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Every year Edinburgh plays host to the world's biggest arts festival, when the capital bursts into life in a riot of entertainment unmatched anywhere. Edinburgh during its Festival has been described as "the cultural hub of the world". Over a million tourists descend on the city to experience a brain- sapping variety of acts performed in a frightening variety of venues across the city. The Edinburgh Festival is actually a collection of different festivals running alongside each other, from the end of July through to the beginning of September. The big names in the International Festival need to booked up months in advance, and the growth of internet booking has also meant that many of the better- known Fringe acts are sold out well in advance. But it's still possible to leave it till you arrive in the city to draft an itinerary – especially if you’re prepared to take a few risks. The city's other great celebrat- ions are of more visceral than cerebral appeal, such as the pagan Beltane Festival and Hogmanay which has grown over the years to become the largest street party in the northern hemisphere.
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