Fun for all the Family

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world's leading public celebration of books, and each August our Baillie Gifford Children's Programme invites some of the most exciting authors and illustrators from across the globe to share their latest stories and adventures with children, families and young adults.

In 2023 we’re delighted to be staging a hybrid Book Festival – a fabulous programme of over 500 events, activities and workshops for adults and children. All events take place in-person in Edinburgh, with a selection also being streamed live on our website. The programme includes a wide selection of events for children in our Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme – which you can view here on our website from 14 June, and book from 29 June. This year’s Book Festival takes place from Saturday 12 to Monday 28 August at our Festival home, the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh College of Art, with the exception of the Greta Thunberg event which takes place at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

See our Access page for more information on our facilities for visitors with access requirements.

Baillie Gifford Children's Programme

Our Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme includes around 180 events, activities and workshops for children and young adults. All events take place in-person, with selected events also available to watch online. View our full events list and book events on our website from Wednesday 14 June; book tickets to events from Thursday 29 June; visit our FAQs page for more information on Visiting with Children; or find out more about how to watch online here.  

Visiting the Festival in Person

Covid-19 Safety

The Book Festival will follow Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council health and safety recommendations at all times to ensure the safety of our audiences, artists and team. Please continue to check the website for the latest Covid-19 safety measures at Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Entry to the Book Festival Village is FREE and EVERYONE is welcome

The Book Festival home is Edinburgh College of Art, a charming, leafy courtyard with lovely old listed buildings, which house our 2023 venues and broadcast studio. Pop in for a visit, it's a wonderful space to sit, talk, think, play and be entertained. The site also has free WiFi for visitors. You can see a favourite author, enjoy a cuppa in the café, a beer in the bar, or simply park yourself on the grass (with or without a book) and soak up the atmosphere. You don't need a ticket to an event to enjoy the Book Festival Village. The only Book Festival event not taking place from the Edinburgh College of Art, is Greta Thunberg on 13 August, which takes place at the Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA.

See our Access page for more information on our facilities for visitors with access requirements.

Cafés and bars

The Book Festival Village offers a range of places to buy food and drink, including a licensed indoor Café, now open until late, which is a large and airy space with a lovely vantage point across the main courtyard. There are also outdoor seating areas, some of which are undercover.

Children’s play area and baby change

The children's play area is a welcoming undercover area in our courtyard and provides a dedicated space where little people and their families and carers can play and relax. You can bring a packed lunch if you’d like. There is a toilet, and separate baby change facility nearby.

Buggies and pushchairs

Please park your buggy in the Buggy Park next to the children’s play area. Buggies cannot be taken into the theatres.

Toilets

Toilets for everyone are located in the paved area at the rear of the Festival Bookshop, including a standard Disabled Toilet and a Changing Places Toilet (with a hoist). Access to the toilets is via a ramp from the courtyard.

Picnics and packed lunches

You’re welcome to bring your own food and soft drinks into the Book Festival Village and relax on the grass for as long as you want – you don’t have to have bought a ticket to see an event.

For more information on what's available at the Book Festival site see our Visiting the Festival page.