Every Edinburgh Festival Explained — And When They Hire

Edinburgh isn't just the Fringe. The city hosts eleven major festivals throughout the year, each with its own character, audience, and workforce needs. If you're looking for festival work, understanding which festivals hire, when they recruit, and what kinds of roles they need will give you a serious head start.

The August festivals

August is when Edinburgh earns its reputation as the world's festival city. Five major festivals run simultaneously, and the city's population roughly doubles.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August)

The Fringe is the big one — the world's largest arts festival, with over 3,000 shows across 300+ venues. It's also by far the biggest employer. The Fringe Society itself hires around 100 seasonal staff, but the real volume comes from the independent venues: Assembly, Underbelly, Pleasance, Gilded Balloon, Summerhall, C Venues, and dozens of smaller operations.

Roles: Bar staff, front of house, box office, technical (sound, lighting, stage management), marketing and flyering, venue management, security, catering, and administration.

Hiring timeline: Major venues start recruiting in March and April. A second wave of hiring happens in June and July as show companies confirm their Edinburgh runs and hire their own street teams and production staff. Some last-minute roles appear right up to the start of the festival.

Pay: The major venues pay at least the real Living Wage. Bar and front of house roles typically pay £13–£15/hour. Technical roles can pay more depending on experience.

Edinburgh International Festival (August)

The original Edinburgh festival, founded in 1947. A curated programme of world-class theatre, opera, music, and dance. Smaller workforce than the Fringe but with more specialist and administrative roles.

Roles: Events and hospitality, administration, marketing, technical production, front of house, and development (fundraising).

Hiring timeline: Recruitment typically runs from March through May for summer positions. Year-round roles are advertised as they arise.

Edinburgh Art Festival (August)

A visual arts festival spanning galleries and public spaces across the city. Smaller scale, with a lean team.

Roles: Gallery assistants, invigilators, marketing, administration, and event coordination.

Hiring timeline: Recruitment for summer positions usually begins in spring.

Edinburgh International Book Festival (August)

The world's largest public celebration of books and ideas, held at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Hires a significant seasonal team each year.

Roles: Front of house, events staff, box office, bookshop, administration, and marketing.

Hiring timeline: Longer-term seasonal staff are recruited from April/May, with shorter-term August roles filled from June.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August)

The iconic spectacle on the Castle Esplanade. A large-scale event operation with a distinct workforce.

Roles: Stewarding, hospitality, retail, event operations, accreditation, and accessibility support.

Hiring timeline: Recruitment for the summer season typically begins in spring.

The rest of the year

Edinburgh's festival calendar runs year-round. These festivals are smaller employers than the August cluster, but they still hire seasonal staff — and competition for roles is often lower.

Edinburgh International Science Festival (April)

One of Europe's largest science festivals, with events, workshops, and exhibitions across the city.

Roles: Science communicators, event assistants, front of house, workshop facilitators, and administration.

Hiring timeline: Recruitment usually begins in January and February.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival (May–June)

Run by Imaginate, this festival showcases performing arts for young audiences.

Roles: Event coordination, front of house, administration, and technical support.

Hiring timeline: Roles are typically advertised in early spring.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (July)

A ten-day festival of jazz, blues, and soul across venues in the city.

Roles: Event staff, front of house, bar, and technical roles at festival venues.

Hiring timeline: Recruitment usually happens in spring, a few months before the festival.

Edinburgh International Film Festival

One of the world's longest-running film festivals. Programming, screenings, and industry events.

Roles: Cinema operations, front of house, guest liaison, administration, and marketing.

Hiring timeline: Varies — check the festival's website for current opportunities.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival (October)

Based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile. A smaller festival celebrating oral traditions.

Roles: Event support, front of house, and administration. Smaller team, fewer opportunities.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay (December–January)

The city's New Year celebrations, including concerts, the torchlight procession, and the street party. A large outdoor event operation.

Roles: Event crew, stewarding, security, hospitality, bar staff, and site management.

Hiring timeline: Recruitment for Hogmanay typically begins in autumn.

How to make the most of the calendar

If you're serious about festival work in Edinburgh, don't just think about August. Working at a spring or summer festival is a great way to build experience, make contacts, and get on venue radars before the Fringe hiring rush.

Many of the same organisations are involved across multiple festivals — working the Science Festival or Jazz Festival can lead directly to a conversation about August work.

See all eleven festivals at a glance on our Festival Calendar, browse current opportunities on Edinburgh Festival Jobs, or check Who's Hiring for direct links to every festival's recruitment page.

Related guides

• Your Guide to Working at the Edinburgh Festival — what to expect from festival work, pay rates, and application tips.
• Edinburgh Festival Accommodation — finding somewhere to live while you work.