If it’s your first time at Beltane Fire Festival, you might be wondering how best to make the most of your night. There’s so much to see and do and take in. We want to help you really get into the spirit of our Summer celebrations, so are some pointers from us.

BUY YOUR TICKET EARLY

Tickets are selling more quickly than usual, and previous festivals have sold out. If we sell out before the festival, then there will NOT be any tickets available on the gate. Make sure you book yours before to avoid disappointment.

Tickets cost £11 (including booking fee) and can be bought online from Citizen Ticket.

WRAP UP WARM

Yes, we are a fire festival celebrating the return of Summer and all things hot. But we all know what a Scottish Summer is like. Our festivities officially start once the sun has gone down, so it is likely to get a bit chilly up on the Hill. We recommend that you dress for all weathers. It has been said before that Edinburgh gets four seasons in one day, so it is best to be prepared for rain, wind, or shine.

ARRIVE EARLY TO REDUCE QUEUING TIME

Thousands of people will be coming into festival on the night, so there will be queues. Our lovely security and box office will be working hard to get everyone onto the Hill in good time, but we recommend arriving early as you can to make sure you have a good spot for the start. The gates are open from 8PM.

AVOID GLASS

Nobody will be allowed into the festival with glass bottles, so please stick to reusable plastics and metals only.

We also want to encourage our witnesses to consider the environment during our time on Calton Hill. If possible, please avoid using single-use plastics and avoid littering on the festival site.

GET A GOOD SPOT

It can get quite busy at some points around the festival, so following the procession is sometimes tricky. You might find it easier to pick a vantage point and let our performers come to you.

There are lots of additional groups who will be interacting with our audience as well, so there is plenty of opportunity to explore the festival away from the crowds.

EXPLORE THE STORY

The story that we tell at Beltane has a loose structure to it, but the striking performances that you see are also an amalgamation of new interpretations that our volunteers dream up. To help you immerse yourself in the performance, we have put together some blog posts describing some of the elements that you can expect to see at this year’s festival.

FEEL IT

Part of the beauty of Beltane is the chance to escape the busyness of modern life and take in the moment. The festival is a real feast for the senses, what with all the fire, drumming, singing, and immersive performances. It has a unique atmosphere as well – from the excitement mounting as the sun goes down to the community’s joy once the bonfire has been lit. Beltane is a celebration of togetherness and our history, but everyone’s experience of it is also unique – we encourage you to take a moment and soak up yours.

Tickets for Beltane Fire Festival are available to buy online from Citizen Ticket. Join the Facebook event here.