The festival begins with performers leading a procession from the top of Arthur’s seat at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh. Attendees of the festival try and take videos and photos with their phones.

The festival begins with performers leading a procession from the top of Arthur’s seat at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh. Attendees of the festival try and take videos and photos with their phones.

The view of Edinburgh city from the bottom of Arthur’s seat on Halloween.

The view of Edinburgh city from the bottom of Arthur’s seat on Halloween.

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Anna from Sweden poses for a portrait beside Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh while waiting for the Samhuinn festival performances to begin. She made her own costume and travelled specifically to Scotland to attend the event that evening.

Anna from Sweden poses for a portrait beside Arthur’s seat in Edinburgh while waiting for the Samhuinn festival performances to begin. She made her own costume and travelled specifically to Scotland to attend the event that evening.

A performer at the Samhuinn Fir festival walks in a procession holding a lit torch. Fire plays an important role in the festival which celebrate the overthrowing of the Summer King by the Winter King.

A performer at the Samhuinn Fir festival walks in a procession holding a lit torch. Fire plays an important role in the festival which celebrate the overthrowing of the Summer King by the Winter King.

Stephanie and her boyfriend pose for a photo by Arthur’s seat.

Stephanie and her boyfriend pose for a photo by Arthur’s seat.

A safety person leads a procession of performers towards a performance area from the main stage at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh. In recent years, the festival has been required to have more health and safety regulations in place as it has grown

A safety person leads a procession of performers towards a performance area from the main stage at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh. In recent years, the festival has been required to have more health and safety regulations in place as it has grown in popularity.

A safety person walks between the crowds behind a fence separating them from performers holding lit torches at the Samhuinn festival.

A safety person walks between the crowds behind a fence separating them from performers holding lit torches at the Samhuinn festival.

At the entrance to the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh, closer to the Holyrood Parliament building, spectators get food from caterers. Catering is a new addition to the event which has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years.

At the entrance to the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh, closer to the Holyrood Parliament building, spectators get food from caterers. Catering is a new addition to the event which has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years.

A performer dances with fire in front of spectators at the festival. The festival goers are protected by a fence, ensuring they are far enough from the performers.

A performer dances with fire in front of spectators at the festival. The festival goers are protected by a fence, ensuring they are far enough from the performers.

A performer rests and gets warm by a fire in the main stage area at the Samhuinn festival. Performers spend most of their time in the 3-hour festival nude or without warm clothing on a cold Scottish evening.

A performer rests and gets warm by a fire in the main stage area at the Samhuinn festival. Performers spend most of their time in the 3-hour festival nude or without warm clothing on a cold Scottish evening.

A performer in character bends over backwards and poses at the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh. Performers at the event are believers in the pagan ritual and spend hours beforehand getting into character for the evening.

A performer in character bends over backwards and poses at the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh. Performers at the event are believers in the pagan ritual and spend hours beforehand getting into character for the evening.

A crowd of spectators watch the final performance behind fences at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh.

A crowd of spectators watch the final performance behind fences at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh.

Dahlia poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn Festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is from Manchester but travelled to Scotland for the event. She is Wiccan, a pagan religious sect, and said of the festival “you feel free, you don’t feel bound.”

Dahlia poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn Festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is from Manchester but travelled to Scotland for the event. She is Wiccan, a pagan religious sect, and said of the festival “you feel free, you don’t feel bound.”

Morgan poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is wearing a homemade plague doctor’s mask with horns.

Morgan poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is wearing a homemade plague doctor’s mask with horns.

Sacred and Spectacle, 2024

The Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh is a contemporary reimagining of ancient Celtic traditions, marking the seasonal shift from summer to winter. Run by the volunteer-led Beltane Fire Society, the event combines ritual, performance, and spectacle—drawing thousands of spectators to witness fire displays, rhythmic drumming, and a symbolic battle between the Summer and Winter Kings. The festival reflects a growing tension between sacred ritual, modern consumer culture, and evolving health and safety regulations. For long-time attendees, these changes have felt like a loss of authenticity.