Following the success of the first two editions of The List Festival Awards, the ceremony will return to Edinburgh in August 2026 to celebrate the outstanding breadth of talent showcased across the city’s world-famous festivals. Taking place at W Edinburgh on Friday 28 August, the awards will once again honour exceptional artists, productions and cultural contributors from across the Edinburgh Festivals.
Designed to reflect the extraordinary diversity of work presented during August, The List Festival Awards recognise achievements spanning visual art, literature, film, theatre, comedy, dance and cabaret. The awards continue The List’s long-standing commitment to championing both Scottish and international creativity during the city’s busiest and most exciting cultural season, and each award winner will receive a cash prize. Last year’s ceremony was hosted by Edinburgh’s Makar, Michael Pedersen, and BBC Radio 6 presenter Gemma Cairney, and previous award winners include Bebe Cave, Phil Ellis, Hamish Halley, Pussy Riot, Natalie Palamides and Lewis Major.
This year’s awards categories include Edinburgh Art Festival’s Best Rising Scottish Artist, Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Best Rising Scottish Author, Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Best Scottish Film and Edinburgh International Festival’s Best International Show. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe categories comprise Best LGBTQIA+ Show; Best Dance, Circus & Physical Theatre Show; Best Comedy Show; Best Kids Show; Best Show From Adelaide; the International Fringe Encore Series Edinburgh Prize; and the Spirit Of The Fringe Award. The Stand will be joining The List this year to present a new award, and The List will also present a new award for Best Cabaret Show.
The List Festival Awards 2026 will once again bring together artists, industry professionals and festival organisations for an afternoon celebrating the creativity and ambition that defines Edinburgh in August. Hosts W Edinburgh will welcome guests with a celebratory drink and canapes.
This year’s awards will also spotlight emerging creative talent through a partnership with Edinburgh College. Students from the HND Visual Communication course will individually design each award laurel, giving young designers the opportunity to contribute directly to one of the festival season’s major industry celebrations. The HND Visual Communication course, specialising in graphic design, is an award-winning studio-based programme offering students opportunities to work at the forefront of contemporary design practice through industry engagement and live creative briefs.
With a year-round monthly magazine (weekly during August) and an extensive digital platform, The List publishes and distributes information on events and entertainment and remains one of the essential guides to culture in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and further afield. The List reviews approximately 400 shows across the summer festivals each year, providing audiences with some of the most comprehensive and engaging festival coverage available.
Brian Donaldson, editor of The List comments, We’re delighted to once again be playing a key role in the world’s biggest and best arts festival, and our awards reflect the extraordinary resilience and talent of artists who continue to create wonderful work in these often dark and challenging times. With a new venue hosting the event and more prizes added to an already impressive set of categories, this feels like another step forward for Team List and our awards.
Jakki Jeffery, assistant principal, Academy Of Creative Industries, Culture & Languages at Edinburgh College, comments Our partnership with The List has included its role as our media partner for the GIE’IT! Creative Arts Festival, organised “by students, for students”. Additionally, our HND Year 2 Visual Communication students were given the opportunity to produce the 14 award categories for The List Festival Awards 2026. This annual event celebrates festival-makers and cultural leaders, recognising their outstanding achievements. The award brief was expertly managed by Iain Lauder, lecturer in Art & Design, who ensured that students used their creativity while meeting the client’s requirements. We value the opportunity to work in partnership with The List and to provide our students with a platform to showcase their talents.
The List Festival Awards 2026 is supported by Whyte & Mackay, Set! Productions, Big Think Agency, Ghost Light Global, Pure Life Plus, YOURgb, Data Thistle, Adelaide Fringe, Soho Playhouse, Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, The Stand and Wildtopia.
Main Image: Header 2026, Courtesy of The List Awards