Royal Military Tattoo
Castle Esplanade, Edinburgh
Until August 25
As Scotland celebrates the Year of Young People and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, more than 1,200 performers will come together for the Tattoo’s 90-minute showcase which will explore humankind’s greatest accomplishments under this year’s theme, “The Sky’s the Limit.” The nightly 8,800 strong audiences will be immersed in a journey from the beginning of time right through to modern day advances, including space travel. Buy tickets at edintattoo.co.uk.
Edinburgh International Festival
Various venues, Edinburgh
Until August 27
The International Festival presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre for three weeks in August. This weekend, don’t miss Midsummer at The Hub in which two thirty somethings are seeking refuge from the rain during midsummer weekend in a New Town bar, waiting for something to turn up. Also, be sure to catch Hocus Pocus at The Studio, a captivating, visual spectacle for families, bringing together dance, theatre and visual art to tell a fantastical tale of bravery. Prices vary. Visit eif.co.uk to see the full programme of events.
Dance Along Trolls
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
Saturday
Pack up the little ones for this family-friendly screening of Trolls that will have the entire crew dancing in the aisles – literally. Learn all the key dance moves before the movie starts then dance along and show off your moves in the “Can't Stop The Feeling” soul train finale. Characters Poppy and Branch will be dancing with the audience every step of the way. Tickets are £6.60, with fees. Family tickets are also available and under-twos go free. Book at ticketmaster.co.uk.
Banchory Beer Festival
Deeside RFC, Banchory
Tomorrow to Sunday
The bi-annual event is back and is expecting around 5,000 people this weekend. Expect beer from across Scotland and England, plenty of gin, cider, rum and prosecco from home and away. This year’s food offering will see freshly-made pizzas, barbeques, burgers and curry. Sunday will be a family-friendly day with lots of activities for children as well as bouncy castles. Ticket prices vary. Buy at banchorybeerfestival.com.
Pittenweem Arts Festival
Various venues, Pittenweem
Until Sunday
A celebration of the visual arts taking place throughout the Fife village, around 100 or so artists and makers from all over Britain will exhibit in houses, studios, galleries and public spaces. Some 25,000 visitors across the nine days will take advantage of a wide variety of exhibitions, workshops, talks, children’s events and evening performances, all related to the arts. Meet the artists, listen to free talks or just stroll around the streets and wynds and pop in to any venue that takes your fancy. Visit pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk for more details.
Abernethy Highland Games
Games Field, Nethy Bridge
Saturday
The games - known as the “Friendly Games” - are Strathspey’s oldest and the only games to have the spectacle of up to six, or more, pipe bands all marching together as one. The day kicks off with Highland dancing and children’s races at 10am. There will be several outlets for all manner of hot and cold food items as well as a cafeteria. One corner of the field houses a funfair with traditional rides, big and small, to please all ages. Entry is £8 for adults and £4 for children.
Glasgow 2018
Various venues, Glasgow
Until Sunday
This is the last chance to enjoy Festival 2018, the fun-filled cultural programme of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. The City Centre and areas hosting sport across Scotland will be buzzing with live music, circus, dance, theatre, visual art and much more at dedicated festival sites, venues and in-communities, bringing a carnival atmosphere alongside the sporting action. Visit festival2018glasgow.com to see the fll programme.
North Berwick Highland Games
Recreation Park, North Berwick
Saturday
Now in its 23rd year, the games continue to attract considerable support from the local community, as more and more visitors head along every year. Many appreciate not only the spectacle of the event itself, but also the opportunity to visit the charming seaside town. With a variety of events - including pipe band and drum major contests - there is something for everyone. Tickets are £8 for adults and under-fives go free.
Summer Nights
Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow
The two-week long festival winds down this weekend at the 2,500-capacity venue in the West End. Van Morrison takes over tonight, with The Fratellis taking to the stage tomorrow and Roddy Frame for the final night on Sunday. Buy tickets at ticketmaster.co.uk. The festival feature premium street food outlets also.
Festival Fringe
Various venues, Edinburgh
Until August 27
Join tens of thousands of participants from over 50 countries who will be performing in venues across the capital, from the smallest phone box to the grandest theatre. The Fringe is the premiere meeting place for creative people from all over the world to perform, gather, exchange, discover and select new work. It is at the centre of a global movement of over 200 fringe festivals, each inspired by Edinburgh’s example. Visit edfringe.com to see which shows catch your eye this year.
Festival 2018: Balloch Loch Lomond
Moss O’Balloch, Balloch
Saturday
This free, family-friendly event is taking place as part of the cultural programme for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. A diverse range of local and international acts are taking part in the programme, including performances from Urbaniks, an award-winning urban dance group from Balloch, Scottish Opera , Fais Phaislig, Nevis Ensemble, samba drummers from Awestruck Academy Clydebank, and local singer Chirsty Harkins. Parade starts at 11.15am from Loch Lomond Shores. See lochlomond-trossachs.org for more details.
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