Edinburgh Beltane Fire

Where: Edinburgh at Calton Hill
When: 30th April
Time: 9 pm onwards

 

Beltane 2014 by Jasper Schwartz 02

The Beltane Fire held every 30th April on Calton Hill is a modern revival of the ancient festival of Beltane, which was one of the quarter-days marking the divisions of the Celtic year. A torchlit procession starting at the Acropolis National Monument is followed by fertility plays starring the Green Man of legend and the May Queen and her handmaidens. Performances take place at multiple focus points over the entire Calton Hill site.Expect rituals, dancing and acrobatics before the procession reaches the bonfire site; blessings are performed and the fire is lit. Crowds of thousands attend.

Helpful Hints

In 2025 it should be on Wednesday 30th April- check link below for details and tickets (which were £12 in advance in 2023 and £20 on the day if any were available by then).

In recent years it has become necessary to charge for tickets for the Beltane – every penny of the ticket cost goes towards the cost of staging the event, such as security, first aid, road closures and the clean up of Calton Hill post event.

Crowds of over 10,000 attend this event so allow plenty of time to get there.

Click here for the event website : http://www.beltane.org/

Feature photo by Jasper Schwartz.

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