NHS Festival Sessions

14 April, 2026 - 31 August, 2026 / Hospitals across NHS Lothian

As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, the London Symphony Orchestra play at a Hospital in the Lothians. Image © to Mihaela Bodlovic — London Symphony Orchestra at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic

We’re thrilled to be continuing our exciting partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, bringing world class artists to perform for patients and staff across NHS Lothian through our NHS Festival Sessions.

Music is a powerful tool: it evokes memories, it helps alleviate stress and anxiety, and it provides comfort at difficult times. For patients and staff in hospitals, however, accessing live musical performances and attending cultural events such as the Edinburgh International Festival is not always possible. So, Festival Sessions bring the healing power of music to them!

To maximise accessibility and impact, our performances will be held in spaces that are the most convenient for patients and staff, including community gardens, courtyards, clinical wards, and communal areas. Each performance will be approximately 30 minutes, giving staff the opportunity to participate during breaks.

Dates and locations for performances

Please note that dates and performers may be subject to change.

Tues 14th April: Dana: Canteen, St John’s Hospital – 12.45-1.15pm

Tues 5th May or Tues 12th May – TBC

Tues 16th June – TBC

Tues 7th July – TBC

August dates to be confirmed

The performance was top notch, I was moved to tears by the first song.”

Patient, Blackford Ward, Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Bringing the transformative power of the arts to hospital settings

At one of our very first performances, we welcomed world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra to our hospital sites to perform for patients. Find out what staff and patients had to say about this collaboration with Edinburgh International Festival.