March 13, 2026
Edinburgh’s pop-up arts festival announces final takeover of iconic factory with weekend headliners Jenny Hval and Valtos Presents: High Water Mark
Hidden Door is set to stage a final spectacular takeover of The Paper Factory, a massive industrial site in west Edinburgh, for the 2026 edition of the multi arts festival.
From Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th June 2026, the site will be reimagined as a living, evolving space, giving audiences one last chance to rediscover this iconic location before the festival moves on.
“Returning to The Paper Factory for a final year allows us to go deeper into the history and texture of the site,” said Hazel Johnson, Hidden Door’s Director. “We aren’t just putting on a show; we’re building a myth.
“The support from Creative Scotland allows us to develop an ambitious programme that will treat the space as a living, breathing canvas, where the work of our artists and performers becomes the architecture that shapes the festival.”
Festival organisers have also revealed the weekend headliners who will take to the stage for The Paper Factory’s final shift.
On Friday 5th June, Norwegian singer-songwriter, record producer, and novelist Jenny Hval pushes boundaries with a live performance that demands to be witnessed firsthand, with her experimental, feminist and avant-garde work scooping several notable awards.
The night will climax with a special late night club presented by EPiKA, Edinburgh’s own femme techno collective.
On Saturday 6th June, Skye natives Valtos bring a dancefloor-ready take on their already unique sound with their acclaimed DJ/Live hybrid project High Water Mark, fusing folk and electronic beats for an energetic and dynamic experience.
The action will then move to the club space with Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly/Club Life) taking audiences through the decades of his legendary Scottish club nights.
Once again, Hidden Door is working with a wide range of creative partners to build an eclectic programme offering something for everyone, including:
The festival’s full programme of music, art, performances and special events will be revealed in April.
The announcement follows confirmation of vital support from Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Fund, a major funding commitment that secures the future of the festival through to 2027 and enables the volunteer-run charity to embark on ambitious planning for 2026.
Tickets for each evening of the festival are now available online.
As always, the festival will be FREE to explore during the day, with tickets required for those staying for the evening programme after 6pm.
Hidden Door is currently inviting submissions for dance, spoken word and music acts to be part of the 2026 programme.
Hidden Door is committed to ensuring fair pay for all artists. The funding from Creative Scotland, alongside ticket revenue, donations and sponsorship, means the festival has created paid opportunities for thousands of artists and performers since 2010.
Hidden Door is a volunteer-run, independent charity that organises cultural events in Edinburgh. It works to transform forgotten urban spaces into temporary platforms for new and emerging artists, musicians, theatre-makers, film-makers, dancers and poets. Since its inception, Hidden Door has attracted over 70,000 visitors to its events and created a vibrant showcase for over 3,000 artists.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow Creative Scotland on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
