Organized and promoted by The Clarsach Society, two staff members, and a team of volunteers,[1] the festival is held in April of each year and attracts more than 500 harpists from more than 25 countries.
After two years, the quick growth of what had become the Edinburgh Harp Festival necessitated additional funds and assistance to run it, and Pilgrim Harps continued to support the festival but handed the reins over to the Edinburgh branch of The Clarsach Society.
In 1991, the Edinburgh branch in turn handed the festival over to their parent body, The Clarsach Society.
[2] In 2022, the festival will return in a hybrid format, offering both virtual and in-person events, and move after 20 years in its old location at Merchiston Castle School to George Watson's College.
[2] In 2006, the festival set what was then the Guinness World Record for "largest harp ensemble" by having a group of 201 harpists play together.