And the city’s theatre scene has a rich heritage, stretching back into the mists of time, or in this case the 1970s.
Here are some fascinating old photographs selected from the Evening News archives showing some highlights from the Capital’s theatre scene back in these halcyon days.
Scroll through the pictures and get a flavour of memorable moments from Edinburgh nearly five decades ago.
1. Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson at the Wireworks Theatre, off the Royal Mile, in July 1979 to help put up scaffolding and move rubble in order to to get the venue ready in time for the Festival. | TSPL Photo: George Smith
2. Danny La Rue
Female impersonator and actor Danny La Rue with Jacquie Toye outside the Kings Theatre Edinburgh in May 1977 | TSPL Photo: Dick Ewart
3. Cinderella punk
The Ugly Sisters go punk : Stanley Baxter and Angus Lennie in the Cinderella panto at the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, December 14 1979. | TSPL Photo: Denis Straughan
4. Competition winners
Four little girls, winners of the Evening News 'Dream Machine' competition, went backstage to meet the ballet dancers at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh in August 1978. | TSPL Photo: Joe Steele