“2024 Edinburgh International Festival targets broad audience appeal”

The organisers of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival have announced their commitment to making the event accessible to a broad audience by offering 50% of tickets for £30 (/€35) or less. Additionally, free tickets will be available for young musicians, and £10 tickets will be available for every performance during the festival, which will run from August 2 to 25.

Under the theme “Rituals That Unite Us”, the festival will showcase 161 shows featuring over 2,000 artists. The theme was chosen in response to the desire for togetherness expressed by both artists and audiences after last year’s theme of “Where Do We Go From Here?”

The festival’s lineup will include a variety of performances ranging from opera, dance, music, and theatre. Notable performers such as BAFTA-nominated actor Jack Lowden, the Scottish Opera, and three-time Mercury Prize nominee Bat for Lashes are set to take the stage.

Val Walker, the festival’s culture and communities convener, expressed support for initiatives like providing free tickets to young musicians and offering £10 tickets for all performances. These efforts aim to enhance accessibility to cultural experiences, especially during the current cost of living crisis.

The 2024 programme will also prioritize accessibility with 25 performances designed to be accessible to all. This includes 10 audio described performances, five BSL interpreted performances, and nine captioned performances. The concession ticket discount for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals has been increased from 30% to 50% off full-price tickets.

Festival director Nicola Benedetti emphasized the festival’s dedication to its audience as it brings world-class artists to Edinburgh. This year, the festival will introduce new and reimagined rituals to celebrate tradition and innovation, inviting audiences to join them in discovering new experiences this August.