Hidden Door 2026 Night 1 - Wednesday 3 June

Information

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.

WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS

The festival kicks off with enigmatic electro-pop sensation BIG WETT and experimental artist ICHI taking the concept of a one-man band to new limits with his quirky handmade instrument inventions. Plus new musical talent selected from over 300 applications to our open call.

Spoken word with Iona Lee and Josh Cake.

Dance from experimental multidisciplinary artist and choreographer Ellen Crofton.

Stunning installations from dozens of visual artists.

Brand new commissioned collaborations between artists, musicians, dancers and performers, joining forces to create something unique for this year’s former factory space.

MORE ABOUT THE 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.

Once again, the festival is working with a wide range of creative partners to build an eclectic programme offering something for everyone, including:

• Five nights of live music programmed in collaboration with the likes of Paradise Palms Records, Hobbes Music, 432 Presents and independent programmers Jacob Brailsford and Arusa Qureshi
• 10 emerging music acts selected from an open call co-curated with the National Centre For Music and Creative Edinburgh
• Specially curated theatre, dance and spoken word performances scattered throughout the venue
• A brand new collaborative installation from Tinderbox Collective, experimenting with electronics and sensors, microcontrollers, code and responsive visuals.
• An evolution of Edinburgh International Mural Festival’s 2025 residency at The Paper Factory, which brought together mural artists from around the world to produce iconic large scale works