Dates revealed for possible return of Edinburgh Festival shows and concerts in Scotland

Dancers on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Picture: Claudine Quinn

Outdoor events are set to be allowed during the final week of the Edinburgh Festival under a new timetable for easing lockdown restrictions which would allow concert venues and theatres to reopen in September.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the provisional dates during an update for MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, when she also revealed that she had agreed to boost a lifeline fund for performing arts venues to £12.5 million.

The new timetable, which sets out “indicative dates,” could see outdoor theatre, comedy, dance and music events held outdoors in Edinburgh – despite the festivals being officially called off in April. Most festivals are planning online programmes.

Only drive-in events are possible outdoors under the current lockdown rules however a new timetable would allow limited capacity shows to resume with social distancing restrictions in place from Monday 24 August.

Sneaky Pete's is one of Edinburgh's best-known live music venues.

However organisers of events at the Edinburgh festivals will not expected to know until the next official review date on 20 August whether they will definitely be able to go ahead or not.

Meanwhile concert halls, theatres and other performing arts centres have been give a provisional reopening date on Monday 14 September.

However no date has been pencilled in yet for nightclubs to be able to reopen their doors.

Meanwhile it was revealed that an additional £2.5m has been pledged by the Scottish Government to help performing arts venues withstand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.