Festival Opening Times: 12:30 - 17:30

Castle grounds | 13:00-16:30 | Storytelling & Circus

Edinburgh-Kyoto Friendship Garden | 13:00-17:00 | Multi-Art

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival is welcoming World Cultures back at Lauriston Castle! On Sunday, 20 September 2026, the Lauriston Castle grounds will be home to Dance, Music, Storytelling, Circus and Crafts from around the globe celebrating cultural diversity nestled in our city.

The multi-art programme spotlighting Japanese dance, stories and music curated by Mio Shudo will be topped with the signature Japanese tea ceremony bringing everyone together for a moment of calmness and reflection in the beautiful surroundings of the Kyoto-Edinburgh Friendship Garden.

The Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association, Ahalya Dance Academy and African Connections CIC will share the dance stage floating, stamping and stomping as they present routines inspired by folk customs and traditions captured in Asian, South Asian and African narratives. The Dragon, the Tiger and the Lion will come to life in their dance forms as mesmerising and hypnotising beats make your body move in rhythm.

This year’s storytelling programme will engage younger and older audiences alike as we present multilingual adventures at the Bell Tent filled with stories and tunes from Scotland, France, Spain and South Africa. Featuring the four-piece musical storytelling troupe Singing Willows, and storytellers Inés Álvarez Villa and Sabie Madubela, the tent will turn into a cultural shuttle taking you to imaginary places from book pages expanding corners of your imagination.

Finally, Think Circus will offer entertainment and playtime as their unique ground-based circus arts such as juggling, acrobatics, stilt-walking, hula hoop and balance skills will fill the grounds with joy and laughter!

So, join us from 12:30 to 5PM for a welcoming family friendly cultural day in Edinburgh and bring everyone you know and love to share this unique multicultural experience supported by The City of Edinburgh Council.