St James Quarter Sessions Returns for Summer 2025: Edinburgh's Best Kept Secret

In partnership with St James Quarter

St James Quarter Sessions returns for summer 2025 — Edinburgh’s free music festival you’ll want on your radar.

It’s the best-kept secret in the city’s cultural calendar: St James Quarter Sessions is back for 2025, bringing a stellar lineup of live music to the heart of Edinburgh this summer — and the best part? It’s free.

Running from Friday 15 August to Sunday 24 August 2025, the festival transforms the Quarter’s sleek shopping and dining spaces into a vibrant, multi-venue stage. Expect a fresh mix of indie, alt-pop, jazz, soul, and more, with performances from rising stars and established names alike. If last year is anything to go by, the vibe is intimate yet electric — a festival that feels more like a well-curated playlist than a mainstream blowout.

Performances will take place across several venues within St James Quarter, including pop-up stages, rooftop gigs with panoramic city views, and atmospheric spaces tucked away amongst the boutiques and restaurants. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a cocktail, browse the shops, and catch a set or two in between.

For locals, it’s a rare chance to experience live music in the city centre without the usual crowds or ticket prices. For visitors, it’s an unexpected gem — proof that Edinburgh in August isn’t just about the Fringe.

St James Quarter Sessions is free to attend, but tickets are required — they’ll be released closer to the time, so make sure you’re signed up and ready to go.

Keep an eye on the official website or better still, download the St James Quarter app for lineup announcements and further details. This one’s worth marking in the calendar.