Edinburgh Military Tattoo: dates, tickets and the Esplanade
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an evening show on the Esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle. The audience sits in stands built on the Esplanade, with several seating and price categories. The 2026 edition has finished, and the next one runs from 6 to 28 August 2027 under the title The Same Heart Beat.
A ticket for the Tattoo and a ticket for the castle are two separate things with two separate booking routes. A castle ticket does not give you a seat at the evening show. If you want to see the castle by day, look at Edinburgh Castle tickets and compare the guided visits and Old Town tours.
Tattoo dates: 2026 and 2027
Only the 2027 edition is still ahead.
| Year | Title | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | A Call To Gather | 7 to 29 August 2026 | Finished |
| 2027 | The Same Heart Beat | 6 to 28 August 2027 | Official ticket sales are open |
If you plan a trip for August 2027, the dates are fixed and tickets can be bought now at the official ticket office. Check availability for your date before you book flights and rooms.
Our pick: an evening by the esplanade
Our take: this walk starts just below the esplanade where the Tattoo is held.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Edinburgh Castle tickets and Old Town tours
Castle tickets, guided walks and day trips for the days around your Tattoo evening, with live prices and availability.
Buying Tattoo tickets
Use the official ticket office only.
Where to buy
Buy only from the official Tattoo ticket office, on the Tattoo's own website, edintattoo.co.uk, and the booking site that it links to. Do not buy from resellers. This guide does not sell Tattoo tickets and is not connected to the organisers.
Prices
Prices depend on the seating category. Look at the current list at the official ticket office before you decide.
Children
Children normally need a ticket at the full price. Children up to and including age 3 do not need their own ticket and sit on an adult's lap, free of charge. The Royal Gallery is not open to anyone under 16.
Where you sit
The stands are on the Castle Esplanade, address Castlehill, EH1 2NG. The show takes place on the Esplanade in front of the castle, not inside the Great Hall.
Show times in August 2027
There is no show on Sundays.
| Day | Shows |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 21:30 (mostly) |
| Saturday | 18:15 and 21:30 |
| Friday 27 August 2027 | 18:15 and 21:30 |
| Sunday | No show |
If you want a choice of start time, pick a Saturday or Friday 27 August, the dates with both an 18:15 and a 21:30 show. For most visitors, a weekday at 21:30 is the common choice.
Rules in the arena
Bags larger than A3 are not allowed. Umbrellas cannot be used in the arena, so wear warm, weatherproof clothing instead. Smoking and vaping are banned. The show has loud effects, lasers, smoke and strobe lighting, which can matter for small children and for anyone who is sensitive to them.
The stands and a restricted Esplanade are in place from May to October. In those months there are no bike racks at the castle, and the accessible parking spaces are limited.
Planning the day and the evening
A castle visit by day and the show at night.
By day
From 1 April to 30 September the castle opens at 9:30 a.m. with last entry at 5 p.m., and it closes at 6 p.m. Plan the castle for the morning or early afternoon, then leave time for dinner before the show.
Opening hours →Getting to the Esplanade
The tram from the airport takes about 30 minutes to Princes Street, with departures about every 7 minutes. From there it is a walk uphill to the Esplanade.
Getting there →Where to stay
Room rates for August vary, so check them for your dates. Edinburgh charges a visitor levy of 5 percent on the accommodation cost, for up to the first 5 consecutive nights, in force since 24 July 2026.
Where to stay →On the day
The Royal Mile is a short walk from the Esplanade. Walk down after the castle if you have time before the show.
Royal Mile →August weather
The Met Office averages for 1991 to 2020 give a daily maximum of about 19 °C, a minimum of about 11 °C and about 75 mm of rain for August. Bring warm layers and waterproofs, since umbrellas cannot be used in the arena.
Best time to visit →More around the castle
Pages that go with a Tattoo trip.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo: frequently asked questions
When is the next Military Tattoo?
The next one runs from 6 to 28 August 2027. The 2026 edition, A Call To Gather, has finished.
Where do I buy tickets?
Only from the official Tattoo ticket office at edintattoo.co.uk and the booking site it links to. Do not buy from resellers.
Does an Edinburgh Castle ticket include the Tattoo?
No. The castle ticket and the Tattoo ticket are separate products with separate booking routes.
How long is the show, and when does it start?
A show lasts about 90 minutes. In August 2027 it starts at 21:30 on most weekdays and at 18:15 and 21:30 on Saturdays, plus Friday 27 August. There is no show on Sundays.
Is this the official Tattoo website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo or by Edinburgh Castle, and it does not sell Tattoo tickets.