5 Edinburgh Festivals to Look Out for in July

There is no end to the festivals we get to enjoy here in Edinburgh! Before the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe take over in August we still have a bunch of exciting festivals to enjoy in July. If you’re not a fan of big crowds and prefer to stay away from the festivals in August then July is a good time to get that festival feeling without the madness. Here are 5 festivals we’d like to highlight in July 2017.

Life & Style Edinburgh

• 1-2 July
• various venues
• www.edinevents.com/lifestyle

This is a brand new summer festival that sounds very exciting. This glamorous event will inspire you with celebrity and local speakers, fashion shows, complimentary beauty & styling treatments, workshops and more – everything you could wish from a lifestyle event! Here are our top 10 highlights from Life & Style Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

• 14-23 July
• various venues
• www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

It’s time to boogie and this festival is where to do it! Set up in 1978 by banjo-player and guitarist Mike Hart, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival has grown to be a major must-visit event in July. You don’t have to be a hardcore Jazz-expert to enjoy the festival as there will also be swing and more mainstream jazz and modern groups. The colourful carnival on the 16th is also something you should put in your diary!

Edinburgh Food Festival

• 26-30 July
• George Square Gardens
• www.edfoodfest.com

Not to be mixed up with the Foodies Festival, this is a free-to-enter event that takes place in George Square Gardens in Edinburgh’s Southside. The festival is organised by the Assembly and will bring to you the best of Scottish artisan producers, as well as interesting foodie talks, debates and demos. This year Tom Lewis who runs boutique hotel and foodie must-try Monachyle Mhor will be offering a 6-course tasting menu in the Spiegeltent.

Edinburgh Art Festival

• 27 July – 27 August
• various venues
• www.edinburghartfestival.com

This unique celebration of the visual arts is the event for any art lover – in fact this festival has grown to become the UK’s largest annual celebration of visual arts. There are pop-up exhibitions, new publicly-sited works across the city, partner exhibitions, evening tours, a showcase for artists at the beginning of their careers and so much more. And the best bit? Most of the programme is completely free making the festival open to everybody.

Edinburgh Blues & Rock Festival

• 29 July
• The Corn Exchange
• www.ebrf.co.uk

The Blues & Rock Festival lasts only one day/night from 1.30pm to 11pm, but with eight local and international bands performing it’ll be a treat for anyone who’s into blues and rock music. So get your boogie on and head to the Edinburgh Corn Exchange for a fun day out!

When you need a break from all the fun

Festivals are a lot of fun but can also be very tiring. Sometimes you just need a quick power nap in a comfy bed to get you going again, but for you to enjoy this luxury without having to miss out on any festival fun you need to find accommodation somewhere very central. This adorable flat sleeps two people and is located in the heart of the Old Town on St Mary’s Street – the perfect base for your Edinburgh stay! See more photos from charming 12 St Mary’s Street here.