10 things we're looking forward to at #BBCEdFest

There's an awful lot happening at our new site at George Heriot's School this August - here's a quick guide to some of the things we're particularly looking forward to...

One of the big highlights of our schedule is the final of the BBC Radio New Comedy Award, which is being held in Edinburgh for the first time this year. It's among the most prestigious prizes in UK comedy, with previous winners including Alan Carr, Josie Long and Rhod Gilbert, and we're hosting both the semi-finals and the final in our Blue Tent.

You can listen to the final live on Radio 4 at 6pm on Sunday 14th August - in the meantime, check out the set that won Yuriko Kotani last year's title, and catch up on the heats so far on the NCA website.

Each week from Monday to Thursday, Janice Forsyth returns to our stage with comedy, music and interviews with the best guests from the Festivals. You can hear the show between 2 and 4pm on BBC Radio Scotland - here's a clip of one of last summer's more extraordinary highlights.

Radio 2 is sending two big guns to Scotland's capital this year to bring listeners a flavour of Europe's biggest arts festival. Al Murray will be hosting two live Saturday morning extravaganzas, featuring chat, comedy, music and more - and, for one afternoon only, Steve Wright's Big Show will be broadcasting live from our stage. For a hint of what to expect, here's Steve interviewing Mark Watson about his Edinburgh show from last year.

We've loads of free activities on for kids and families this August, from crafts and storytelling to workshops on dinosaurs and space. Most of them don't need tickets either, so just bring the kids down and enjoy - here's a guide to what's on offer.

(That picture is of Arthur Smith getting to know one of Animal Magic's marvellous menagerie last year - they'll be back on the 20th. Arthur's still TBC)

As always, our Blue Tent hosts some of the biggest comedy talent Edinburgh has to offer. 4 Extra Stands Up makes its annual return, this time with Fringe veterans Zoe Lyons and Jo Caulfield taking the reins, and Asian Network's ever-popularBig Comedy Night is back too (there's a clip of Nish Kumar's set from last year above).

We'll also have two global stand-up showcases, hosted by stars from closer to home: Fred MacAulay finds out What Makes the World Laugh for the BBC World Service, and Julia Sutherland welcomes comics from all corners of the world to our stage for BBC Radio Scotland's A Funny Kind of World.

As well as the established names, the BBC experts will also be scouring the Fringe to bring you the stars of the future. BBC Radio 4's Fresh from the Fringe is back with two programmes showcasing Edinburgh's brightest rising stars (above is 2015 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Kieran Hodgson, who starred in the 2012 series), and BBC Comedy Presents... will be shining a spotlight on new talent over three nights of shows. The first show is sold out - but tickets for the other two will only be available from our site at George Heriot's School in August, so keep your eyes peeled.

Here's a couple of hidden gems to flag up. BBC Radio Scotland's Travelling Folk was one of the big hits on our stage last year, bringing perfect Scottish sounds for when the sun goes down (we've put a clip from Marie Fielding's set above to get you in the mood).

We'll also have a night of up-and-coming bands on Friday 19th August, courtesy of BBC Radio nan Gàidheal's Rapal - it's free, and you won't need a ticket, either.

Jim Al-Khalili brings his popular Radio 4 series, The Life Scientific, to Edinburgh for a one-off special. He's joined by Sir Ian Wilmut, the embryologist who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep, to discuss one of the most significant scientific developments in British history.

Also, if you'd like to check out other interviews from the series, they're available to download for free from the show's website.

The annual Poetry Slam makes a very welcome return, with quick-tongued wordsmiths from across the UK competing for the title of BBC Poetry Slam champion. Pop along each night from Monday 8th to Thursday 11th at 8.30pm for the heats with Sophia Walker (no ticket needed), before the final on Sunday 14th - and for a taste of what to expect, here's a clip of last year's winner, Scott Tyrrell, in action.

Finally, something that's a wee bit off the beaten track. BBC Radio 3's Late Junction has become a haven for music fans with adventurous ears; for instance, last month, the show put on a collaboration between an improvisational choir, an American electronica duo, and a washing machine (you can see the results above). What will happen when the show broadcasts live from our stage on Wednesday 17th August?