December 4, 2025
2026 return confirmed following major funding boost, with immediate call for artists to get involved
Today we announce our highly anticipated return to Edinburgh next year, with our multi-arts festival taking place from Wednesday 3rd to Sunday 7th June 2026.
The news 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, enabling our volunteer-run charity to embark on ambitious planning for 2026.
Following the success of transforming The Paper Factory earlier this year, we’re ready to begin the search for the next wave of talent to join the 2026 programme. The festival, known for showcasing and supporting new and emerging artists, is immediately opening its doors for applications from visual artists keen to present work as part of the 2026 programme.
Further open calls will follow in the new year inviting poets, dancers, theatre-makers and other creatives to get involved. The festival provides a unique, highly visible platform for artists to reach large audiences and test new ideas within an immersive and dynamic environment.
Hidden Door’s Director, Hazel Johnson, said: “This support from the Creative Scotland Multi-Year Fund is truly transformative for Hidden Door. As a volunteer-run organisation, securing funding for 2026 and 2027 gives us the stability and freedom to be more ambitious than ever, allowing us to focus entirely on finding and championing incredible emerging Scottish talent.
“We are so excited to immediately open our visual art open call and to welcome the innovative ideas that will define our next chapter. We look forward to working with artists to turn another forgotten space into a vibrant cultural hub.”
Hidden Door is committed to ensuring fair pay for all artists. The funding from Creative Scotland, alongside ticket revenue, donations and sponsorship, means the volunteer-run charity has created paid opportunities for thousands of artists and performers since 2010.
In keeping with its tradition of transforming disused or abandoned spaces into temporary venues, the location for the 2026 festival remains a closely guarded secret for now. Hidden Door will announce the venue in the New Year, ahead of the full programme reveal.
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.
Hidden Door Festival 2026: Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 7th June 2026
Visual Art Call for Submissions: Open now until Sunday 11th January 2026
Other Calls for Submissions: January 2026
Venue Announcement: Early 2026
Programme Launch: March 2026
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.
