NATIONAL EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS
A curated selection of events of national interest, each connected in some way to military heritage. We hope these will inspire you to explore, discover, and attend an event of particular interest.
For ticketing and further information, please refer to the respective event’s official website, where full details can be found.
For information about events organised by The Military Antiquary, please see here.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh military Tattoo 2026: A Call to Gather
The 2026 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, titled A Call to Gather, runs from 7–29 August 2026 on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. This year's production takes the idea of the traditional Scottish clan gathering and expands it into a gathering of nations, allies, friends and kindred spirits. The Royal Air Force is the Lead Service for the 2026 show.
Audiences can expect the elements that have made the Tattoo famous: the Massed Pipes and Drums, Highland dancing, military bands and precision displays, combined with international performers and a contemporary production incorporating storytelling, lighting and special effects. Pyrotechnics, lasers, smoke and haze effects and strobe lighting are also being used in the 2026 production.
Among the principal performers this year are the Massed Military Bands of the Royal Air Force, Led by Principal Director of Music (RAF) Wing Commander Richard Murray, and Senior Drum Major (RAF) Warrant Officer Paul Phelan MVO, the Massed Bands of the Royal Air Force are comprised of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Band of the Royal Air Force College, the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, and members of the Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Musicians from all bands along with the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra will form the stage band.
other performers include the German Army Band Koblenz AND the United States Army Field Band.
Scottish and Commonwealth military traditions feature prominently too. The 2026 line-up includes the 10th Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment Pipes and Drums, 154 (Scottish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps Pipes and Drums, the Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums, the Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Vancouver Police Pipes and Drums and the returning New Zealand Army Band.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.edintattoo.co.uk
