Edinburgh events levy ‘threat’ to city’s cultural scene, festival organisers warn

A new levy on events in many of Edinburgh’s parks “threatens the vibrancy of the city’s cultural scene”, the organisers of the Beltane Fire Festival have warned.

In a statement issued ahead of this year’s festival, which takes place on the city’s Calton Hill on April 30, the Beltane Fire Society (BFS) said the levy was a “blow” to the city’s heritage and to the “sense of belonging that events like Beltane create”.

The premier parks events levy was implemented by Edinburgh City Council in October last year, and means many large ticketed events in the city’s seven “premier park” sites are subject to an additional tax on every ticket sold.

The BFS warned the levy places a “significant financial strain” on grassroots organisations at a time of rising costs, and that it had implications for the city’s ability to hold “safe cultural and community-based events”.

They added the inclusion of Calton Hill in the list of parks covered by the levy was a “targeted attack” on the annual festival, since it is the only event that takes place there that falls within its scope.

The statement read: “BFS expresses its deep disappointment with the recently proposed ticket levy and its implications for the city’s ability to hold safe cultural and community-based events in Edinburgh.

“This levy, while presented alongside a minor reduction in some fees, ultimately burdens grassroots organisations like ours with a significant financial strain.”

It added: “With skyrocketing event sector costs increasing beyond inflation, already strained budgets, and the continued mismanagement of council budgets park resources, we fear this levy will only serve to diminish Edinburgh’s thriving arts community, undermining our shared commitment to fostering cultural expression and public participation.”

The statement comes amid preparations for the 2025 edition of the popular festival, which was first held in 1988.

Jenny Bloom, chair of the BFS, said: “Hundreds of volunteers are already hard at work building the props, stories and music that will weave into this year’s Beltane Festival.

“In these strange and difficult times, moments of joy, hope and community are so important.

“We’re excited to share the transformational stories of Beltane with Edinburgh and the world.”

The festival retells the “traditional stories” of the May Queen and death and rebirth of the Green Man, and features a “whole assortment” of larger-than-life characters, fire performances, acrobatics, drummers, dancers and musicians.

The organisers said the 2025 festival has a focus on rewilding, and said every part of the festival was a “call to action” to reimagine our place in the world, and our role in the “land’s story”.

Calton Hill is one of seven parks covered by the premier parks events levy, alongside Princes Street Gardens, the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, Inverleith Park, Leith Links, Saughton Park and Lauriston Castle Gardens.

Edinburgh City Council has been approached for comment.