Beltane Fire Festival

Name: Beltane Fire Festival
Start: 2025-04-29
Location: Edinburgh

A Night When the Spirits of Summer Dance on Edinburgh’s Hill

2026/04/29

Every April 30th, Calton Hill in Edinburgh is set ablaze with fire, music, and the wild energy of celebration. Inspired by ancient Celtic rituals, the Beltane Fire Festival gathers thousands of locals, artists, and travelers for one spectacular night to welcome the arrival of summer. The raw energy, hypnotic drumming, and breathtaking performances weave a magical experience that, once felt, is never forgotten.

The Beltane Fire Festival takes place annually on the night of April 30th on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s perfect for those seeking magic, community, and the thrill of ancient ritual, and is especially popular with fans of performance art, folklore, and immersive outdoor experiences.

Main Attractions

The May Queen and Green Man Procession

The centerpiece of the festival is the torchlit procession led by the May Queen, dressed in white and crowned with flowers, and the Green Man, adorned with leaves and moss. As they circle the hill, hundreds of performers in elemental costumes dance, sing, and drum, building anticipation throughout the crowd. When the May Queen kisses and “revives” the Green Man, the cheers, drumming, and waves of fire signal the victory of summer and fill the hill with excitement.

Fire Performances and Rituals

All night long, fire dancers spin flaming staffs, jugglers toss fireballs, and acrobats leap through showers of sparks. The heat and scent of woodsmoke, the pounding drums, and primal chants create a trance-like atmosphere. The climax comes with the lighting of the massive Beltane bonfire, bathing the entire hill in golden light as everyone dances, cheers, and celebrates the return of the sun.

Costumes and Decorations

Many performers and festival-goers wear costumes inspired by Celtic mythology: face paint, horns, leafy cloaks, flowing robes, and red or green body paint shimmer in the night breeze. Giant willow sculptures, lanterns, and banners sway in the wind, while the feel of grass underfoot, the warmth of the flames, and the glow of hundreds of torches create a fantastical world.

Traditional Food and Drink

Food stalls around the venue offer Scottish classics like pies, haggis rolls, hot soups, mulled cider, and local ales. The aroma of fresh baking, spiced cider, and woodsmoke mixes with the night air, and a warm drink feels especially comforting in the cool evening.

Cultural and Historical Background

Beltane is one of the four great Celtic fire festivals, celebrating the start of summer and the fertility of the land. The modern Beltane Fire Festival began in 1988, created by artists and performers seeking to revive ancient traditions in a contemporary way. Today, it symbolizes Edinburgh’s creativity and community, the connection to nature and each other, and for many, it’s a night of transformation, renewal, and joy.

Participant Voices

"I joined for the first time with friends from university. The energy from the drumming, fire, and costumes was incredible—we danced all night and watched the sunrise from the hill. I’ve never felt so alive."