How affordable are Edinburgh's festivals?

Edinburgh transforms into a festival city every summer, hosting the Fringe, International Festival, Military Tattoo, and more. However, concerns about the rising costs of attending these events have persisted. BBC Scotland has examined the main expenses for festival-goers to determine the affordability of the city's summer festivals.

Kaitlyn Smith, a Fringe attendee for a decade, believes the expense of attending is the primary barrier to local people experiencing the full festival. Tickets, food, and drinks can quickly add up, with Smith noting that a single meal can cost £7-£12, and a full day out at the Fringe can cost between £100 and £200. Venue director Darren Neale revealed that almost every cost associated with running a Fringe venue has significantly increased over the years, particularly housing costs, which have risen by 300% in the last decade.

The affordability of the city for acts and audiences is crucial for the festival's success, as it has become the world's largest arts festival. However, rising accommodation costs have been a significant issue for the city and its festivals. The average daily room rate in Edinburgh grew by 9% to just over £260 in 2025, compared to £110 in Glasgow and £81 in Manchester.

Self-catering accommodation in Edinburgh also costs visitors a lot, with an entire property renting for £204.68 a day in August 2025. Despite the high housing costs, Edinburgh continues to attract visitors, with 1.5 million tickets bought by people with an Edinburgh postcode in 2025. However, the affordability of tickets has fluctuated over the years.

While the average lowest ticket price has decreased in real terms from £14.17 to £12.80 over the last decade, it has remained relatively stable at around £12.75 since 2021.