Edinburgh festivals report record engagement and call for structural reforms

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has concluded a record-breaking year, reporting a 20% increase in footfall at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Despite a smaller programme, ticket sales rose, with over 28,000 attendees across three weekends. The festival’s onsite Waterstones bookshop achieved its highest-ever sales, totaling £500,000. The event reached an international audience through online streaming in 52 countries and maintained strong local engagement, with 62% of tickets sold to residents in EH postcodes.

Separately, the Assembly Festival reported surpassing 500,000 tickets issued during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the highest figure since the pandemic. In response to rising costs for performers and venues, Assembly has called for an independent financial review of the Fringe. The organization also proposed shifting the 2027 festival calendar to start one week earlier to alleviate pressure on artists and accommodate the return of Scottish schools.