The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the major five festivals happening in August that sadly will not be opening its gates to the public in 2020 due to the health crisis and major travel restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic.

This spectacular audio-visual show, featuring both national and international military bands, has been running annually since 1950, marking 2020 as the first year the Tattoo has ever been cancelled. Lighting up the sky over the capital and the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, the iconic festival regularly draws in audiences of close to 220,000 people, leaving the organisers and the whole city devastated after this incredibly difficult but understandable decision.

Brigadier David Allfrey, Chief Executive and Producer said: 'Like most people, businesses and institutions, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been working hard to adapt to the unprecedented conditions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic while conforming to the contingency measures being set by our Governments.

'During the early stages of the pandemic, we were naturally keen to retain an option of delivering a 70th anniversary show in some form during August. We were keen to do this as a great many people have come to rely on our annual routines for their livelihood and their entertainment, with associated benefits that stretch internationally and across Scottish and UK tourism. Now though, irrespective of how we as a nation are coping with the pandemic, and even when we contemplate the recovery, we judge it is both impractical and undesirable to stage a Tattoo in anything like its normal form in August.

'Accordingly, we have decided - for the first time in our 70-year history - to cancel all our shows set previously for the period 7 - 29 August 2020.

'For customers who have purchased tickets for the 2020 Tattoo, you will have now received an email with full details on what you should do next.'

Read further information on refunds, and The Royal Military Tattoo's full statement here.