The Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival is an event like no other.

It’s wild, fierce and magical. There’s fire, hypnotic drumming, and semi-naked dancers. And it all takes place on one of the most picturesque spots in Edinburgh: Calton Hill.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh in spring, you wouldn’t want to miss this event. However, if you’re attending the Beltane Fire Festival for the first time, you might be wondering what to expect.

Without giving too much away, here’s what you need to know about the Beltane Fire Festival.

A bit about the Beltane Fire Festival

The Beltane Fire Festival is an annual event that takes place in Edinburgh on the night of April 30th.

The festival celebrates the return of summer after the long, dark winter months. It is a modern interpretation of an ancient Celtic rite and has been celebrated in Edinburgh since the late 1980s.

The festival is organized by the Beltane Fire Society, a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving Celtic traditions.

Side note: If you’re visiting Edinburgh in autumn, you may be able to attend the Samhuinn Fire Festival, which is organized by the same non-profit.

Beltane Fire Festival tickets

It’s important that you buy your tickets in advance. The event is very popular and tickets sell out fast.

You can buy your tickets online. There will also be tickets available at the gate on the day of the event (unless it’s already sold out by then).

What to expect at the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival

The Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival has become hugely popular in recent years. Many people travel to the city just for the event!

There is normally a long queue to get in, so you’ll want to arrive at the gate at least an hour before the event starts.

The show starts from the National Monument, so if you want to get a good spot, you will need to get there early.

From there, you can follow the procession around the hill, which is led by the May Queen and the Green Man, around the hill.

However, there are other things happening across the hill, so you don’t need to stick with the procession all the time. Just follow the sound of drums or the sight of flaming torches.

Expect some nudity (or a lot of it). Some of the performers may also interact with the crowd (though not in the way you’re thinking).

If you have a respiratory disease, make sure you take your medication with you. As the event name suggests, there’s a lot of fire involved and the air can get thick with smoke.

What to wear for the Beltane Fire Festival

Despite being surrounded by flaming torches and bonfires, it will be very, very cold on Calton Hill.

You’ll want to wear warm clothes (pretend you’re visiting Edinburgh in winter). You might event want to pack a fleecy blanket or an extra shawl in your bag, just in case it gets too cold.

Oh, and don’t forget to take a raincoat, even if there’s no sign of rain. Sometimes Edinburgh gets four seasons in a day, especially during this time of year.

I also recommend wearing hiking shoes. You’ll be walking on uneven ground in the dark and most of the time you’ll have no idea what you’re stepping on.

Tip: April is a cold month in Edinburgh, so you’ll want to pack some thermal clothes. Check out this winter packing list for Scotland.

A few safety tips

Calton Hill can get very crowded during the event, so you’ll want to keep your valuables safe.

The festival finishes late (around 11.30pm), so make you way down the hill carefully and slowly. If you’re not staying in the city centre, you may want to get a taxi back to your accommodation.

Also, avoid using flash when taking photos at the event. It can be very distracting for performers and it also ruins the experience.

It might be a bit difficult to get good photos without flash, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Just enjoy the festival and dance the night away!