Beltane Fire Festival

A bit of history

Beltane is the old Celtic festival that marked the start of summer, when fires were lit to protect people and livestock in the season ahead. The Edinburgh festival is a modern revival, begun in the late 1980s by a group of performers and enthusiasts, and it now involves hundreds of volunteers who rehearse for months. Rather than a reconstruction, it is a piece of living theatre inspired by the old customs, retelling the story of the seasons in fire and drumming.

What you’ll see

As darkness falls, a procession led by the May Queen and the Green Man makes its way around the summit of the hill, meeting fire performers, drummers and costumed groups along the route. There is no stage and no seating; the action moves among the crowd, and you follow it. The night builds to the lighting of a great bonfire. Expect pounding drums, flaming torches and some semi-nudity, along with the stunning views across the lit-up city. Gates open in the early evening, with a small range of food stalls on site. Groups of performers act out the story at points around the hill, so moving with the procession lets you see the whole tale unfold.

Watching, taking part and tips

Performers are members of the society, so visitors watch. Entry is by ticket, cheaper in advance. Children need their own ticket and must be with an adult; there is fire, loud noise and some nudity, so think carefully about younger children and bring ear defenders. Wear sturdy boots, as the ground is uneven and can be slippery, and bring a torch and warm layers. Glass is not allowed. Arrive in good time, as entry queues build up.

Joining in

Volunteering is a different undertaking from buying an audience ticket. The society’s 2026 groups announcement describes open and closed groups, each with its own rehearsal commitments and physical requirements. Nightwatch, the stewards and torchbearers, was offered as a possible starting point for newcomers, with training before the festival. If that appeals, look out for the next open meeting and contact the group organisers early; it’s not something you can improvise on the night with a torch.

The same announcement separates a practice where parents are welcome to bring children from an actual role for children in the performance, and the two are not the same. Read the new group description carefully, and ask about your own circumstances before signing up for rehearsals or costuming.

For spectators, knowing who does what makes the night better too. Nightwatch’s account explains that torchbearers light the performance while stewards help hold the space between audience and performers. Give both room to work, and ask a steward where to stand rather than distracting someone carrying fire. The artistic groups can change a great deal from year to year, so enjoy the next edition on its own terms rather than expecting every character from an old photo.

Questions people ask

Where it is

The pin shows the approximate area. Open in OpenStreetMap