It’s nearly time for the Edinburgh Festivals to take over the theatres, gyms, hotels, streets and pubs of Scotland’s Capital.
Taking place from August 7-28 (although there are Edinburgh Festival Fringe previews in the days running up to the official launch), there are thousands of shows and events taking place across the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Edinburgh Art Festival.
From film, music and dance, to theatre, comedy and spoken word, there really is something for everybody - including live interviews with some of today’s leading political brains, from former UK Prime Ministers, party leaders and Scottish First Ministers of the past, to freshly-appointed government ministers and the new Prime Minister himself.
Here are 10 of the biggest names in politics appearing at the festivals in 2026.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
.jpeg?trim=0,57,0,57&crop=&width=800)
1. Andy Burnham
When Andy Burnham was initially announced to appear at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe he was still mayor of Manchester and it seemed highly unlikely he was going to become an MP - never mind become Prime Minister. He's now taken on the top job and will be in converation at the Stand 3 Comedy Club at 12.15pm on Wednesday, August 19. It's likely to be one of the hottest tickets in town. | Getty Images
2. Zack Polanski
Zack Polanski has caused quite a stir since taking over as leader of the Green Party since September last year - the party has record membership and is soaring in the polls. He'll be speaking to Iain Dale at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Saturday, August 8, at 4pm. | Getty Images
3. Gordon Brown
Former Prime Minister and Chancellor Gordon Brown will only have to travel over the Forth to attend his event at the Edinburgh Internatonal Book Festival at 11.45am on Friday, August 28. He'll be taking to the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet about his new book 'The Future Starts With Us' where he explains, "in an age of global instability and civic decline, what’s gone wrong and what can ordinary people do to bring positive change to the world?". Gordon Brown will also be taking part in a panel discussion as part of The Global Ideas Stage at the Edinburgh International Festival taking place in the King's Theatre at 4pm on Tuesday, August 11. | Getty Images
4. Nicola Sturgeon
There will be no shortage of questions to ask Nicola Sturgeon - the former First Minister of Scotland has been at the centre of the storm surrounding her estranged husband Peter Murrell's embezzlement case all year. Hear what she has to say about it - and many other topics - at the Pleasance at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre at 12noon on Saturday, August 8. | Getty Images