It's been a busy month for Festival-watchers, as this year's line-up is gradually revealed.  With a clutch of programmes launched this month and most box offices now open, it's time to start planning in earnest for this August.  But don't worry if you haven't been keeping track!  We've pulled the key facts together in our first ticket news round-up.

Stay on the fringe

Top of the list is the world-famous Fringe, the biggest open arts festival on the planet.  Whether it's big-name comedians or small-town theatre, classical music or thumping rock, it'll be there somewhere among the Fringe's 2,000 shows.  The only problem is knowing how to choose... and if you're just not sure, you could always hang on until you've had a chance to read some reviews.

But if you know what you want and you'd like to get ahead, the box office is open and the programme's widely available throughout Edinburgh.  The Fringe listings came out a couple of weeks ago, but very little has sold out yet - and with so much on offer, you're sure to find something tempting whenever you dip into the three-week run.

For more information: read our introduction to the Fringe, then our Ticket Alert on this year's programme launch.  If you're ready to start booking, check our guide to Fringe ticketing.

Make it official

Though the Fringe hogs the limelight, the "official" International Festival still holds the trumps in prestige.  Turning its back on last year's austere line-up, 2009 sees a more populist theme, centred on the anniversary of the Scottish Enlightenment.

It's a largely high-brow programme, taking in theatre, opera, ballet and modern dance, plus a strong strand of classical music on offer at the Usher Hall.  Booking opened way back in April, but - with the exception of a few hot sellers - most events have a good range of tickets still available.

For more information: read our introduction to the International Festival, then our thoughts on this year's programme.  Use the Hub Tickets website to find out what tickets are still available.

Book yourself in

Courtesy Edinburgh International Book Festival

The big names at the Festival sell out very fast, and almost everything fills up eventually, so it's well worth getting on with planning this one.  There are literally hundreds of events still available, from children's activity shows to thought-provoking debates with world experts in their fields.

For more information: read our introduction to the Book Festival, then our Ticket Alert on this year's programme launch.  Use the Book Festival's website to check the programme and book tickets.

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Jazz it up

Courtesy Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

This Festival, too, has a huge sell-out potential, but right now there's no shortage of tickets for the great majority of events.

For more information: read our introduction to the Jazz Festival, then our Ticket Alert on this year's programme launch.  Use the Jazz Festival's website to browse and book tickets.

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And there's more...

Courtesy Stuart Buchanan

The International Festival's world-famous firework display is on Sunday 6 September, and you can still get tickets to see it from Princes Street Gardens.  The next release of tickets will be on 27 July.  Read more on fireworks ticketing.

Contrary to a previous announcement, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is not sold out - there are good tickets available for most performances.  Read more in our Ticket Alert.

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You're up to date.  Now stay that way!

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