From 27 to 30 April 2025, the European Festivals Association will gather its community for the annual summit in The Festival City – Edinburgh, Scotland. Among those joining are several artists and festivals supported through EFFEA. Registration is still open: be sure to join us!
The Arts Festivals Summit 2025 promises four days of spirited exchange among those connected to the European Festivals Association through membership or its many initiatives. Festival makers, city representatives, national festival associations, researchers, artists, and festival friends will gather from nearly 180 cities across 46 countries, bringing with them a myriad of perspectives, experiences, and ambitions. We will discuss the challenges and possibilities facing festivals today while imagining possible and daring futures. During these few days in April, the summit becomes a hot spot for cross-border collaboration, artistic discovery, and shared visions.
EFFEA Artists and Festivals are invited to register and take part in the conversations, workshops, pitching and networking sessions that can lead to new ideas, new partners, and future collaborations.
Edinburgh charms effortlessly. It is the city that greets you with both a wink and a warm cup of tea. With UNESCO World Heritage status, winding streets, a fierce cultural spirit and a humming arts scene all year round, it will be a great setting for our annual meeting of minds.
This year’s programme is brought to life in collaboration with our brilliant hosts: Edinburgh International Festival, Festivals Edinburgh, and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Here is what to expect, especially for those who are following the journey of EFFEA artists and festivals:
27 April – Arrival & Opening
Welcome to Edinburgh! Settle in and (re)connect. We will gather at The Hub, our Summit venue, for registration, networking, and first working group meetings. The opening reception will start at 19.00 at the City Chambers.
28 April – The Festival City in Focus
Who else to learn from than those shaping Edinburgh’s festival life?
Monday offers an opportunity to get a closer look at the city's cultural scene, from policy discussions to a stroll across the city.
8:30–8:40 | EFFEA Stage: Tom Bailey
8:40–9:15 | Breakfast Talks: Festivals and Emerging Artists
What do we offer artists? And what do they think we do for them?
A heart-to-heart between producers and EFFEA Artists
29 April – The Future of Festivals
The second working day will centre on societal topics like sustainability, inclusion, AI, or artistic freedom through best practices, challenges, and bold new ideas.
16:30–17:00 | EFFEA Stage: Sarah Richardson, Krishna Istha, Zinnia Oberski, Jorge Losana, and Chris O’Reilly
Artists and festivals meet, present themselves and their work.
With final thoughts from Haris Pašović and Donika Rudi Berishaj
30 April – EFA’s Network & What Comes Next
After the General Assembly, including the presidency elections, we will spotlight the invitations and opportunities that EFA and The Festival Academy offer to serve and empower arts festivals.
Throughout the summit, you can view the EFFEA film showcase, featuring projects from Calls #1 and #2.
You read here about last year's experiences at the Arts Festivals Summit 2024 on the island of Usedom, Germany.