Outdoor

Samhuinn Fire Festival 2026

Go Local Edinburgh and Lothians

(Sat 31 Oct: 6:45pm)

Hundreds of performers from the Beltane Fire Society will transform one of Edinburgh's most iconic landmarks for a spectacular celebration of Scotland's Celtic heritage, bringing together fire-play, drumming, acrobatics, dance, immersive performance and elaborate costumes on Halloween night.

At the heart of this year's festival stands the Cailleach, the ancient Crone and Goddess of Winter. She reminds us that Winter is not simply an ending, but a necessary part of the cycle of life, death and renewal. Beneath her frozen cloak, the earth rests and gathers its strength, ready for life to begin again.

Beside her, the Summer King and Winter Queen bring this ancient story into the contemporary world. A tired Summer King explores our culture of consumption and the consequences of continually demanding more, while the Winter Queen confronts personal and collective grief, learning that some things cannot be defeated, but can be carried together. Their stories return us to the wisdom of the Cailleach: endings are part of living, rest is necessary, and Winter is not the end of life, but one of the ways life survives.

This Samhuinn, audiences are invited to gather around the fire, step beneath the Cailleach's cloak and join the turning of the Wheel, welcoming Winter with one of Edinburgh's most spectacular nights of fire, mythology and performance.

At Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA.

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This year’s Festival explores the rich relationship between storytelling and the natural world through our theme Bird and Beast. Alongside a vibrant programme at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, storytellers across Scotland bring these tales to life this autumn through the Go Local programme. We proudly celebrate Scotland’s cèilidh tradition with an invitation into the story circle, extending a warm welcome to international guests who share their stories, traditions and contemporary practices alongside Scotland’s own world-class talent. Join us for some unforgettable tales and moments that bring us closer to nature, as we follow the trail of footprints and feathers and let our imagination take flight.

• SISF - Go Local
• £16.38
• 31 October 2026
• 255 minutes
• 18:30
• Scottish International Storytelling Festival
• Regional Events