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Beltane Fire Festival

Fire Festival marking the beginning of summer (evening of April 30). The festival has its origins in the pre-Christian Celtic festival of the same name, which was held to herald the coming of spring and to celebrate the fertility of the countryside. Drums, dancing, semi-nudity, pagan ritual, home-brew and lots of fire and fireworks. Crowds of around 12,000 enjoy the ceremony and spectacle every year. For the full traditional experience stay awake until dawn and head across to Arthurs Seat to wash your face in the dew.

Address
Calton Hill, New Town

Listing from Wikivoyage: Edinburgh, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 27 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.