If there’s a time to be in Edinburgh, it’s now. August is the month where some of the country’s biggest festivals take place – we’re talking the International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival and, of course, Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And as exciting as it is to have so much going on, FOMO can make it pretty hard to decipher what is and isn’t actually worth going along to. Especially when the entire city is buzzing with lost tourists trying to find various comedy set. That’s where we come in.
Each week we bring you the best of what’s on in a different city across the UK. Our eyes are on the Scottish capital this time around. Here’s what to get up to if you’re up there this weekend, whether you’re Fringing or not.
Friday 4 August
By night
It’s the opening night of a brilliant new exhibition over at Gallery 23 this Friday. Queer Pop is a celebration of LGBT+ art and artists and will give you a chance to take a look at (and maybe even buy) some really cool pieces of work. Alice Rabbit and her troop of drag queens will be making an appearance at the opening for a special performance and of course, you’ll be able to meet some of the artists too. All the information is over on the Gallery website.
Saturday 5 August
By day
Everyone loves a bouncy castle. And if you’ve spent the last ten years or so bother by the fact that you’re probably too old to play on the ones that pop up in parks and fairgrounds, we’ve finally got one for you. The Labyrinth Challenge is a huge (the worlds’ longest) inflatable obstacle course and it’s making its way to Edinburgh this weekend. Don’t pretend you’re not excited. Book your tickets on Eventbrite.
Also by day
While I may not be vegan, I hear that the BBQ struggle is very real when everything on the standard menu involves a shit load of meat. But if you are vegan you’ll be happy to hear that there’s a dedicated BBQ over at Leith Market on Saturday afternoon. Music and burgers will be on offer, of course, as well as all the other goodies from the usual market traders. All the deets are over
By night
Edinburgh International Festival kicks off this weekend and to mark the occasion there’s an insane looking light show that you might want to check out. It’s the 70h anniversary of the festival so it’s going to be a bigg’un. Think, mystic and magical night garden illuminated by huge light and sound installations. Totally free to attend and you can find out where you need to be to watch it all over on the Festival website.
Sunday 6 August
By day
Looking for some low key, totally un-Fringe related activity for your afternoon? Head over to the Stockbridge Farmers’ market. There’ll be 50 traders on site this Sunday and you wouldn’t be blamed for setting up camp there for the day. Our eyes are on ‘Cheese Peasee’, ‘Consider It Chocolate’ and ‘Gourmet Dog Treats’. See who else is going to be there over on the website.
5 Shows By Wonderful Women To See At Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017
Up for Fringe festivities but no idea where to start? Here are some fabulously talented ladies in or behind shows you’ll want to make time for.
Cosmic Scallies
By Jackie Hagan
What is it? A play all about BFFs Shaun and Dent who grew up on a council estate in Shelmerdine. All about friendship, class and absence.
Showing from 5 August
DollyWould
By Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit from Sh!t Theatre
What is it? A show about the brilliant, one and only, Dolly Parton. The plot: Dolly enters herself into a drag lookalike competition.
Showing from 4 August
Girls
By Theresa Ikoko
What is it? An all-female cast tells the story of three young friends who are kidnapped in Nigeria. Takes a look at the sort of headlines that we miss in the West.
Showing from 22 August
Out of Love
By Elinor Cook
What is it? BFFs Lorna and Grace are set on different paths when Lorna gets into uni and Grace gets pregnant. All about the friendship woes we’ve all definitely experienced.
Showing from 4 August
Primates
By Tessa Coates
What is it? A brilliant stand up set by Tessa off of comedy trio Massive Dad and the Debrief Podcast, of course. It’s her debut solo show in which she discusses her useless degree in Anthropology and how we all got here.
Showing from 3 August
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Follow Jazmin on Instagram @JazKopotsha
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.