Connect Music Festival – Edinburgh, Scotland 2026
Overview
Connect Music Festival returns to Edinburgh in 2026, building on its reputation as Scotland’s premier urban music extravaganza, uniting influential global pioneers with homegrown indie and electronic heroes at the expansive Royal Highland Centre. After successful editions in 2022 and 2023, this three-day event promises a bold evolution, blending high-energy headliners with intimate discovery stages amid the historic grounds near the city’s airport, offering an accessible gateway to unforgettable live experiences. Curated by Live Nation, Connect emphasizes diversity and innovation, featuring a genre-spanning lineup that spans rock, electronic, hip-hop, and alternative sounds, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh’s rolling meadows and urban edge.
As a celebration of music’s connective power, the 2026 edition enhances its family-friendly focus with expanded kids’ zones, sustainable practices like zero-waste initiatives, and pop-up cultural activations that weave Scottish heritage with international flair. Expect a vibrant ecosystem of street food markets, art installations, and wellness corners that transform the site into a cultural village, drawing thousands for a weekend of sonic immersion and community spirit. Whether you’re chasing festival anthems or hidden gems, Connect 2026 delivers an inclusive, electrifying escape that honors Edinburgh’s creative pulse while looking forward to the next wave of sounds.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: A stellar lineup echoing past triumphs with acts like Primal Scream’s psychedelic rock, Fred Again..’s genre-bending electronic sets, and boygenius’ intimate indie harmonies, alongside 2026 additions in hip-hop, pop, and Scottish talent across multiple stages at the Royal Highland Centre.
- Special traditions or features: The festival’s “Connect Collective” series of artist collaborations and surprise guest spots, plus family viewing areas in the Grand Parade field, upholding its commitment to inclusivity and high-energy, multi-generational vibes.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Interactive zones with malt-inspired street food fusions (vegan/gluten-free options), eco-art installations from local creators, and a craft market blending Scottish crafts with global merch, all enhanced by the site’s open-air layout for sunset sets.
Why Attend
Connect Music Festival 2026 is your portal to Edinburgh’s beating musical heart, where the raw thrill of Primal Scream’s riffs meets Fred Again..’s euphoric drops in a setting that fuses urban accessibility with pastoral charm. It’s a festival that defies the ordinary, prioritizing discovery over spectacle—wander from a boygenius confessional to an electronic dawn chorus, forging bonds with fellow fans amid the Royal Highland Centre’s expansive fields. In a landscape of cookie-cutter events, Connect’s curated intimacy shines, spotlighting voices from the margins while embracing Scotland’s cultural mosaic, all underpinned by green initiatives that make your revelry feel responsible and rewarding.
This edition elevates the experience with family zones that welcome all ages and pop-up activations that spark creativity, turning attendees into participants in a living soundtrack. For locals and far-flung explorers, it’s a low-stress highlight in 2026’s calendar, blending high-octane energy with reflective pauses that recharge the soul. Come for the anthems, stay for the connections, and leave with a playlist reborn and memories that echo Edinburgh’s timeless allure. Connect isn’t just a festival—it’s a spark that ignites lasting passions.
Date & Duration
- Dates: August 28–30, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB (expansive showgrounds near Edinburgh Airport, featuring open fields, indoor halls, and easy access for a seamless urban-rural festival vibe).
Ticket Information
- How tickets are sold: Online via connectmusicfestival.com and Ticketmaster; early bird presales for subscribers; limited on-site box office for day-of purchases.
- Whether admission is free or paid: Paid admission only; child tickets for under-12s at reduced rates.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: 3-day GA starts at $200 USD, VIP at $350 USD; single-day GA at $80 USD; child (under 12) $40 USD; prices include fees, subject to dynamic scaling.
- Any special seating or VIP options: GA provides full site access with lawn seating; VIP offers priority entry, premium viewing platforms, private bars, and exclusive lounges; family areas with shaded seating.
- Minimum ticket price: $80 USD (1-day general admission).
- Maximum ticket price: $350 USD (3-day VIP package).
- All tickets digital with wristband exchange; non-refundable except for cancellations; group/family discounts available; resale via official partners only.
Booking with Euro Travelo
- Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress?
- Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish.
- Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for music lovers across Europe.
- Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: hello@connectmusicfestival.com (general inquiries, tickets); website@livenation.com (accessibility and feedback).
- Phone: Not specified; use website contact form for prompt responses.
- Website: https://connectmusicfestival.com (lineup, tickets, updates).
- Social Media: @connectfestsco (Facebook for announcements and fan engagement).
- Key Staff: Live Nation team oversees operations; direct artist queries via general email.
- Press/Volunteers: Press kits to hello@connectmusicfestival.com; volunteer opportunities TBD—email for 2026 applications.
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English support; sign up for newsletter for presale alerts.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Edinburgh (EDI), 10 minutes by taxi to the venue; Glasgow (GLA), 1 hour by train/car.
- Public transport: Edinburgh Waverley to Ingliston via 98 bus (30 mins from St Andrew Square); trams from airport stop nearby.
- Parking: On-site lots ($15–20 USD/day, pre-book); car-sharing encouraged to reduce congestion.
- Other options: Festival shuttles from city center ($10 USD round-trip); cycle paths from Gogar; walking from nearby trams (5 mins).
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Travelodge Edinburgh Airport (1 mile) from $80 USD/night with free shuttle and basic amenities.
- Mid-range hotels: Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport (0.5 miles) at $120 USD/night, including breakfast and group rates.
- Luxury options: Norton House Hotel & Spa (3 miles) from $200 USD/night with gourmet dining and festival packages.
- Alternative stays: Airbnbs in Ingliston (walkable, $100–150 USD/night); glamping at Royal Highland grounds ($130 USD/night).
- Booking tips: Bundle with tickets via Euro Travelo for discounts; August peaks—book early; free cancellation up to 48 hours.
Reviews
- Primal Scream’s set was legendary, and the family zones made it easy for all ages—Edinburgh’s best music weekend hands down.
- Fred Again.. brought the house down all night; food markets were spot on, and the site’s accessibility was a game-changer.
- Boygenius had us in tears, lineup perfection, and the eco-vibes added heart—can’t wait for more Connect magic.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What time should I arrive for the festival each day?
Gates open at 12:00 PM for GA at the Royal Highland Centre, with VIP at 11:30 AM for early access to markets and stages. Arrive by 11:45 AM to clear security (10–15 minutes) and snag spots near the main field. Music starts at 1:00 PM on side stages, headliners like Primal Scream from 8:00 PM. The app provides live schedules and maps for easy navigation. Shuttles from Edinburgh center run from 10:00 AM, and parking is validated at entry. Early birds explore pop-ups and avoid lines, setting the tone for Connect's electric vibe. Last entry is 9:30 PM, with the event ending at 11:00 PM. This timing ensures you catch every pulse of the festival's dynamic energy.
Are there age restrictions or family-friendly elements at the festival?
Connect is all-ages, with under-12s at $40 USD via child tickets when with an adult (one per two minors). Under-18s require chaperone for safety. Family viewing areas in the Grand Parade offer shaded seating and kid activities like mini DJ workshops. Acts like boygenius provide mellow, engaging sets for younger fans, while parents rave to Fred Again... Strollers allowed in open zones but not crowds; quiet hours post-10:00 PM. Email hello@ for family bundles and tips. The setup fosters inclusive fun, blending high-energy music with gentle spaces. It's a multi-gen haven where everyone connects through sound.
Can I bring my own food or drinks to the festival?
Outside food/drinks limited to sealed water (1L) for vendor support and security at Royal Highland Centre. No glass, alcohol, or coolers permitted, but free refill stations abound. Stalls offer malt-infused global fusions from $10 USD (vegan/gluten-free marked). Bars serve local ales, cocktails, and non-alc options via card/contactless. Picnic lawns enable chill meals between sets. Prescriptions ok with ID at entry for medical needs. Preview via app to match bites with the lineup. This policy keeps grounds clean while highlighting Edinburgh's flavors.
What happens if it rains—is there a backup plan for the festival?
Connect is rain-or-shine, with covered main stages and tents at Royal Highland Centre for seamless performances. Ponchos on-site for $5 USD; umbrellas banned in crowds for views. Light Scottish rain adds atmosphere, with heated VIP lounges as retreats. App/email alerts for shifts to indoor halls in storms. Past editions thrived in drizzle, boosting communal spirit. If canceled (unlikely for August), refunds via portal. Organizers track weather closely. Turn showers into singalong magic under the stars.
How accessible is the venue for those with disabilities?
Royal Highland Centre is WCAG 2.1 compliant, with ramps and 50+ wheelchair spaces (reserve via hello@). Free carer tickets, priority entry for ease. ASL for headliners like boygenius, sensory kits/quiet zones available. Guide dogs welcome; mobility mats over fields. Restrooms ADA-adapted, shuttles priority-boarding. Contact website@livenation.com for audio descriptions or aids. Design ensures barrier-free joy, from front views to family areas. Live Nation's focus makes Connect inclusive for all.
