“The Edinburgh Festivals provide Scotland with the world’s largest international platform for showcasing work right here on our doorstep. They have been a critically important launch pad to the careers and successful promotion of thousands of artists, writers and performers from Scotland. The Festivals are recognised across the globe for their quality, scale and position in the world,” Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland.

Since 2003, EventScotland has provided strategic development support for the world renowned Edinburgh’s Festivals. Edinburgh’s 12 major festivals attract audiences of 4 million, 25,000 artists and 2000 accredited media. 

The last economic impact study demonstrated the festivals generate £184m for the Scottish economy EventScotland is committed to working with the festival organisers to ensure their continued success.

The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival has been supported through the International programme since 2007 and brings visitors to Scotland in March each year. Ticket sales have more than doubled since to 81,000 and it generates an estimated economic impact of around £1million.

Book Festivals continue to grow in popularity and stature as do music and arts festivals. EventScotland supports a number of these throughout the year and across the country on both the national and international programmes (see Investing in Literature and Investing in Music for more information).