixing haute couture and punk, it will likely be a refreshing take on the story of Queen Mary and Elizabeth I.

There are numerous other theatre highlights on offer throughout the festival. Faustus in Africa! from Handstring Puppet Company and William Kentridge reimagines Faust’s downfall to confront the costs of colonialism and the climate emergency. Works and Days sees the UK premiere of Belgian theatre collective FC Bergman’s wordless blend of movement, music, and imagery to explore our connection to the land we inhabit. Cutting the Tightrope makes its Scottish premiere following a sellout debut in London with a collection of political plays that delve into the tightening grip of censorship on artistic freedom. 

EIF’s dance programme in 2025 welcomes both Scottish and international talent to the stage. Australian disabled dancer, Dan Daw, turns the spotlight inward to uncover his own truth through kink in The Dan Daw Show. Breaking Bach brings new life to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach by mixing it with hip hop and contemporary dance. Lebanese-French dance company, Maqamat, presents the UK premiere of Dance People against the backdrop of the University of Edinburgh’s Old College Quad in a performance that dissolves the line between audience and performer. 

Opera will have a smaller, but no less significant presence, at this year’s festival. Australian circus company Circa are joined by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a chorus from Scottish Opera to breathe new life into an iconic myth for Opera Queensland’s production of  Orpheus and Eurydice. As part of their International Festival residency, London Symphony Orchestra will also perform Puccini’s Suor Angelica alongside RSNO Youth Chorus and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. 

Of course, EIF would be nothing without its smorgasbord of music performances throughout the city. In terms of classical music, the festival promises 18 concerts at Usher Hall and 19 morning recitals at The Queen’s Hall from some of the world’s finest musicians and orchestras. 

As well as performances from Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, London’s Aurora Orchestra, and young Spanish virtuoso María Dueñas to name but a few, this year’s Opening Concert will see the second ever performance of John Tavener’s The Veil of the Temple. Performed in its eight-hour glory by the Monteverdi Choir, Edinburgh Festival Chorus, and National Youth Choir of Scotland, the concert will see Usher Hall transformed into a sanctuary of comfort with the epic performance broken into eight cycles with short breaks and the audience free to come and go as they please. 

Contemporary music will also have a significant presence, with indie, jazz, contemporary classic, electronic, and traditional offerings available from around the world. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith turns synth-driven soundscapes into otherworldly experiences while jazz musician, spoken word poet, and activist Alabaster DePlume combines his atmospheric saxophone melodies with personal politics. The Hub will continue spotlighting the next generation of Celtic musicians from all corners of the world, including Norwegian trio Østerlide, Celtic supergroup Ímar, Irish fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain, and Welsh Catrin Finch performing, as well as many others.  

Alongside witnessing the festival’s numerous performances, audiences will have the opportunity to get involved through outdoor mass singalongs and interactive concerts where the audience chooses the repertoire in a real-time Classical Jam. 

Affordability and accessibility are a key concern at EIF 2025, with the festival taking steps to ensure that the festival is more accessible than ever. More than half of all tickets will be priced at £30 or under, with £10 affordable tickets available for all performances, and thousands more will be available for free for young musicians, NHS staff, and community groups. 

The 2025 programme also features its first ever dementia-friendly concert presented for people living with dementia as well as caregivers, family, and friends. 33 accessible performances will also be provided throughout the festival, including nine audio-described performances, seven BSL interpreted performances, 13 captioned performances, and four relaxed performances. 

The 2025 iteration of the International Festival is sure to be one to remember as the city once again opens its doors to a host of artists from both near and far. Benedetti described the event as the “height of international artistic achievement” and it’s hard to disagree. 

Edinburgh International Festival runs from 1-24 Aug 2025. General ticket sales open on 27 March.