From visual theatre to a romantic night at the orchestra, here are four cultural highlights to add to your February calendar. 

Manipulate Festival

Manipulate Festival is an annual international celebration of excellence in animated film, puppetry and visual theatre. It brings the very best of international and Scottish work to adult audiences in Edinburgh this February.  

The 2025 Manipulate programme features an eclectic range of boundary-pushing performances and screenings across many visual disciplines.  Our International Festival home, The Hub, also hosts two events for Manipulate Festival.

The 18th edition of Manipulate Festival runs from 12 – 15 February 2025.

Free new exhibition at National Museums Scotland 

Injecting Hope is a new, free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.  The exhibition reveals inspiring stories of the scientists and innovators who collaborated around the globe to find solutions and save lives.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine is on from 25 Jan – 27 April at National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, Edinburgh.

Valentine’s Day Special: Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’ 

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, the ‘Pathétique’ means ‘full of emotion’. That’s exactly what it is – a pulsing, big-hearted drama. This romantic concert by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra begins with the soaring beauty and passion of Richard Wagner, sung by Korean star soprano Sunyoung Seo.

Hear the RSNO perform Pathétique on Thu 13 – Sat 15 February in Dundee, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Makropulos Affair: Scottish Opera 

If it's a good story you’re after, dive into the world of Emilia Marty, a stylish, enigmatic diva with a secret. Emilia - also known as Enila Makropulos, captivates minds and hearts along her journey across Europe in her quest to become a great opera singer. Her existence raises questions of science and nature, reality and fantasy, and life and death.

Experience The Makropulos Affair on 15 Feb – 1 Mar 2025 in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Countdown to the 2025 International Festival Programme Launch is On

The full 2025 Festival programme will be revealed on Thu 13 Mar. World-class performances of opera, music, theatre and dance awaits.

Who will join Mary, Queen of Scots, Orpheus and Eurydice and a youth orchestra from Carnegie Hall? Find out what has already been announced for 2025.

Tickets for the 2025 International Festival go on sale on Thu 27 Mar. Become a member to access priority booking and secure the best seats.