Edinburgh Military Tattoo Tickets

Edinburgh Military Tattoo: music and dance at Edinburgh Castle

Held annually on the majestic esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a series of military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands.

Not to be confused with tattoos of the ink kind, the event showcases music, ceremony, theatre and dance every weekday evening and twice on Saturdays throughout August. Throughout its near 60-year history, the event has featured performers from 48 different countries and has grown to become one of Edinburgh's most anticipated events.

With the display now bringing in an annual audience of over 217,000 – and having sold out well in advance every year for over a decade – you'll need to move quickly to secure your place in the crowd. Buy Edinburgh Military Tattoo tickets now at StubHub and see the exhibitions live. 

Edinburgh Military Tattoo: an international favourite for over half a century

Rather curiously, the term "tattoo" comes from the early 17th century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe ("turn off the tap"), a signal sounded by drummers or trumpeters to instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving beer and for soldiers to return to their barracks.

The first official EMT took place in 1950, attracting an audience of 6,000 spectators. Times have changed since then, with the display now bringing in an annual audience of over 217,000, and selling out well in advance every year for over a decade. The Tattoo has proved to be an internationally-renowned affair too, with over 70,000 of the spectators originating from overseas and a further 100 million people watching the event on television worldwide.

The highlight of every Tattoo continues to be the massed pipes and drums, provided by regiments of the British Army and visiting civilian and military pipes and drums from around the world, while the fireworks display (held on the event's second Saturday night) is also hugely popular.

The Tattoo is run for charitable causes and over the years has given over £5 million to military and civilian charities and organisations, such as the Army Benevolent Fund. Book your place at one of the UK's favourite celebrations of music and entertainment; buy Edinburgh Military Tattoo tickets now at StubHub. 

More events for Edinburgh Military Tattoo fans

After purchasing Edinburgh Military Tattoo tickets, why not check out more annual events throughout the UK? Find listings for Notting Hill Carnival and Wilderness festival, among other cultural happenings, at StubHub.