![\"handleaf.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/5316_1970_6819_handleaf.jpg\")
Ah, the Edinburgh Festival. A time of aspiration for budding young thespians, excitement for the tourists of the world, and trepidation for native Edinburghers. No matter \u2013 we\u2019ve carefully put together this Ultimate Cyclist\u2019s Guide to the Edinburgh Festival to help you make the most of August.<\/p>\n
Just be sure to lock your bike up with a good lock for bicycles <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhere to park during the Edinburgh Festival?\u201d is currently one of the top Festival searches on Google.<\/p>\n The answer is obvious: Parking a car anywhere during the Edinburgh Festival is physically impossible. You\u2019d have better luck trying to get a smile out of a Lothian Bus driver.\u00a0 The solution: Cycle into town, cycle home. <\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a map of all the \u2018proper\u2019 places to lock up your bike. Click on the blue dots to see how many spaces are at each location.<\/p>\n And below is a\u00a0map of all the Festival venues, which are of course all accessible by bicycle. Make sure you have a good quality lock (we like\u00a0these ones) and don\u2019t leave your bike down any quiet alleyways. It can be a\u00a0 bit <\/em> \u00a0busy in Edinburgh so make sure you have a working\u00a0 bell <\/a> \u00a0to ping at anyone who needs to be alerted to your presence.<\/p>\n The Edinburgh Festival is also the perfect time to\u00a0 get away <\/strong> \u00a0 from <\/strong> \u00a0the crowds in the centre of town and enjoy other parts of the city\/country.<\/p>\n For quiet cycling routes around Edinburgh you can do a lot worse than these\u00a0 Explore Quiet Routes guides by Edinburgh Council <\/a> \u00a0and to go further afield you can check out our these\u00a0 great route guides from our customers <\/a> . Of course, there are the\u00a0 National Cycle Routes <\/a> \u00a0and many routes in and around Edinburgh in\u00a0 handy maps <\/a> \u00a0by Spokes.<\/p>\n With over a billion shows on during the Festival (probably accurate), there\u2019s no way to effectively choose what you want to see. Solution: Pick a random theme and see a bunch of shows loosely connected to it.<\/p>\n Our theme is \u2018bicycles\u2019. And there are more than you might think! Everything from family stunt shows with Danny Macaskill to Shakespeare productions!<\/p>\n Disclaimer: We haven\u2019t seen these shows, so if they\u2019re terrible it\u2019s not our fault. But if you loved them we\u2019ll take the credit. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cProfessional comedian and avid cyclist Dion Owen brings his best stand-up material with an emphasis on his experiences and passion for life on a bike.\u201d<\/p>\n When:\u00a0 <\/strong> 5-25 August<\/p>\n Where:\u00a0 <\/strong> Laughing Horse @ Finnegan\u2019s Wake \u2013 The Back Room<\/p>\n How Much:\u00a0 <\/strong> Free<\/p>\n \u201cJoin the four-strong, all-male troupe at the Treehouse for a riotous bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare\u2019s famous comedy, filled with drunkenness, frivolity and cross-dressing a plenty.\u201c<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 21-25\u00a0Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 3:\u00a0Assembly George Square Gardens \u2013 The Tree House<\/p>\n How Much <\/strong> : \u00a315<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve cycled 1500 miles to get to the Fringe, carrying on the back of their bikes all of the set, props and costumes they need for their brand-new show.\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 14-18 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 3:\u00a0Assembly George Square Gardens \u2013 The Tree House<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : \u00a315<\/p>\n \u201cBicycle Boy: an interactive, bike-powered eco-musical for children aged five to ten and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 16-18 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 23:\u00a0Pleasance Dome \u2013 Outside<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : Free<\/p>\n \u201cWhether you\u2019re a die-hard in the gym or an after-work spin class hack. If you\u2019ve ever felt confused about your identity, not enough or attempted to find your soul through fitness to no avail! Come ride with Bi-Cycle, and find it!\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 5-12, 24-26 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 300:\u00a0Underbelly, George Square \u2013 The Wee Coo<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : FREE<\/p>\n \u201cLed by world-famous trials rider and YouTube sensation Danny MacAskill, Drop and Roll make their long-awaited Edinburgh Fringe debut with a brand-new show featuring jaw-dropping stunts! Joining Danny will be highly acclaimed trials rider and fellow Scotsman Duncan Shaw, plus more athletes to be announced.\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 5-24 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 360:\u00a0Underbelly\u2019s Circus Hub on the Meadows \u2013 The Lafayette<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : \u00a320<\/p>\n \u201cVisit the Union Canal to experience an array of inspiring and breathtaking images showcasing the best rural, urban and wildlife photography captured on the National Cycle Network in Scotland.\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : Accessible at all times<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 528:\u00a0Lochrin Basin \u2013 Hoardings on the Union Canal<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : Free<\/p>\n \u201cJoin me as I explore cycling, life, death, pollution and my Dad on my quest to discover The Golden Path.\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 5-11, 13-25 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 88:\u00a0Just the Tonic and The Caves \u2013 Just Up the Road<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : \u00a35<\/p>\n \u201cKaren, 17, on her parents: loving and lovable; secret devotees of University Challenge. Oh, and they\u2019re cops. Karen\u2019s parents, on Karen: fearless cycling champion; a sweet natured young lady. Karen\u2019s parents are worried..\u201d<\/p>\n When <\/strong> : 5-10 Aug<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : Venue 53:\u00a0theSpace @ Surgeons Hall \u2013 Haldane Theatre<\/p>\n How much <\/strong> : \u00a35<\/p>\n Meet best friends Nessa and Demelza, two independent, bike-riding heroines uncovering the mysteries of Penfurzy island.<\/p>\n When: <\/strong> \u00a017 Aug<\/p>\n Where: <\/strong> \u00a0Baillie Gifford Imagination Lab<\/p>\n How much: <\/strong> \u00a0\u00a35<\/p>\n Strap on your helmet for a fun and fast-paced event celebrating the final book in Olympic champion cyclist Chris Hoy\u2019s fantastic Flying Fergus series.<\/p>\n When: <\/strong> \u00a013 Aug<\/p>\n Where: <\/strong> \u00a0The New York Times Main Theatre<\/p>\n How much: <\/strong> \u00a0\u00a35<\/p>\n Who\u2019s the greatest rider in British cycling history? Beryl Burton. A dynamo who dominated road racing and time-trialling for three decades, she won 7 world titles and over 90 domestic championships in her career.<\/p>\n When: <\/strong> \u00a023 Aug<\/p>\n Where: <\/strong> \u00a0Spark Theatre on George Street<\/p>\n How much: <\/strong> \u00a0\u00a312<\/p>\n Drinking is a serious part of cycling; until the 1960s, Tour de France cyclists used to drink alcohol during the race. We prefer to do our drinking afterwards, and here are two excellent bicycle-themed pubs in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n From\u00a0 The List <\/a> \u00a0magazine: \u201cThe Ventoux is a rare thing in Edinburgh; it\u2019s a pub. It\u2019s not a real ale pub, or a cocktail bar, or a gastropub. It\u2019s just a pub. It doesn\u2019t have a kitchen, or a TV, or a range of artisan bar snacks. It doesn\u2019t even have a Twitter feed or Instagram. It does have a theme of sorts, which, like it\u2019s sister, The Tourmalet in Leith, is borne of owner Murray McKean\u2019s obsession with the Tour de France, so there\u2019s loads of cycling memorabilia and bikes all over the place, but despite this it\u2019s no MAMIL hangout nor a fixie-geeks den.\u201d<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : 2 Brougham Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9JH \u2013<\/p>\n \u201cNamed after a notoriously difficult Tour de France mountain climb (and sister to The Ventoux in Tollcross), this cycling-themed bar is a friendly, traditional pub, brimming with character.\u201d<\/p>\n Where <\/strong> : 25 Buchanan Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8SQ \u2013<\/p>\n Once you\u2019re done doing all the other things on the list, we\u2019d love to see you in our\u00a0 Edinburgh Bruntsfield <\/a> \u00a0and\u00a0 Canonmills <\/a> \u00a0shops. Come round and say hi!<\/p>\nGETTING INTO TOWN<\/h2>\n
![\"parking.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/6916_1970_6819_parking.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"fringe.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/2216_1970_6817_fringe.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nESCAPE FROM THE FESTIVAL BY BIKE<\/h2>\n
![\"portabello.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/7116_1970_6820_portabello.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Take a cycle down the promenade at Portobello Beach, just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre |\u00a0VisitScotland \/ Kenny Lam, all rights reserved <\/span><\/h5>\n
SEE FESTIVAL SHOWS ABOUT BICYCLES<\/h2>\n
BICYCLES AT THE FRINGE FESTIVAL<\/h2>\n
CYCLOPATH<\/h3>\n
STAND-UP\/STORYTELLING<\/h4>\n
\nTHE HANDLEBARDS: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING<\/h3>\n
THEATRE (FAMILY\/COMEDY)<\/h4>\n
\nTHE HANDLEBARDS: THE TEMPEST<\/h3>\n
THEATRE (FAMILY\/COMEDY)<\/h4>\n
\nBICYCLE BOY<\/h3>\n
CHILDREN\u2019S SHOWS (MUSICAL THEATRE\/FAMILY)<\/h4>\n
\nBI-CYCLE<\/h3>\n
THEATRE (COMEDY\/LGBT)<\/h4>\n
\nDANNY MACASKILL\u2019S DROP AND ROLL LIVE<\/h3>\n
DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND CIRCUS<\/h4>\n
\nADVENTURES ON THE NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION<\/h3>\n
EXHIBITIONS (PHOTOGRAPHY\/FAMILY)<\/h4>\n
\nTHE GOLDEN PATH<\/h3>\n
COMEDY (STAND-UP\/STORYTELLING)<\/h4>\n
\nBIKE<\/h3>\n
THEATRE (NEW WRITING\/DRAMA)<\/h4>\n
\nBICYCLES AT EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL<\/h2>\n
GABRIELLE KENT: GAMING GIRLS AND BIKING BESTIES<\/h3>\n
\nCHRIS HOY: FLYING FERGUS\u2019S BIG FINALE<\/h3>\n
\nWILLIAM FOTHERINGHAM: WONDER WOMAN ON WHEELS<\/h3>\n
\nGO DRINKING BY BICYCLE<\/h2>\n
VENTOUX<\/h3>\n
![\"ventoux.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/7616_1970_6823_ventoux.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTOURMALET<\/h3>\n
![\"tourmalet-1.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.edinburghbicycle.com\/info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/222\/2025\/04\/5516_1970_6821_tourmalet-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nGO BIKE SHOPPING<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHAVE WE MISSED ANYTHING? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!<\/h4>\n