Edinburgh Festival Fireworks in Pictures: Here are 17 amazing photos of the much-missed annual spectacular over the years

The last time the event was held was 2019.

The Edinburgh International Festival fireworks used to be very much part of the Capital’s calendar, marking the end of the festival since 1982.

Around 250,000 people packed into the city centre, Princes Street Gardens and atop the city’s seven hills to watch fireworks above Edinburgh Castle, choreographed to classical music.

The 45-minute display was the largest of its kind in the world and peaked with a cascade of fire down Castle Rock.

Prior to 1982 fireworks were also a regular part of festival season, but with the event held at the start of August instead.

The fireworks were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic but failed to return in 2022 when organisers scrapped the show indefinitely due to lack of sponsorship and rising post-pandemic costs.

We’re taking a look back at the displays of the past, on the day (Monday, August 31) when the fireworks would have traditionally taken place.

So here are 17 pictures of the Edinburgh International Festival fireworks over the years.

Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.