Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival & Mardi Gras

Sensational Rhythms, Brass Bands, and Soul in Midsummer Edinburgh

Established in 1978, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the premier gatherings of international jazz, swing, funk, gospel, and Chicago blues masters. The opening weekend's famous Grassmarket Mardi Gras and Edinburgh Carnival flood the medieval piazza with flamboyant samba dancers, marching brass bands, and street performers, before the festival transitions into intimate late-night jam sessions at the Queen's Hall and George Square Spiegeltent.