Thursday 9 August-

Sunday 2 September

'To all the visitors, whoever they may be and from whatever part of the world they may come, Edinburgh will extend a most warm welcome.'
Edinburgh International Festival 1947 souvenir programme

Echoing our founding aims, Festival 2012 explores the power of the arts to transcend geographical boundaries and differences - uniting people from around the world. Just as the world's elite athletes gather in London for the Olympics, so the world's elite performers gather in Edinburgh. See the stars of today alongside the next generation of world-class artists and immerse yourself in a unique celebration of artistic excellence.

Watch an introduction to Festival 2012 from the Director

Mouthwatering events already announced as part of Festival 2012 include two innovative adaptations of Shakespeare. Set in a contemporary middle-eastern conflict, TR Warszawa's acclaimed production 2008: Macbeth directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna is an extraordinarily multi-layered, immersive adaptation of Shakespeare's web of politics, ambition and the supernatural. 

Dmitry Krymov's A Midsummer Night's Dream (As You Like It) provides a radical new take on this classic tale, a Dream unlike any you will have seen before. Both of these productions are part of the World Shakespeare Festival, which as part of the London 2012 Festival, is a celebration of Shakespeare as the world's playwright, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Edinburgh's iconic mountain, Arthur's Seat, will be spectacularly transformed by NVA's Speed of Light, a groundbreaking participatory project involving volunteer runners and bringing people together to celebrate both sport and culture.

Join us on an inspirational journey through mesmerising contemporary dance and classical ballet, groundbreaking new opera, stunning classical music and compelling theatre from Australia, America, Russia, Japan, Europe and the Middle East.

All packed into three weeks in summer 2012.

Key dates for the diary

Wednesday 14 March

• Festival 2012 is unveiled. Full details can be sent to you by post or browse online
• Priority booking for Festival Friends and Patrons opens online, by post and fax

Saturday 24 March

• Booking opens to everyone online, by telephone and in person at Hub Tickets.

Thursday 9 August

• Festival 2012 opens

Sunday 2 September

• Virgin Money Fireworks Concert
• Festival 2012 comes to a close