Edinburgh International Festival puts America in the spotlight
- By editor
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The programme theme for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, running from 7-30 August, is ‘All Rise’, described as “a rallying cry, encompassing collaboration, resilience and ascendance.”
Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 2026 programme examines the ideas and impact of the US with the Festival's largest-ever representation of American artists.
Programme highlights include the Festival’s first-ever jazz ensemble residency, from Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, marking an historic moment as Wynton Marsalis prepares to step down after four decades as its founding artistic director.
The residency launches with Marsalis's symphony All Rise, an opening concert with over 200 performers on stage.
Nicola Benedetti, Festival director, said: "Our 2026 Edinburgh International Festival is an invitation to ‘All Rise’. It's a rallying cry to artists and audiences to stand with us, in our belief that through artistic endeavour we will see each other more truthfully and more tolerantly.
“Marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, we put America firmly in the spotlight. The American story is filled with innovation and ingenuity, perseverance and prejudice – tensions that have fuelled some of the most extraordinary artistic achievements in history.
“This year's programme brings together over 2,000 artists across opera, music, theatre and dance and through their voices we will confront complexity with curiosity and openness.
“At moments of uncertainty, the arts offers a space to gather, to question and to imagine differently. Join us this August as we rise together – through the dark, the dazzling, the challenging and the transformative. In doing so, we celebrate not only artistic excellence, but the resilience and flourishing of the human spirit."
Bookings for the Festival open on 26 March, with tickets on sale from 19 March to members and supporters.
More than 50,000 tickets will be available for £30 or less, including £10 ‘give it a go’ tickets, which are aimed at encouraging audiences to try something new.
Photography: Andrew Perry, of Nicola Benedetti, Festival director