1. Deep Time at the castle (7 August).
"Deep Time" is a truly awesome upcoming sound and light display featuring a soundtrack compiled by Glasgow rock band Mogwai. It will project 350 million years of history on to Edinburgh's Castle Rock (including a section showing the cataclysmic events and volcano that brought it into being). Whoa.
2. Fringe Lates at the National Museum (12, 19, 26 August).
The National Museum of Scotland is hosting three exhilarating party nights during August, with music, comedy, bars, and entry to its latest exhibition, Celts, which was put together in partnership with the British Museum.
3. A turbo-charged version of Alice in Wonderland (23-26 August).
Alice in Wasteland is a high-octane, theatrical circus show that uses lasers, smoke, and music to explore our relationship with waste and environmental issues. It really is a wild and crazy trip down the rabbit hole.
4. Jupiter Artland after dark (4 August).
This outdoor sculpture park near Edinburgh is holding a special after-dark experience, so you can see the collection at night, with a highlight being Nathan Coley’s "You Imagine What You Desire" illuminating the surrounding lawn.
5. Alan Cumming sings sexy songs (6 August).
You know Alan Cumming as an actor, but did you also know he's a great singer too, particularly when it comes to sultry, sexy songs? Oh, and he includes a load of filthy, raunchy, and raucous anecdotes in this festival show too. Sounds great.
6. Sunshine on Leith (3-29 August).
This fantastic jukebox musical is based on the songs of Edinburgh icons the Proclaimers. It received loads of great reviews in 2015, including "'I defy you not to be uplifted, the joy exuding from these performers is infectious." Nice.
7. Grabbing a drink at Skybar (4-30 August).
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Skybar is a hotel rooftop bar with a spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle. During the festival, it's open earlier than usual (4pm). It's also hosting DJs and a nightly barbecue as well. If the rain holds off, it'll be the place to be.
8. Hot Dub Time Machine (12-20 August).
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Hot Dub Time Machine was a surprise smash hit at the 2011 Fringe, taking a nostalgic, catchy, and exhilarating comedy trip through our musical past, year by year. It's back for a fifth year, but this time for five nights only.
9. Cramond Punk Festival (20 August).
Cramond Island of Punk is a rough-and-ready DIY punk festival that takes place in August each year. It's free, but attendees are asked to help with set-up and transporting equipment over the causeway, and clean-up afterwards.
10. Sigur Rós at the Edinburgh International Festival (14, 15, 16 August).
The legendary, etherial Icelandic rockers will be taking to the stage at the Edinburgh International Festival, with their usual incredible light show.
11. Meadows giant water fight (7 August).
Sadly, Edinburgh's much-loved city farm is facing closure due to lack of funding, so locals are throwing a massive charity water fight on the Meadows to raise money. Everyone needs to bring their own water pistol and make a donation. A contribution of £5 gets you five fully filled water balloons to get you started.
12. Burnistoun live at the Fringe (4 August).
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If you haven't heard of Scottish sketch show Burnistoun, you're really missing out. On the back of the hit BBC Scotland comedy series, the cast are bringing their hilarious blend of Glasgow patter and weird characters to the Fringe.
13. Madness at the Corn Exchange (4 August).
Yep, that's right. Iconic '80s band Madness will be playing at the Corn Exchange, and it's the original line-up too. If you're lucky, they might let everyone up on the stage to dance with them, like they did at Glastonbury.
14. Free the Nipple Rally (28 August).
This march is part of Go Topless Day, and is intended to raise awareness about freedom of expression, equality, and issues like the censoring of nipples on social media. Men, women, trans people, and genderqueer people are all welcome.
15. Portobello Bottle Rocket Competition (27 August).
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Bottle rockets are usually made from 2-litre plastic bottles, water, and gas, and are launched with a bike pump. The competitor who gets theirs to fly the furthest distance along Portobello beach wins a fancy Lego rocket.
16. A mass vegan barbecue on the Meadows (13 August).
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Vegan deli and restaurant Hendersons is selling discounted vegan barbecue packs on 13 August, including a vegan steak, vegan bacon, and salads, or you can simply bring your own food and use the Meadows barbecue pits.
17. Young Fathers (14 August).
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Edinburgh-based trio Young Fathers won the Mercury Prize in 2014 for their debut album. Their most recent album, White Men Are Black Men Too, tackles race and identity, and they're back in their home town after an international tour.
18. Edinburgh Vegan Festival (20-21 August).
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This massive two-day event at the Roxburghe Hotel is now in its second year. Exhibitors include Edinburgh-based Missy's Vegan Cupcakes (pictured), and hundreds more clothing, food, and cosmetic stalls.
Bonus: Watching The Force Awakens outdoors (2 September).
OK, so this isn't ~quite~ in August, but early September still counts as festival season, so don't miss this if you're still in town. The screening will be outdoors in the gorgeous Botanic Gardens. Let's hope the force will keep us dry.
Based on Facebook event data. All event details and attendance numbers were correct at the time of writing but are naturally subject to change.
