Edinburgh in August
The Fringe takes over the entire city.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
August is a good time to visit Edinburgh.
August is Edinburgh Festival Fringe month, running roughly from the first Friday to the last Monday of the month, alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is one of the world’s largest arts festivals, and the entire city reorganises around it — for better and for much more crowded.
August in detail
What August actually feels like
- Weather
- 12–19°C
- Mild and changeable, with the city too busy to notice
- Crowds
- Extremely High
- Extremely high — the Fringe alone draws millions of visitors
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Extremely high — accommodation can book out months ahead
+The Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo, all at once
–The year’s highest crowds and prices by a wide margin
My tip for August
Book accommodation as far ahead as possible, ideally six months or more, and expect to pay several times a normal-month rate.
- Fringe
- International Festival
- Military Tattoo
How August compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in Edinburgh, 5th for weather, 12th for space, 12th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for EdinburghPlan around
What’s on in Edinburgh in August
- The Fringe takes over the city
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the world's largest arts festivals, alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The entire city reorganises around it, and accommodation can book out and cost several times a normal-month rate.
First Friday–last Monday of August
Not set on August?
Even stronger months in Edinburgh
Also good in August
Weather
Weather in Edinburgh in August
In August Edinburgh averages a high of 19°C (66°F) and a low of 12°C (54°F), with about 72 mm of rain or snow over 10 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C); the wettest month is October.
- Average high
- 19°C
- 66°F
- Average low
- 12°C
- 54°F
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Wet days
- 10
Climate data: Met Office. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Edinburgh in August: the questions people ask
- Is August a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- August is a good time to visit Edinburgh. It ranks 6 of 12 months in Edinburgh overall (5 for weather, 12 for space, 12 for value). The main upside: The Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo, all at once. The main downside: The year’s highest crowds and prices by a wide margin.
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in August?
- Average highs are around 19°C and lows around 12°C. Expect about 72 mm of rain or snow over roughly 10 wet days. Mild and changeable, with the city too busy to notice. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C).
- Is Edinburgh crowded in August?
- Crowds are extremely high. Extremely high — the Fringe alone draws millions of visitors. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Edinburgh in August?
- Prices are at level 5 of 5 (€€€€€). Extremely high — accommodation can book out months ahead. The best-value month is February.
- When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, June is the best month overall (August ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Ready to book August in Edinburgh?
The Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo, all at once
Find hotels in EdinburghAffiliate link