Perth’s 51st Festival of the Arts
March 25, 2023 by Catriona AndersonPerth Festival of the Arts 18th – 27th May 2023
Perth Festival of the Arts is a vibrant celebration of the visual and performing arts, connecting leading artists from around the world with the rich cultural life of Perth each May. With a contemporary focus and a long-established tradition spanning 50 years, the Festival inspires, entertains and enhances the lives of its ever-growing community through an exciting and dynamic programme of events that promote and develop the city.
As well as bringing established and international performers to Perth’s impressive cultural and historic venues, the festival takes pride in discovering and providing platforms for new and emerging artists in Scotland.
Featuring international and national artists and orchestras from the worlds of classical music, opera, rock, jazz, Celtic, comedy, theatre, dance and the visual arts. Over the years, the festival have hosted big names including Bryn Terfel, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Nigel Kennedy, Van Morrison, Nicola Benedetti, The Proclaimers, KT Tunstall, Calvin Harris, Sharleen Spiteri, Edwyn Collins, Dara O Briain, Russell Howard, Julian Clary, Paul Merton, Treacherous Orchestra and many more.
2023 will see Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra’s thirteenth performance at the Festival. Most years we also stage a full-scale opera, with companies such as English Touring Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Bohemia and the Scots Opera Project.
Well-known faces from the world of film and television also feature, with BAFTA-winning comedian, and Love Island presenter Iain Stirling headlining a mixed comedy night at Perth Concert Hall plus the opportunity to spend a unique evening with Hollywood actor Richard E Grant as he tells stories from his life, entwining tales from his extraordinary time in showbiz with uplifting reflections on love and loss.
The Festival is a registered Scottish charity which raises financial support to bring the Festival programme to life and help keep ticket prices as low as possible. The overall goal is to put on an exciting and diverse Festival each year and reach as many people as possible.
The Festival also run a programme to nurture and develop young people’s participation in the arts. This includes school lunchtime concerts, workshops with local schools and children’s concerts and events.
To book visit Perth Festival of the Arts
Tommy Smith and the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers launch 51st Perth Festival of the Arts 2023 programme
