Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to go ahead this year, with tickets to be available within weeks.
After being cancelled last year due to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the iconic comedy festival has been given the green light to run between August 6 - 30 this year.
It is hoped that the festival can boost the economy after a tough year for the capital's tourism industry, with the Fringe supporting 6,000 jobs across Edinburgh.
Tickets are to be launched in early summer, with performers able to start registering as soon as May 5.
The event is to be Covid secure with plans for social distancing measures and crowd capacities to be published before ticket bookings are taken.
Live events are currently on track to be resumed in Scotland by May 17, but acts will also be able to register for a new digital platform, similar to BBC iPlayer, which will allow work to be showcased in the event of new lockdown restrictions being imposed.
Festival chiefs hope that socially distanced audiences of up to 400 will be allowed to attend indoor shows, while up to 2000 will be permitted outdoors.
A spokeswoman for the Fringe Society said: "As Scotland navigates its roadmap out of lockdown, much is still unknown about what the Fringe will look like this August.
"Any live performance registered as part of the 2021 Fringe will be expected to adhere to public health guidance from the Scottish Government."
Fringe Society chief executive Shona McCarthy said: "We're delighted to be able to open registration for 2021.
"Of course, we're still very much in planning mode as we await further updates from the Scottish Government, but this feels like a hugely positive step in the right direction."
Anthony Alderson, artistic director at the Pleasance, added: "While we remain optimistic that the Pleasance can deliver some form of programme in Edinburgh this summer, it remains impossible to make any firm plans until we have the exact limitations on social distancing, capacity restrictions and Covid-19 regulations and therefore our programme must remain on hold until we have that clarity.
"While positivity is important and the situation appears to be progressing in the right direction, we don't want to give false hope to artists or audiences."
Liz McAreavey, chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "This announcement is further good news for Edinburgh.
"I know the council and the Scottish Government have worked very hard behind the scenes to make this happen and a lot of work has been put into safety and compliance by Festivals Edinburgh to ensure the festivals can be enjoyed in a safe environment.
"Real innovation and perseverance are shining through.
"Whilst the festivals are at the heart of our cultural and social wellbeing, they are also critical to our economy.
"More than 6000 jobs are supported by the festivals, which are also the platform for our domestic creative talent and performers to launch careers.
"They also ensure Edinburgh is the world's culture capital for the month of August every year, attracting enormous international interest and attention.
"With our city centre seeing a 90 per cent reduction in footfall last summer, our festivals will be critical in animating the city centre and creating the experiential visit that will encourage people back.
"Businesses will be very pleased to see these decisions made and optimistic that we can, at last, start the road to recovery."
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Roddy Smith, chief executive of city centre business group Essential Edinburgh, said: "Today's announcement about registrations opening for the Fringe, coupled with yesterday's exciting news from the Edinburgh International Festival is a really positive step forward.
"Our summer festivals are crucial for our city's economy and although they will obviously be significantly reduced in scale it is a welcome indication that our city is reopening and ready to become back residents and visitors in a Covid secure manner."
A spokesman for the Edinburgh Hotels Association said: "The annual summer festivals are part of Edinburgh's DNA are a driver of business for hotels, bars, restaurants, retail and all elements of hospitality.
"The city's hospitality industry needs the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to go ahead this year.
"Edinburgh is not Edinburgh without its summer festivals.
"We acknowledge that the Fringe will be different this year, just as the Edinburgh International Festival will be.
"However the plans to return the city to its recognised pinnacle of arts and culture and attract global, UK and local visitors and put Edinburgh on the stage again is hugely welcomed."
