Monday sees one of Edinburgh's most keenly-awaited Festival ticket releases: the chance to get a half-price seat at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  The Tattoo's main run is very close to selling out, but they've been holding back tickets for its "preview" - or as the less breathlessly enthusiastic might call it, the dress rehearsal.  The only date available is Thursday 5 August, at 9:30pm, but the good news is that all tickets come at a 50% discount.

Today's a red-letter day here at Ticket Alert, as the Edinburgh International Festival releases the second batch of tickets for its famous end-of-Festival fireworks concert.  This isn't quite your last chance for these passes - there'll be another release on 3 September - but it's the easiest of the remaining options; this batch of tickets are on sale online, while September's quota involves a lengthy wait in the notorious fireworks queue.

The second major Festival to launch its programme in June, the Edinburgh International Book Festival has swung into action with a mammoth schedule of talks and seminars.  Coinciding with the second part of the Fringe, and running from 13th to 29th August this year, there's a lot to recommend the Book Festival; it's gentle, manageable, and the sheer variety of its programme means you're sure to find something which interests you there.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 5 - 29 August (previews from 3 August) 

It's an exciting time for Festival enthusiasts - as, amidst much eager anticipation, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has unveiled its 2011 programme.  It's the moment we've all been waiting for: with less than two months to go until the annual extravaganza begins, the release of the printed programme offers our first true insight into what's on offer this year.