Samhuinn Fire Festival Edinburgh 2026: Guide and Old Town Wheel

Samhuinn Fire Festival on Calton Hill, 31 October 2026: tickets, timings, what to bring, and an Edinburgh Old Town wheel to spin beforehand.

On Saturday 31 October 2026, Edinburgh's Calton Hill hosts the Samhuinn Fire Festival, a night of fire, drumming, dance and immersive theatre marking the move from summer to winter. It is run by the Beltane Fire Society, the community arts charity behind Edinburgh's two fire festivals. If you will be in town, here is what to know and what to spin beforehand.

The essentials

Where: Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA.
When: Halloween night, 31 October. Gates are listed at 6:30pm.
Tickets: from £12 to £15 plus a booking fee, sold only through the official box office partner, Citizen Ticket. The organisers warn about fake sites and scams, so do not buy anywhere else. Refunds close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 28 October.
The story: the Cailleach, the divine crone, oversees the battle of the Summer and Winter courts, told through fire-play, drumming, acrobatics and costume.
Good to know: the ground is uneven and can be slippery when wet, parts of the site are very dark so bring a torch, and the organisers note the show includes semi-nudity. Under 16s must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Check the Beltane Fire Society page for any last-minute changes. Also on in Edinburgh this month, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival runs 21 to 31 October, according to Forever Edinburgh.

Spin the Old Town first

Samhuinn starts after dark, which leaves the day free. Two public creator wheels give you somewhere to start:

Edinburgh Castles & Old Town includes *The Real Mary King's Close*, *Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh*, *Greyfriars Bobby Statue*, *Edinburgh Castle*, *Royal Mile*, *Scott Monument*, *Camera Obscura & World of Illusions* and *The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle*. Several of those suit a Halloween-night mood.
Edinburgh City of Literature is for the bookish side, with quests like *Golden Hare Books*, *Armchair Books*, *Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh* and *Black Moon Botanica*.

A plan that ends on the hill

1. Daytime: spin the Old Town wheel and do whatever it lands on. If it picks the Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, book ahead.
2. Late afternoon: a quick stop at Princes Street Gardens or the Scott Monument for views as the light fades.
3. Evening: walk up to Calton Hill with a torch and warm layers. Arrive early, as the site fills and paths are narrow.

Spin It Yourself

Spin the Edinburgh Castles & Old Town wheel and let the city choose your day, or try Edinburgh City of Literature.

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