From the Fringe to the Book Festival, heres ELLEs pick of the best events happening at the seven summer festivals in the Scottish capital.
Circa: Wunderkammer
Imagine an elfin young woman balancing a seriously ripped hunk on her shoulders. Now picture them both in lacy lingerie. Throw in five more agile performers and you get Circa: Wunderkammer, an acrobatic troupe that mixes death-defying stunts with vaudeville humour. Until August 25th
Sarah Pascoe
Smart-girl Sarah Pascoe is fast becoming a big name on the comedy circuit. Her new Fringe routine is an hour of entertaining existential musings peppered with amusing personal anecdotes and the odd right-on rant. Until August 26
An Actors Lament
This witty play gives audiences a glimpse of what its like stage-side. Steven Berkoff and Andree Bernard play thesps talking board-treading over more than a few drinks. Until August 20
The Boy With Tape On His Face: More Tape
This award-winning mime act invites game audience members onto the stage for a series of hilarious sketches involving classic pop anthems and seemingly random props. Full on fun. Until August 24
Best Burlesque
You cant do the Fringe without catching a midnight show and this is a diverting option. Saucy strip tease acts mix with magicians and music in front of a lively crowd. Until August 25
The Poet Speaks
A rare chance to hear punk icon Patti Smith read her own poetry with piano accompaniment from minimalist composer Philip Glass. Both pay tribute to their Beat Poet friend Allen Ginsberg. August 13
Writing Under The Influence
Famed feminist author Margaret Atwood talks about the joys of storytelling and the different channels through which stories reach us today novels, films, TV and computer games. Writers Naomi Alderman and Valerie Martin join the discussion. August 25
Hamlet
This edgy version of Shakespeares play comes from a New York theatre group dubbed, the Rolling Stones of experimental theatre. It also features the creative use of archive footage - Richard Burton in a 1964 Broadway performance. 10-13 August
LA Dance Project
Benjamin Millepied not only choreographed Black Swan, he also married the films star Natalie Portman. This dance collective performs both his new and classic choreography. 24-26 August
Comedy Awards Show
A chance to see the contenders for the Fringes top comedy award past winners include Emma Thompson, Steve Coogan and The League of Gentlemen. 25 August
Highlights from Edinburgh's International Film Festival 2013