What's On Scotland 16-24 Jul: Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival & more

A mere handful of weeks before Edinburgh is taken over by five thousand different festivals, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival stakes its claim as the first of the city's summer festivals, running in the comparatively calmer period of 17-26 July.

Over ten days, the festival platforms over 100 gigs in venues across the city, including performances by acclaimed American saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, French guitarist Nguyên Lê and New Orleans’ brass outfit Tuba Skinny. There's also a focus this year on jazz culture in the Netherlands, with musicians such as Harmen Fraanje and Peter Somuah, the festival's usual spotlight on Scottish jazz artists, and a Mardi Gras celebration right on the Grassmarket. Check out the full programme here for more smooth sounds.

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Symphonic Pride
City Halls, Glasgow. 22 July, 7.30pm

Big emotions. Bigger personalities! From Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, one of classical music's most breathtaking expressions of emotion, to Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club reimagined for full orchestra, Symphonic Pride is a celebration of creativity, belonging and joy. Whether you're new to classical music or already a fan, join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in celebrating the LGBTQ+ artists whose creativity has helped shape the art form across the centuries. "A concert that's impossible not to enjoy" — conductor Jessica Cottis.

Cowgate Block Party
Various venues, Edinburgh. 18 Jul, 3pm
Who knows what the Scottish weather will do but Cowgate Block Party’s first summer edition might give us real block party vibes, and if it’s raining, well – there’s performances from the likes of Ask Alice, Hot Face, Both Hands (pictured) and Faex Optim to keep you happy. Image: Laura Meek.

Queer Theory x Bum Notes Pride
Mono, Glasgow, 18 Jul, 2pm
A daylong Pride special from beloved queer cabaret, with live music from comedy punk band Amelia & the Snacks and Afrofuturist rapper EYVE, cabaret from circus artist Sadiq Ali and Saffron Cherry’s Butch Cashidy, and DJ sets from Dean Munch and Groundskeeper Fanny. Image: Glen McCarty.

Crowded Flat presents: Junk + Peach Crumb + Mantel
The Hug and Pint, Glasgow, 16 Jul, 7pm
Presented by Crowded Flat – a Glasgow collective platforming emerging artists and small venues – this gig pulls together some of the rising stars of the UK's grassroots scene: Sheffield indie outfit Junk, Glasgow pop princess Peach Crumb (pictured) and indie funk band Mantel. Image: Oli Erskine.

Food on Film
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow. 17-29 Jul
Peckish? There's a three-course extravaganza on at Glasgow Film Theatre beginning this week, dedicated to the pleasures of food on film. It kicks off with Stanley Tucci's Big Night, followed by Ritesh Batra’s rom-com The Lunchbox and Juzo Itami's ramen western Tampopo.

↪ Jamie Fitzpatrick: Memorials to Sausage Politics
Edinburgh Printmakers, Edinburgh. 24 Jul-25 Oct
Exploring sculpture and statue-making as a tool of civic statecraft, Jamie Fitzpatrick's excellently titled Memorials to Sausage Politics pulls inspiration from elements of statues and monuments found in Edinburgh.

→ Talawa Mama #03
Jamaica Yard, Edinburgh. 17 Jul, 6pm
A luscious celebration of dancehall, soca and Caribbean music and culture, the third edition of Talawa Mama features Glasgow DJ saparilla warming up the decks, with a b2b with DJs Ria and makaya.

→ Iran Weekend 2026
Filmhouse, Edinburgh. 17-19 Jul
Put on by Women Life Freedom Edinburgh, this mini film festival features five screenings and two Q&As exploring ideas of conflict, sacrifice, trauma, gender, and everyday life through the work of Iranian filmmakers.