subject: Music Events In Edinburgh This Summer [print this page] While the Edinburgh International Festival and the myriad festivals it has spawned over the years are well-known for showcasing the best in international theatrical, artistic and comedy talent, music is one area of the arts that is all too often neglected by those heading to the Scottish capital each summer.
While music shows do indeed form a core part of the Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe, and have done since their inception, there are very few festivals dedicated solely to music - with only the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival to speak of, holding its own against the likes of the Edinburgh Book Festival and Edinburgh Comedy Festival.
The Jazz and Blues Festival has received its share of critical and popular acclaim, and this year is expanding to offer an even more diverse line-up of events - including an expanded Mardi Gras with more bands and bigger stages.
Like other festivals taking place in August, the Jazz Festival makes effective use of Edinburgh's public buildings as inspired venues for contemporary and classic jazz performances, including an outdoor Jazz Al Fresco event in the Grassmarket in August where punters can relax with a drink in the afternoon, and a new Naturally Inspired event dedicated to nature that, naturally, takes place at the city's Botanic Gardens.
Even if you're not a fan of jazz, you can still find plenty of music events taking place in Edinburgh over the summer, many of them contained within the official Fringe events programme. The line-up features everything from classical performances by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra to events showcasing the finest music styles from around the world - including an evening dedicated to classics of North American music titled Rhapsodies in Red, White and Blue.
Continuing the celebration of cultural diversity, events such as the annual Edinburgh Mela are also descending on the city during festival season, offering a chance for ethnic minorities and anyone who fancies getting involved in a lively outdoor event to enjoy sounds, sights and tastes from around the world. With around 20,000 regular attendees, the Mela could hardly be considered a 'minority' event any longer, taking over Pilrig Park to demonstrate once and for all that visitors to Scotland can expect to hear more than just bagpipes during their stay.
The various festivals that take over Edinburgh each August are replete with unique musical events just waiting to be discovered, in all manner of venues within walking distance of popular hotels in Edinburgh.
