Scotland in 2026 is extraordinary. Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games in July. Edinburgh’s August festival season is the biggest cultural gathering on the planet. The Spirit of Speyside brings 600+ whisky events across 51 distilleries. Fire festivals, folk festivals on remote islands, and world-class music events run all year.
We’ve compiled the definitive calendar – music festivals, major events, whisky and food festivals, fire festivals, and Edinburgh’s summer season. Whether you’re planning a trip around a specific event or want to know what’s on during your visit, this is your guide. We also provide private chauffeur transport to any event in Scotland. For Highland Games and country shows, see our Highland Games Scotland 2026 calendar.
Major events 2026 – the highlights
These are the headline events that make 2026 a landmark year for Scotland. The Commonwealth Games alone will bring 3,000 athletes from 74 nations. Edinburgh’s August is a month-long collision of the Fringe, International Festival, Tattoo, Book Festival, and Art Festival. Plan early – accommodation sells out.
| Date | Event | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan – 1 Feb | Celtic ConnectionsGlasgow | Glasgow | Europe's largest winter music festival |
| 27 Jan | Up Helly AaLerwick, Shetland | Lerwick, Shetland | Viking fire festival |
| 14 Feb | Six Nations: Scotland v EnglandMurrayfield, Edinburgh | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Rugby |
| 7 Mar | Six Nations: Scotland v FranceMurrayfield, Edinburgh | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Rugby |
| 30 Apr | Beltane Fire FestivalCalton Hill, Edinburgh | Calton Hill, Edinburgh | Ancient Celtic fire ceremony |
| 18–21 Jun | Royal Highland ShowIngliston, Edinburgh | Ingliston, Edinburgh | Scotland's largest agricultural show |
| 19–21 Jun | TRNSMT FestivalGlasgow Green | Glasgow Green | Scotland's biggest pop/indie festival |
| 23 Jul – 2 Aug | Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth GamesGlasgow | Glasgow | 11 days, 10 sports, 74 nations |
| 7–31 Aug | Edinburgh Festival FringeEdinburgh | Edinburgh | World's largest performing arts festival |
| 7–30 Aug | Edinburgh International FestivalEdinburgh | Edinburgh | Classical music, theatre, opera, dance |
| 7–29 Aug | Royal Edinburgh Military TattooEdinburgh Castle Esplanade | Edinburgh Castle Esplanade | Military music and pageantry |
| 14–30 Aug | Edinburgh Art FestivalEdinburgh | Edinburgh | UK's largest annual visual art festival (mostly free) |
| 15–30 Aug | Edinburgh International Book FestivalEdinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh College of Art | Authors, readings, debates |
| 8 Oct – 8 Nov | The Enchanted ForestFaskally Wood, Pitlochry | Faskally Wood, Pitlochry | Sound and light show (25th anniversary) |
| 24–25 Oct | Comic Con ScotlandEdinburgh | Edinburgh | Europe's largest pop culture convention |
| 30 Dec – 1 Jan | Edinburgh's HogmanayEdinburgh | Edinburgh | World's largest outdoor New Year celebration |
Need transport to a festival or event?
We provide private chauffeur transport to any event in Scotland. Hotel pickup, scenic routing, and combine with a tour or distillery visit. Ideal for Edinburgh festival-goers staying outside the city.
Music festivals
From Celtic Connections in the depths of January to Belladrum near Inverness in high summer, Scotland’s music festival scene spans traditional folk, Celtic, electronic, indie, and world music. Island festivals – Tiree, Skye Live, HebCelt, Mull – offer something no mainland festival can match: music against a backdrop of Atlantic beaches and single-track roads.
| Date | Event | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan – 1 Feb | Celtic ConnectionsGlasgow | Glasgow | Folk, roots & world music |
| 23–26 Apr | Mull Music FestivalIsle of Mull | Isle of Mull | Folk-rock, trad; most events free |
| 29 Apr – 4 May | Spirit of Speyside Whisky FestivalSpeyside | Speyside | 600+ events across 51 distilleries |
| 30 Apr – 3 May | Shetland Folk FestivalShetland | Shetland | International & Shetland trad |
| 1–3 May | Girvan Traditional Folk FestivalGirvan, Ayrshire | Girvan, Ayrshire | Concerts, sessions, ceilidhs |
| 1–3 May | BonfestKirriemuir, Angus | Kirriemuir, Angus | Celebrating Bon Scott |
| 2–3 May | Pavilion FestivalAyr Beach | Ayr Beach | Electronic: Ewan McVicar, MK, Carl Cox |
| 7–9 May | Skye Live FestivalIsle of Skye | Isle of Skye | Dougie MacLean, Breabach, FARA |
| 21–24 May | Orkney Folk FestivalStromness, Orkney | Stromness, Orkney | Family-friendly trad |
| 21–24 May | Knockengorroch FestivalGalloway | Galloway | Celtic diaspora & world music |
| 22–31 May | Islay Festival (Fèis Ìle)Isle of Islay | Isle of Islay | Music, dance & whisky |
| 19–21 Jun | TRNSMT FestivalGlasgow Green | Glasgow Green | Lewis Capaldi, Kasabian, Wolf Alice |
| 26–28 Jun | Heartland FestivalPitlochry | Pitlochry | Skipinnish, The Skids, Peat Diesel |
| 3–4 Jul | WOMAD GlasgowKelvingrove Park, Glasgow | Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow | New for 2026 – world music |
| 10–12 Jul | Tiree Music FestivalIsle of Tiree | Isle of Tiree | Island beach festival |
| 15–18 Jul | HebCeltStornoway, Isle of Lewis | Stornoway, Isle of Lewis | 25th anniversary – Celtic music |
| 24 Jul | SpeyfestFochabers, Moray | Fochabers, Moray | Celtic music, workshops, food |
| 30 Jul – 1 Aug | Belladrum Tartan Heart FestivalBeauly, near Inverness | Beauly, near Inverness | James, The Human League, Callum Beattie |
Edinburgh’s August – five festivals in one city
August in Edinburgh is unlike anywhere else on earth. Five major festivals run simultaneously, transforming the city into a month-long celebration of performance, art, literature, and spectacle.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe (7–31 Aug) – The world’s largest performing arts festival. Open-access: anyone can perform. Comedy, theatre, dance, circus, cabaret, and music across hundreds of venues.
- Edinburgh International Festival (7–30 Aug) – The curated counterpart to the Fringe. World-class classical music, opera, theatre, and dance at major venues.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (7–29 Aug) – Military bands, pipe bands, and international performers on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. “A Call to Gather” is the 2026 theme. Tickets sell out months in advance.
- Edinburgh International Book Festival (15–30 Aug) – Author talks, readings, debates, and signings at Edinburgh College of Art.
- Edinburgh Art Festival (14–30 Aug) – Over 40 exhibitions across the city. Mostly free. The UK’s largest annual visual art festival.
If you’re visiting Edinburgh in August, we provide private tours from Edinburgh that combine festival visits with day trips to the Highlands, whisky country, or St Andrews.
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games from 23 July to 2 August – 11 days, 10 sports, 6 Para sports, and 3,000 athletes from 74 nations. Venues include Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross Swimming Centre, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the SEC. Tickets start from £12. The city will be electric – combine with a private tour from Glasgow to the Highlands or Loch Lomond.
Whisky & food festivals
The Spirit of Speyside is the jewel – 600+ events across 51 working distilleries in late April and early May. The Islay Festival (Fèis Ìle) is the whisky lover’s pilgrimage, with every Islay distillery holding open days. Country fairs and agricultural shows offer exceptional food halls. See our whisky distillery guide for year-round visiting.
| Date | Event | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Apr – 4 May | Spirit of Speyside Whisky FestivalSpeyside (50+ distilleries) | Speyside (50+ distilleries) | 600+ events, tastings, dinners, ceilidhs |
| 22–31 May | Islay Festival (Fèis Ìle)Isle of Islay | Isle of Islay | Distillery open days, tastings, music |
| 18–21 Jun | Royal Highland ShowIngliston, Edinburgh | Ingliston, Edinburgh | Scotland's Food & Drink Hall |
| 3–5 Jul | GWCT Scottish Game FairScone Palace, Perth | Scone Palace, Perth | Country food, field sports, whisky |
| 7–8 Aug | Moy Country FairMoy, near Inverness | Moy, near Inverness | Highland field sports & food |
| 8 Oct – 8 Nov | The Enchanted ForestPitlochry | Pitlochry | Food & drink stalls at light show |
Fire festivals & cultural events
Scotland’s fire festivals are ancient and spectacular. Up Helly Aa in Shetland (January) features a full-size Viking galley set ablaze by hundreds of torch-bearing guizers. The Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill (April) celebrates the arrival of summer with drumming, fire performance, and Celtic ritual. Hogmanay in Edinburgh and the Stonehaven Fireballs close the year with fire and celebration.
| Date | Event | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jan | Up Helly AaLerwick, Shetland | Lerwick, Shetland | Viking galley burning, torchlit procession |
| 30 Apr | Beltane Fire FestivalCalton Hill, Edinburgh | Calton Hill, Edinburgh | Ancient Celtic fire ceremony |
| 31 Dec | Stonehaven FireballsStonehaven, Aberdeenshire | Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire | New Year fireball swinging |
| 30 Dec – 1 Jan | Edinburgh's HogmanayEdinburgh | Edinburgh | Torchlit procession, concerts, fireworks |
The Enchanted Forest – Pitlochry
The Enchanted Forest is Scotland’s pioneering sound and light show, set in Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. 2026 is its 25th anniversary. Running from 8 October to 8 November, the show transforms the woodland around Loch Dunmore with immersive light, colour, and original music. Over 800,000 people have visited over two decades. Book well in advance – shows sell out. Combine with a day tour from Aviemore or private tour from Inverness.
Festivals near Inverness
Inverness is perfectly placed for some of Scotland’s best festivals. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is just 20 minutes away (30 Jul – 1 Aug). The Spirit of Speyside is an hour east. HebCelt on Lewis is accessible via a short flight or ferry. The Moy Country Fair and Black Isle Show are on the doorstep. We provide private tours from Inverness combining festivals with Highland sightseeing.
Planning a trip around a Scottish festival?
Tell us which event, your dates, and what else you’d like to see. We’ll design a trip combining the festival with Highland touring, whisky distilleries, castles, or whatever interests you.
Request a QuoteFrequently asked questions
What are the biggest events in Scotland in 2026?
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games (23 July – 2 August), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (7–31 August), the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (7–29 August), and TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow (19–21 June) are the headline events. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Celtic Connections, and Belladrum also draw large crowds.
When is the Edinburgh Fringe 2026?
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from 7 to 31 August 2026. The Edinburgh International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, and Military Tattoo all overlap during August, making it the busiest month in the Scottish cultural calendar.
Can you arrange transport to festivals in Scotland?
Yes. We provide private chauffeur transport to any festival or event in Scotland. Your driver-guide collects you from your accommodation, drives you to the event, and returns you afterwards. Ideal for Edinburgh festival-goers staying outside the city, or visitors combining a festival with Highland touring.
What music festivals are near Inverness?
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (30 Jul – 1 Aug) is 20 minutes from Inverness and is Scotland's largest family camping festival. Speyfest in Fochabers, the Heartland Festival in Pitlochry, and HebCelt on the Isle of Lewis are all accessible from Inverness. The Moy Country Fair is just south of the city.
Is August a good time to visit Scotland?
August is Scotland's busiest and most exciting month. Edinburgh hosts the Fringe, International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, and Military Tattoo simultaneously. Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games (ending 2 August). Highland Games run across the country. Accommodation books up months in advance – plan early.
What whisky festivals are in Scotland in 2026?
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (29 April – 4 May) is the biggest, with 600+ events across 51 distilleries. The Islay Festival (Fèis Ìle) runs 22–31 May with distillery open days and tastings. See our whisky distillery guide for year-round visiting.