Information

Beltane Fire Festival is back - bolder, brighter and fire-ier than ever before!

As the wheel of 2024 continues to turn evermore, the days get longer, and the flowers show the first signs of sprouting…we invite you to a celebration into warmer seasons, a traditional Celtic retelling, and an immersive experience of revelry with us as we set Calton Hill ablaze on Tuesday 30th April!

Beltane is a living, breathing re-interpretation and modernisation of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual which is over three thousand years old. Established in Edinburgh, the Beltane Fire Society is a community which brings people from all over the world together for the largest Celtic festival of its kind!

Join us for the spectacular Beltane Fire Festival, where we will retell the traditional stories of The May Queen, and The Death and Rebirth of The Green Man, set amongst fire-play, acrobatics, drummers, dancers, musicians, witches, actors, a cavalcade of curious and larger-than-life characters, and even a little…kaos!

With the on-going climate crisis, we ask ourselves how we approach our seasonal celebrations when those seasons no longer resemble those of our ancestors? For us, our story is one of empowerment in the face of climate change, as we invite witnesses to join the May Queen in observing and righting the natural cycles of the world.

Melding together audience and performers, Beltane Fire Festival calls allies to nature to come together and celebrate the beginning of Summer in this cultural institution of Edinburgh. All are welcome!

TICKET INFORMATION

Gates open at 7:30pm (last entry 11pm) with the first fire to be lit at sunset.

Tickets are available from Citizen Ticket. Every ticket purchased contributes towards planting trees.

Adult tickets cost £14 (plus booking fee) in advance, and go up to £20 on the day of the event.

Child tickets cost £8 (plus booking fee) in advance and go up to £10 on the day

There are also a limited amount of low-income tickets for £10 (plus booking fee).

Capacity is limited and previous festivals have sold out, so get your ticket in advance to secure your place. If we sell out before the event, there will not be any tickets available at the gate on the day of the festival.

Please read customer information before booking as no refunds can be given.

TERMS OF ENTRY

● Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
● Parents and guardians please note - this event contains semi-nudity and uninhibited behaviour, your discretion is advised.
● As flash photography can be very distracting for performers, we ask that you switch off the flash on your phone or camera, please - and if you can, we’d absolutely recommend experiencing our festival without using either much at all.
● Please limit bag size to no bigger than an A3 piece of paper
● The Beltane Fire Society aims to provide a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere. Harassment of performers or other audience members will not be tolerated.

Please do not bring the following things to the hill;

● Glass bottles
● Fire toys or fireworks (we have enough fire, we promise!)
● Barbecues/Fire Pits/Fire Wood
● Loud instruments (including sound systems)
● Flammable Liquids
● Fireworks
● Drones
● Dogs (except guide dogs)

Random Search Policy will be in effect; the event safety team reserve the right to refuse admission

ACCESS

Customers using a wheelchair can get access to the hill using the accessible entrance on Carriage Drive, but please be aware that due to the nature of the event there are no viewing platforms and limited static performances. Some hard standing is available but the grassed area of the hill can be uneven. A wheelchair-accessible toilet will be available in the central car park.

Carers for patrons with a disability or otherwise requiring accompaniment will be provided with a free ticket.

There will be loud noises, mostly in the form of drumming, and some flashing lights in the form of pyrotechnics and flash photography. Some costumed performers will be mingling, in character, with our witnesses throughout the evening. There will be some partial nudity.

First Aid, Ambulance Service and Welfare will be in attendance.

If you have any accessibility related questions, please email your query to access@beltane.org

beltane2024

beltane.org
@beltanefiresociety/ @beltaneFS