All you need to know about the Beltane Fire Festival
Edinburgh’s popular Beltane Fire Festival returns to Calton Hill next week - a spectacular celebratory event that attracts thousands each year.
The ancient Celtic event celebrates fire, new life and purity, and marks the end of the darker seasons and the arrival of summer on May Day. The age old tradition, that goes back 3,000 years, was first revived for modern times in Edinburgh in 1988 and is now one the largest celebrations of its kind in the world.
The extravaganza will see hundreds of volunteers from the Beltane Fire Society entertain large crowds with pulsating percussion, dramatic story telling, dazzling fire displays and mesmerising dance routines. This year, the historic event will focus on climate change - depicting how seasons have changed overtime compared to when the tradition was first performed by our ancestors.
Organisers said the festival will retell the traditional stories of The May Queen, and The Death and Rebirth of The Green Man, set amongst fire-play, acrobatics, drummers, dancers, musicians, witches, actors, a cavalcade of curious and larger-than-life characters, and even a little chaos.
They added: “For us, our story is one of empowerment in the face of climate change, as we invite witnesses to join the May Queen in observing and righting the natural cycles of the world.” The event is open to people of all ages but visitors under 16-years-old must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Organisers also advise parents who are bringing children to use discretion with some parts of the event containing ‘seminudity and uninhibited behaviour’. Several members of the Beltane Fire Festival spoke to the Evening News ahead of the event.
Ahead of the event, visitors can buy tickets for a reduced price. Adult tickets cost £14 and under 16 tickets cost £8. These prices increase to £20 and £10 respectively if purchased on the day. Tuesday, April 30, between 8pm and 1am. Gates open at 7.30pm and last entry is at 11pm. For more information about the event and to book tickets visit Beltane Fire Society website.