NHS Festival Sessions
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 brings 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.
- 9th April, 2025 – The Hive, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, 4pm
- May 7th, 2025 – Western General Hospital
- June 11th, 2025 – Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
- July 16th, 2025 – St John’s Hospital
- August 12th, 2025 – Royal Edinburgh Hospital
- August 14th, 2025 – Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
- August 19th, 2025 – Western General Hospital
- September 10th, 2025 – St John’s Hospital
Patient, Blackford Ward, Royal Edinburgh HospitalThe performance was top notch, I was moved to tears by the first song.”
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.
With thanks to Edinburgh International Festival.
