Festival Theatre Edinburgh
- Box office 0131 529 6000
- General enquiries 0131 662 1112
- Website www.capitaltheatres.com
With its impressive Colin Ross-designed three-story glass façade, the former Empire Palace Theatre is at once welcoming and grand. It boasts one of the largest stages in the UK; so big that it has occasionally been converted into a studio theatre with room to spare. The auditorium seats over 1900 people on three levels. Maintaining a tradition for variety that dates back nearly two centuries, it programmes everything from popular comedy to classical opera. Not only is it the capital’s home for Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, it is also one of the cornerstones of the Edinburgh International Festival and, thanks to investment in cutting edge projection equipment, the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Having built a reputation as a leading dance house, it hosts a cutting-edge contemporary dance season alongside large-scale musicals, international ballet productions and a variety of one-night musical and comedy events. At street level, Café Lucia is open daily, and there are bars on each floor open on performance days in addition to private function rooms. The same management runs the King's Theatre.
Events at this venue
There are 41 events at this location
Sorted by title / date & time
A Little Life
Acclaimed director Ivo van Hove adapts Hanya Yanagihara’s novel for the theatre, crafting a deeply moving performance of epic proportions. No novel has captivated and moved millions of readers during the past few years like A Little Life *by American author Hanya Yanagihara. How does one live with immense trauma and pain?
Sat 20 Aug
Sun 21 Aug
Mon 22 Aug
Anton and Giovanni
Strictly Come Dancing professionals Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice join forces in 2021 for their first ever tour together.
Fri 1 Jul
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
A selection of exhilarating sports and adventure films, featuring movies about climbers, skiers, mountain bikers, high-wire walkers and more, screening in Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Based on the Sunday Times bestseller which inspired one of this century’s most treasured films, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel takes us on a journey to India with an eclectic group of British retirees as they embark on a new life. The luxury residence is far from the opulence they were promised, but as their lives begin…
Tue 30 May 2023
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Wed 31 May 2023
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Beyond Broadway Experience: Grease
The original High School Musical! This high-energy cult classic hits the Festival Theatre like lightening for three performances in July. Oh, those summer nights… As summer break comes to a close, teenagers Sandy and Danny make pledges of eternal devotion to each other before their holiday romance ends and they must part…
Fri 29 Jul
0131 529 6000
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Swan Lake
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s treasured production of the world’s best-loved ballet. The greatest of all romantic ballets returns in “one of the world’s finest productions” (The Observer). BRB revives Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s glorious Swan Lake – with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music…
Wed 29 Mar 2023
0131 529 6000
Fri 31 Mar 2023
0131 529 6000
Carrie Hope Fletcher – An Open Book
Actress, author, vlogger and award-winning West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher is heading out on her first ever UK tour. Carrie Hope Fletcher - An Open Book will see the musical theatre star play a series of unmissable theatre shows in May and June 2023. Performing songs from her incredible career expect fan…
Sun 4 Jun 2023
£25–£99 / 0131 529 6000
The Cher Show
From a young kid with big dreams, to the dizzying heights of global stardom, The Cher Show tells the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame, flying in the face of convention at every turn. In a dazzling glitter fest of flamboyant glory, sparkling with Cher’s signature wit and style, you’ll be spinning in the…
Tue 11 Oct
0131 529 6000
Wed 12 Oct
0131 529 6000
The Cher Show
“All of us invent ourselves. Some of us just have more imagination than others” CHER Six decades of stardom, over a hundred million records sold. Legend, icon, Queen. She is Cher and this is her show. Goddess warrior of pop turned Hollywood royalty, the Grammy®, Oscar®, Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning Queen of…
Tue 11 Oct
£36.50–£49.50 / 0131 529 6000
Wed 12 Oct
£36.50–£49.50 / 0131 529 6000
Coppélia
Beloved classical ballet _Coppélia _is reimagined for the digital age in Scottish Ballet's new production exploring the search for reality in an artificial world. Scottish Ballet test the boundaries of dance, theatre and film in this distinctive new version of the classic ballet, blending location and real-time filming…
Sun 14 Aug
Mon 15 Aug
Tue 16 Aug
Curtis Stigers
American jazz singer and saxophonist who achieved a number of hits in the early 1990s including the international hit 'I Wonder Why'.
Sat 16 Jul
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival: Jools Holland
Jools’ Jazz & Blues Festival party is not to be missed. Back by popular demand, the 20 piece band love playing Edinburgh and always deliver an exhilarating live show featuring Ruby Turner's breath-taking gospel and R&B vocals, Louise Marshall's soul tones, and the powerhouse Gilson Lavis on drums. This year, their…
Fri 15 Jul
0131 529 6000
Freedom The Music of George Michael starring Joe McElderry
Unmissable George Michael tribute show Celebrating George Michael’s immense catalogue of Grammy award winning hits, audiences will be on their feet and reminiscing with fast-paced classics and sensational ballads. This high energy show will take fans on an unmissable journey through George’s greatest hits including…
Mon 17 Oct
£19.50–£30 / 0131 529 6000
Harry Hill: Pedigree Fun!
Harry is back with brand-new amazing jokes in an all-singing, all-dancing one-man spectacular. “I hadn’t realised how much I missed performing live until lockdown stopped me from doing it,” says Harry, “It’s great to be going back on stage and the good news is I am planning a very silly show.” Audiences will meet Harry’s…
Sun 9 Oct
£33.50 / 0131 529 6000
An Inspector Calls
Touring version of JB Priestley's thriller, reinvented for the stage and directed by Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry.
Tue 31 Jan 2023
0131 529 6000
James IV: Queen of the Fight
Scotland, 1504, seen fresh through the eyes of new arrivals Ellen and Anne, two Moorish women who were expected to take their place at a royal court….but not this one. Both women now have to fight to find and keep a place in the dazzling, dangerous world of the Scottish Court of James IV. It’s a world…
Fri 30 Sep
0131 529 6000
Sat 1 Oct
0131 529 6000
Mon 3 Oct
0131 529 6000
Joe McElderry
X Factor winner, musical theatre star and number one selling artist Joe McElderry is set to electrify theatres across the UK with a brand-new tour celebrating the music of the late George Michael. Celebrating George Michael's immense catalogue of Grammy award-winning hits Freedom will have audiences on their feet and…
Mon 17 Oct
£19.50–£30 / 0131 529 6000
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
SOLD OUT Jools’ Jazz & Blues Festival party is not to be missed! Featuring Gilson Lavis, with special guest Eddi Reader and guest vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall. Back by popular demand, the 20 piece band love playing Edinburgh and always deliver an exhilarating live show featuring Ruby Turner's…
Fri 15 Jul
Jungle Book Reimagined
Discover a new retelling of Kipling’s classic as the Akram Khan company transplant Mowgli’s journey into the modern world. Following the success of 2018’s XENOS, internationally celebrated choreographer and International Festival favourite Akram Khan makes his return to the Festival Theatre, with a magical dance retelling…
Thu 25 Aug
Fri 26 Aug
Sat 27 Aug
Sun 28 Aug
Martin Bayfield's Rugby Legends
From the police beat to the Hollywood movie screen to a Five Nations Grand Slam and MasterChef final, Martin Bayfield has had a varied life! Join former England international and true giant of the game Martin Bayfield as he embarks on his ‘Rugby Legends’ UK tour. See Martin take to the stage with former players to reveal…
Wed 19 Oct
£33.90–£107.35 / 0131 529 6000
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty reawakens in 2022, celebrating 10 years since its premiere at Sadlers Wells, when it became the fastest selling production in the company’s history. Now established as a firm favourite in the New Adventures repertoire, the award-winning Sleeping Beauty has enchanted international audiences…
Tue 11 Apr 2023
0131 529 6000
Wed 12 Apr 2023
0131 529 6000
Members Event: Backstage Tour of Rusalka
An exclusive event for members of the Edinburgh International Festival. Go behind the curtain of this year's fully-staged opera, Rusalka, and gain an insight into the creative process behind the production. Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the sets and staging of Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. _ Rusalka_ is the…
Tue 9 Aug
Neighbours – The Farewell Tour
Maple Tree Entertainment in collaboration with Fremantle Australia present: Neighbours – The Farewell Tour Say goodbye to the long-running soap in person, as Ramsay Street hits the road in the UK! This will be the ultimate celebration of all things Ramsay Street. We will be flying over some of the biggest and best names…
Wed 8 Mar 2023
£38.50–£68.75 / 0131 529 6000
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Following a sold out run at the National Theatre, the acclaimed production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane transfers to the West End this October. Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when…
Tue 18 Apr 2023
0131 529 6000
The Osmonds: A New Musical
Musical telling the story of the world-famous musical family.
Tue 20 Sep
0131 529 6000
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
A new dance theatre event, delving into the story of Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, written by the creator of the global hit television series. Dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatisation with iconic eclectic Peaky soundtrack from a live on-stage band. Tommy and the Peakys fought together at Flanders and the…
Tue 28 Feb 2023
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Wed 1 Mar 2023
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Thu 2 Mar 2023
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Rusalka
A new production of Dvořák's opera featuring Natalya Romaniw comes to the International Festival, with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Douglas Boyd and Garsington Opera. A new production of Dvořák’s best-loved opera, the dark fairy tale Rusalka, features Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw in the title role. One of the 2022…
Sat 6 Aug
Mon 8 Aug
Tue 9 Aug
Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler
The hilarious Sarah Millican is back on tour with a Bobby Dazzler of a new stand-up show. In this, her sixth international tour, you’ll learn about what happens when your mouth seals shut, how to throw poo over a wall, trying to lose weight but only losing the tip of your finger, a surprisingly funny smear test, and how…
Sat 2 Jul
£30.50 / 0131 529 6000
Sun 3 Jul
£30.50 / 0131 529 6000
Scottish Ballet: The Snow Queen
The Scottish Ballet perform this glittering winter tale inspired by Hans Christian Andersen, set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov and choreographed by Christopher Hampson.
Sat 19 Nov
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Sun 20 Nov
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Wed 23 Nov
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Scottish Ballet's The Snow Queen
Scottish Ballet’s spectacular and much-loved production of The Snow Queen returns to the stage, after its sell-out tour in 2019. This glittering production is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale – which was also the basis for Frozen. Set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov which will be performed live by the…
Sat 19 Nov
0131 529 6000
Sun 20 Nov
0131 529 6000
Wed 23 Nov
0131 529 6000
Scottish Opera: Ainadamar
A new co-production with Opera Ventures, Detroit Opera, The Metropolitan Opera and Welsh National Opera In his critically acclaimed opera, Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov creates a vibrant, poetic sound world combining opera with flamenco dance and song. Ainadamar (the Spanish pronunciation of the Arabic name ‘Ayn…
Tue 8 Nov
0131 529 6000
Thu 10 Nov
0131 529 6000
Sat 12 Nov
0131 529 6000
Scottish Opera: BambinO
Scottish Opera, MIF and Improbable Following a sold out run at the 2017 Fringe, this five-star show is back. BambinO is a first operatic adventure for six to 18-month-olds and their carers. This colourful work reinvents opera for children at an age when their minds are wide open to new sounds, images and experiences.
Scottish Opera: Bizet's Carmen
Georges Bizet’s classic opera of jealousy, lust, and life outside the dictates of society gets a boldly updated new production, translated and performed in English, to conclude Scottish Opera’s 60th Season. With such hit melodies as the Habanera, Flower Aria, and Toreador Song – alongside Bizet’s magnificent orchestral…
Fri 9 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
Sun 11 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
Tue 13 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
Scottish Opera: Puccini's Il trittico
A new co-production with Welsh National Opera World-renowned director Sir David McVicar returns to Scottish Opera with Puccini’s epic triptych – a first both for him and the Company. A trio of one-act operas of love and loss, Il trittico runs the gamut from high drama and heartbreaking tragedy to devilish black comedy and…
Wed 22 Mar 2023
0131 529 6000
Sat 25 Mar 2023
0131 529 6000
Sister Act
Brace yourselves Sisters! The Broadway and UK smash-hit musical Sister Act is on the road immediately following its record-breaking London run, reimagined for the 21st century and starring one of Edinburgh’s most loved actors Allan Stewart in the role of Mother Superior. Now set in 2020, this sparkling tribute to the…
Tue 6 Sep
0131 529 6000
Wed 7 Sep
0131 529 6000
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
In September 2022 the King's will close for two years for a major redevelopment, so next Christmas we are bringing all the sparkle, scale and spectacle of the King's Panto - to the Festival Theatre! Experience Edinburgh's most lavish festive production as fabulous as ever, packed full of music, magic, laughter and fun for…
South Pacific
Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed, landmark production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific comes to Edinburgh in 2022. This powerful love story, set on a South Pacific island during World War ll, is brought thrillingly to life in an epic new five-star production directed by Chichester Festival…
Tue 25 Oct
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Talk Ballet - The Snow Queen
Scottish Ballet’s spectacular and much-loved production of The Snow Queen returns to the stage, after its sell-out tour in 2019. Enhance your experience of the show with this Pre-Show talk. On special days, the magic starts a little earlier for The Snow Queen audiences. Come along at 6.30 pm and the Scottish Ballet…
Thu 1 Dec
£5 / 0131 529 6000
Fri 2 Dec
£5 / 0131 529 6000
Thu 8 Dec
£5 / 0131 529 6000
Titanic the Musical
In the final hours of 14th April 1912 the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg and 'the unsinkable ship' slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives. Based on real people aboard the most…
Mon 19 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
Tue 20 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
Wed 21 Jun 2023
0131 529 6000
The Trocks: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
For almost 50 years, the all-male comedy ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (affectionately known as “The Trocks”) have been delighting audiences of all ages at sell-out performances featuring their fabulous sense of fun and their flawless dance. Originally from New York, the Trocks are now loved…
Fri 21 Oct
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Sat 22 Oct
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 529 6000
Zog and The Flying Doctors
Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre present Zog and the Flying Doctors Based on the book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler The Roar Zog, superkeen student turned air ambulance, still lands with a crash bang thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt…
Sat 9 Jul
£16 / 0131 529 6000
