What's On Scotland 31 Jul-6 Aug: Govanhill International Festival & more

Organised by the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Govanhill International Festival and Carnival is an incredible celebration of local community power and the arts, this year taking place in venues across the neighbourhood from 1-10 August.

The Govanhill Baths Community Trust began as an occupation of the baths to return it to the community over two decades ago, and this spirit has continued in the festival, which focuses on solidarity and the possibilities of small, local endeavours. There’s a parade and carnival, a street music festival feat. the likes of Maz (pictured) amongst others, a book festival including the likes of Chris McQueer and Nicola Sturgeon, a Palestine arts strand and even more to be discovered. Find the full programme here.

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Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh. 30 Jul-25 Aug (not 11 +18), 5pm
Live Rent Free! Fight The Law, But Actually Win! Take Back Control (Of Your Kitchen)! Crime and Punishment meets Home Alone in this wild new theatre comedy, where 3 plucky young housemates will do whatever it takes to escape eviction even if it means the unthinkable…

Small Town Boys
ZOO Southside, Edinburgh. 1-17 Aug (not 4, 11), 7:15pm
Taking its title and inspiration from Bronski Beat’s classic song of the same name, Small Town Boys follows a young boy as he moves to the big city and finds joy and belonging within the queer community, against the backdrop of a sudden health crisis and immense governmental neglect. Image: Maria Falconer.

EHFM Festival Party
Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, 2 Aug, 11pm
EHFM are throwing their annual Fringe party, with a star-studded lineup of the community radio station’s best and brightest DJs. Find al gu, Saint Sunday, Otis Worming, Aoibhil, BELLAROSA and Ria spinning everything from electro and house to dub and R‘n’B. Image: stuartweediemedia.

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Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. 1-24 Aug, 1:30pm
Two friends, one unforgettable year: two births, a death, 34,000 tears (each), and one piece of chunky jewellery. It was a year to forget but Natasha & Jude turned it into a show. This is a comedy that bites – a raw, hilarious, and heart-warming celebration of sisterhood. With Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke of Lost Dog, they deliver an unflinchingly honest ride through grief, joy, and survival. Chunky Jewellery is a rollercoaster you won’t want to miss.

Sub Club Southside Weekender
Queen's Park Arena Bandstand, Glasgow. 2-3 Aug
There’s a real mix of international and homegrown talent at Sub Club Southside Weekender. Find Detroit and Chicago legends Moodyman and Ron Trent playing alongside DJ Minx, Rebecca Vasmant, and Moxie as well as Sub Club’s four Subculture residents.

Shedinburgh
The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh. 1-24 Aug
New Fringe venue Shedinburgh are taking over The Wee Red Bar in August with an impressive programme of past Fringe hits and works-in-progress. Find the likes of Haley McGee’s Age Is a Feeling, Ivo Graham’s Balloons, and Sh!t Theatre: Or What's Left Of Us. Image: Thea Courtney.

↪ Fringe By the Sea
Various venues, North Berwick. 1-10 Aug
If there wasn't quite enough Fringe, there's also the Fringe on the fringes of the Fringe: Fringe by the Sea (I'll stop now), a ten-day festival of music, performances and workshops at North Berwick, including electro band Air playing their iconic album Moon Safari. Image: Mathieu Rainaud.

→ Pistol Daisys
The Hug and Pint, Glasgow. 6 Aug, 7:30pm
Glasgow alt-pop outfit Pistol Daisys [sic] have a couple of singles under their belt already, and have been on tour with Callum Beattie. They're now supporting Scottish rockers Big Country on tour, as well as a handful of their own headline shows.

→ Boiler Room Edinburgh
Hopetoun House, Edinburgh. 3 Aug, 2pm
Legendary dance music event Boiler Room stops off briefly in Edinburgh with their quintessential in-the-round set up and DJ sets from Armand Van Helden, Ewan McVicar, MESSIE and more.