Discover what’s on in Edinburgh this Spring.

As the vibrant colours of spring paint Edinburgh in a new light, the city bursts with energy and excitement, offering an array of activities and experiences for all ages. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly adventures, cultural festivals, or culinary delights, Scotland’s capital has something to enchant everyone. Let’s explore the top attractions and events to enjoy in Edinburgh this spring across various categories.

Family-Friendly Things to Do: Spring is the perfect time for family outings in Edinburgh. Take a stroll through the picturesque Princes Street Gardens, where kids can run and play amidst blooming flowers and lush greenery. Explore the enchanting world of the Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World, where colourful butterflies and exotic insects captivate young minds. For a thrilling adventure, embark on a boat trip to Inchcolm Island, where you can explore historic ruins and spot wildlife along the rugged coastline.  Learn more

Events and Festivals: Edinburgh springs to life with a variety of events and festivals celebrating art, culture, and heritage. The Edinburgh International Science Festival, held in April, offers interactive workshops, engaging exhibitions, and exciting events for all ages, inspiring curiosity and exploration. Don’t miss the Beltane Fire Festival, a unique celebration of the changing seasons featuring fire performances, drumming, and pagan rituals that ignite the imagination and spirit of the community. Learn more

Best Sights and Landmarks: Edinburgh is renowned for its historic landmarks and stunning architecture, which come alive with the colours of spring. Explore the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock, and enjoy panoramic views of the city and beyond. Wander down the Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with historic buildings, charming shops, and cosy cafes. For a peaceful retreat, visit the tranquil Dean Village, where you can admire picturesque cottages and quaint bridges nestled along the Water of Leith. Learn more

In conclusion, Edinburgh offers a delightful springtime escape filled with adventure, culture, and culinary delights. Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks, immersing yourself in the festival atmosphere, or simply soaking up the beauty of the city, Edinburgh promises a memorable spring getaway for the whole family.

March

Music, Theatre and Comedy

• Rambert Dance: Peaky Blinders, Festival Theatre, 28 Feb – 4 Mar
• Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously, Edinburgh Playhouse, 1 Mar
• Varna International Ballet: Giselle, Edinburgh Playhouse, 2 Mar
• Varna International Ballet: Swan Lake, Edinburgh Playhouse, 3 Mar
• Varna International Ballet: Nutcracker, Edinburgh Playhouse, 4 Mar
• Axel Blake: In Style, Queens Hall, 4 Mar The Story of Soul, Festival Theatre, 5 Mar
• Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary, Festival Theatre, 6 Mar Fatboy Slim, O2 Academy, 9 Mar
• Michael McIntyre Live, Edinburgh Playhouse, 9 – 10 Mar Tide Lines, Usher Hall, 11 Mar
• Jim Jefferies, Edinburgh Playhouse, 11 Mar
• I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, Edinburgh Playhouse, 12 Mar The Classic Rock Show 2023, Usher Hall, 13 Mar
• The Rocky Horror Show, Edinburgh Playhouse, 13 – 18 Mar
• Buddy, Festival Theatre, 14 – 18 Mar KT Tunstall, Usher Hall, 15 Mar
• Annie, Edinburgh Playhouse, 21 – 25 Mar
• Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles, The Stand, 21 Mar Death Cab for Cutie, Usher Hall, 22 Mar
• Tori Amos, Queens Hall, 25 Mar
• Birmingham Royal Ballet: Swan Lake, Festival Theatre, 29 Mar – 1 Apr
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edinburgh Playhouse, 29 Mar – 15 Apr

Festivals and Special Events

• Edinburgh International Improv Festival, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 2 – 5 Mar
• Puppet Animation Festival, various venues, TBC

Activities and Experiences

• Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
• Think Circus Jam Sessions, Ocean Terminal, every Thu
• Edinburgh Dungeon Lates (18+), Edinburgh Dungeon, every Fri
• National Museum of Scotland, 2 – 3 Mar
• Women in Your Life Family Art Activity, City Art Centre, 4 Mar
• Backstage Tour, Festival Theatre, 4 Mar
• Art and Textiles Workshops, Dovecot Studios, 4, 11 & 25 Mar
• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 7, 14, 21 & 24 Mar
• Collection Centre Tour, National Museums Collection Centre, Granton Road, 22 Mar

Markets and Fairs

• Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
• Ocean Terminal Market, Ocean Terminal, every Sat & Sun
• Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun
• Big Big Wedding Fair & Fashion Show, O2 Academy, 4 – 5 Mar
• Edinburgh Careers Fair, Assembly Rooms, 16 Mar
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 25 Mar
• Jack & Jill Market, Granton College, 25 Mar Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, O2 Academy, TBC

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

• Japanese Contemporary Design, National Museum of Scotland, 6 May – 5 Mar
• Katie Schwab: The Seeing Hands, Collective, 7 Oct – 5 Mar
• Knitwear: Chanel to Westwood, Dovecot Studios, 15 Oct – 11 Mar
• Bernat Klein: Design in Colour, National Museum of Scotland, 5 Nov – 23 Apr
• City Art Centre, 12 Nov – 12 Mar
• Ron O’Donnell: Edinburgh A Lost World, City Art Centre, 19 Nov – 5 Mar
• In the Frame: Conserving Scotland’s Art, Scottish National Gallery, 19 Nov – 16 Apr
• Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, National Museum of Scotland, 9 Dec – 1 May
• The Accursed Share, Talbot Rice Gallery, 18 Mar – 27 May
• Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern, Dovecot Studios, 31 Mar – 8 Jul

Sports and Fundraising Events

• Six Nations Rugby, Murrayfield Stadium, Feb – Mar Meadows Marathon, The Meadows, 5 Mar

April

Music, Theatre and Comedy

• Birmingham Royal Ballet: Swan Lake, Festival Theatre, 29 Mar – 1 Apr
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edinburgh Playhouse, 29 Mar – 15 Apr
• Haters Roast, Usher Hall, 1 Apr
• The Magical Music of Harry Potter, Usher Hall, 4 Apr Wish You Were Dead, Festival Theatre, 4 – 8 Apr Nathan Carter, Queens Hall, 9 Apr
• Razorlight, Assembly Rooms, 11 Apr
• Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Festival Theatre, 11 – 15 Apr
• An Evening with Peter Hook & the Light, O2 Academy, 13 Apr
• Maisie Peters, Assembly Rooms, 15 Apr
• The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Festival Theatre, 18 – 22 Apr Usher Hall, 19 Apr
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Queens Hall, 19 Apr
• Jon Richardson: The Knitwit, Edinburgh Playhouse, 20 Apr, Edinburgh Playhouse, 22 Apr
• Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People, Edinburgh Playhouse, 23 Apr
• Novo Amor, Queens Hall, 24 Apr
• Frankie Boyle: Lap of Shame, Edinburgh Playhouse, 24 Apr
• The Mousetrap, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 – 29 Apr Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up, The Stand, 27 Apr Bootleg Blondie, Liquid Room, 29 Apr
• James Orchestral Tour, Usher Hall, 29 Apr, Edinburgh Playhouse, 30 Apr

Festivals and Special Events

• Edinburgh Science Festival, various venues, 1 – 16 Apr Scottish Vegan Festival, O2 Academy, 2 Apr
• Edinburgh International Harp Festival, George Watson’s, 7 – 11 Apr
• Terminal V Festival, Royal Highland Centre, 8 – 9 Apr
• The Big 90’s and 00’s RNB Festival, O2 Academy, 22 Apr TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 28 Apr – 8 May Puppet Animation Festival, various venues, TBC
• Big Big Gin Festival, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, TBC Beltane Fire Festival, Calton Hill, TBC
• Dead By Dawn Horror Film Festival, Filmhouse, TBC

Activities and Experiences

• Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
• Edinburgh Dungeon Lates (18+), Edinburgh Dungeon, every Fri
• Backstage Tour, Festival Theatre, 1 Apr
• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 4, 11, 18, 25 & 28 Apr
• Art and Textiles Workshops, Dovecot Studios, TBC

Markets and Fairs

• Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
• Ocean Terminal Market, Ocean Terminal, every Sat & Sun
• Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 3 – 9 Apr
• Dovecot Makers Market, Dovecot Studios, 15 – 16 Apr Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

• Bernat Klein: Design in Colour, National Museum of Scotland, 5 Nov – 23 Apr
• In the Frame: Conserving Scotland’s Art, Scottish National Gallery, 19 Nov – 16 Apr
• Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, National Museum of Scotland, 9 Dec – 1 May
• The Accursed Share, Talbot Rice Gallery, 18 Mar – 27 May
• Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern, Dovecot Studios, 31 Mar – 8 Jul
• Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan

Sports and Fundraising Events

• Scottish Kilomathon, various routes, 9 Apr

May

Music, Theatre and Comedy

• Six, Edinburgh Playhouse, 2 – 6 May
• Babatunde Aleshe: Babahood, The Stand, 4 May
• Queens Hall, 6 May
• Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals, Edinburgh Playhouse, 7 May
• Johannes Radebe: Freedom Unleashed, Festival Theatre, 7 May
• Strictly Ballroom, Edinburgh Playhouse, 8 – 13 May Danny Baker, Queens Hall, 12 May
• Beyoncé: Renaissance World Tour, Murrayfield, 20 May The Stamping Ground, Festival Theatre, 23 – 27 May Harry Styles: Love On Tour, Murrayfield, 26 – 27 May
• Dodgy playing ‘Free Peace Sweet’ in full, O2 Academy, 26 May
• Usher Hall, 27 May Ben Fogle: Wild, Usher Hall, 28 May
• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Festival Theatre, 30 May – 3 Jun
• Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Murrayfield, 30 May

Festivals and Special Events

• TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 28 Apr – 8 May Whisky Month, various venues, 1 – 31 May
• FLY Open Air Festival, Hopetoun House, 20 – 21 May Pint Of Science Festival, various venues, 22 – 24 May
• Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 27 May – 4 Jun
• Hidden Door Festival, Dalkeith Road, 31 May – 4 Jun

Activities and Experiences

• Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
• Edinburgh Dungeon Lates (18+), Edinburgh Dungeon, every Fri
• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 2, 9, 12, 16, 23 & 30 May
• Backstage Tour, Festival Theatre, 13 May
• Such a Sweet Death Murder Mystery, Lauriston Castle, 19 May

Markets and Fairs

• Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
• Ocean Terminal Market, Ocean Terminal, every Sat & Sun
• Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 1 – 7 May
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

• Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, National Museum of Scotland, 9 Dec – 1 May
• The Accursed Share, Talbot Rice Gallery, 18 Mar – 27 May
• Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern, Dovecot Studios, 31 Mar – 8 Jul
• Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
• When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65, City Art Centre, 27 May – 1 Oct

Sports and Fundraising Events

• Race For Life: 5K & 10K, Hopetoun House, 7 May Edinburgh Marathon Festival, various routes, 28 May
• Target Ovarian Cancer Running Events, Holyrood Park, 27 – 28 May

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