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.

Our guide unveils the quintessence of Edinburgh in spring – from culinary delights to spirited celebrations, it offers insights on where to dine, what to sip, and how to partake in Easter festivities

Music, Theatre and Comedy

March

• Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Edinburgh Playhouse, 27 Feb – 2 Mar
• Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1 Mar
• Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 2 Mar
• Melanie Bracewell: Forget Me Not, The Stand, 2 Mar
• Count Arthur Strong …and It’s Goodnight From Him, EICC, 2 Mar
• Aurie Styla: The Aurator Tour, The Stand, 3 Mar   O MD, Usher Hall, 6 Mar
• Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems, O2 Academy, 8 Mar
• A Night at the Opera by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 8 Mar
• The Stranglers, Usher Hall, 9 Mar
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings, Nicolson Square, 9 Mar
• Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier, Edinburgh Playhouse, 11 Mar   Ellen Kent’s Carmen, Edinburgh Playhouse, 13 Mar
• Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly, Edinburgh Playhouse, 14 Mar
• Josh Pugh: Existin’ La Vida Loca, The Stand, 14 Mar
• Professor Brian Cox: Horizons, A 21st Century Space Odyssey, Edinburgh Playhouse, 15 Mar
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 15 Mar
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 15 Mar
• Moya Brennan, Queens Hall, 16 Mar
• An Evening with Rick Stein, Queens Hall, 17 Mar
• M C Hammersmith: Straight Outta Brompton, The Stand, 19 Mar
• Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes, Usher Hall, 20 Mar
• Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 22 Mar
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight, St Giles’
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen, Ghillie Dhu, 23 Mar
• The Lark Ascending by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 23 Mar
• The Wandering Hearts, Queens Hall, 26 Mar
• The Jesus and Mary Chain: 40 Years, Usher Hall, 27 Mar
• Dirty Dancing in Concert, Usher Hall, 28 Mar
• Frankie Boyle: Lap of Shame, Edinburgh Playhouse, 30 Mar

April

• Glen Hansard, Queens Hall, 1 Apr
• Pretty Woman The Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 2 – 13 Apr
• Underworld Live 2024, Usher Hall, 3 – 4 Apr
• Starsailor, Queens Hall. 5 Apr
• The Billy Joel Songbook, Usher Hall, 6 Apr
• Tommy Tiernan: tommedian, Queens Hall, 7 Apr
• Dr John Cooper Clarke: Celebrating 50 Years in
• Showbiz, Queens Hall, 12 – 13 Apr
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 12 Apr
• Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 12 Apr
• Paddington in Concert, Usher Hall, 12 Apr
• Kidz Bop: Never Stop Tour, Usher Hall, 13 Apr
• Lemar: Closer Tour 2024, Assembly Rooms, 13 Apr
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & The Lark Ascending by
• Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 13 Apr
• Barenaked Ladies, Assembly Rooms, 15 Apr Josh Baulf & Friends, The Stand, 16 Apr
• Charles Esten, Usher Hall, 20 Apr
• Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to ABBA, Nicolson Square, 20 Apr
• Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Queen, Nicolson Square, 20 Apr
• Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo, Edinburgh Playhouse, 21 Apr
• Blue, Usher Hall, 25 Apr
• Madagascar The Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 – 27 Apr
• Rhapsody in Blue by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 26 Apr
• Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, O2 Academy, 27 Apr

May

• The Drifters Girl, Edinburgh Playhouse, 30 Apr – 4 May
• Scottish Ballet: Swan Lake, Festival Theatre, 2 – 4 May
• BBC Radio 2 Sounds Of The 80s Live Tour, O2 Academy, 3 May
• Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, Usher Hall, 7 May
• Tom Houghton: It’s Not Ideal, The Stand, 9 May
• Average White Band, Usher Hall, 11 May
• Julian Clary, Queens Hall, 11 May
• The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour, Edinburgh Playhouse, 14 May
• Romesh Ranganathan: Hustle, Edinburgh Playhouse, 16 – 17 May
• Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 May
• Edinburgh Playhouse, 19 May
• Chris Kent: Back At It, The Stand, 19 May
• Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Usher Hall, 21 May   Tom Davis: Underdog, Queens Hall, 24 May
• The Staves, Assembly Rooms, 25 May
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Edinburgh Playhouse, 28 May – 1 Jun
• Iain Stirling: Relevant, Festival Theatre, 31 May

Festivals and Special Events

March

• Edinburgh International Improv Festival, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 29 Feb – 3 Mar
• Eat Out Edinburgh, various venues, 1 – 31 Mar
• Edinburgh Science Festival, various venues, 30 Mar – 14 Apr

April

• Edinburgh Science Festival, various venues, 30 Mar – 14 Apr
• Edinburgh International Harp Festival, George Watson’s, 5 – 9 Apr
• Scottish Vegan Festival, Assembly Rooms, 7 Apr
• Terminal V Festival, Royal Highland Centre, 13 – 15 Apr
• Beltane Fire Festival, Calton Hill, 30 Apr

May

• Whisky Month, various venues, 1 – 31 May
• TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 3 – 13 May
• Brick Fest Live, Royal Highland Centre, 4 – 6 May
• Hidden Door Festival, secret location, 10 – 11 May
• Pint Of Science Festival, various venues, 13 – 15 May
• Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 25 May – 2 Jun

Activities and Experiences

March

• Sing in the Playhouse, Boards Bar, Edinburgh Playhouse, 9 Jan – 2 Apr
• Hidden & Haunted Ghost Tour, Blair Street Vaults, 1 Mar – 26 Apr
• Edinburgh Beer Tour, city centre, 1 Mar – 28 Apr
• Historical Walking Tour, city centre, 2 Mar – 28 Apr
• Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience, city centre, 3 Mar – 28 Apr
• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 5, 12, 15, 19 & 26 Mar
• Taylor Swift Boozy Brunch, YOTEL Edinburgh, 23 Mar

April

• Sing in the Playhouse, Boards Bar, Edinburgh Playhouse, 9 Jan – 2 Apr
• Hidden & Haunted Ghost Tour, Blair Street Vaults, 1 Mar – 26 Apr
• Edinburgh Beer Tour, city centre, 1 Mar – 28 Apr
• Historical Walking Tour, city centre, 2 Mar – 28 Apr
• Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience, city centre, 3 Mar – 28 Apr
• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 2, 9, 16, 23, 26 & 30 Apr

May

• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 7, 10, 14, 21 & 28 May
• Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat
• Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
• Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, O2 Academy, every Sat & Sun
• Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun
• Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 6 – 12 May
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

Markets and Fairs

March

• Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat
• Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat
• Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
• Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, O2 Academy, every Sat & Sun   Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun

March

• Jack & Jill Market, Granton College, 2 Mar

April

• Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 1 – 7 Apr
• Edinburgh Careers Fair, Assembly Rooms, 10 Apr
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 27 Apr

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

March

• Connecting Histories, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 30 Jun – 14 Apr
• Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland, 5 Aug – 26 May
• Rising Tide, National Museum of Scotland, 12 Aug – 14 Apr
• Theravā da Buddhism, National Museum of Scotland, 16 Sep – 9 Jun
• Making Space: Photographs of Architecture, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 7 Oct – 3 Mar
• Monarchs of the Glen, Dovecot Studios, 14 Oct – 2 Mar
• The Scottish Landscape Awards, City Art Centre, 4 Nov – 3 Mar
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Museum of Scotland, 20 Jan – 6 May
• Andy Warhol: The Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 26 Jan – 18 May
• Paolozzi at 100, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 27 Jan – 21 Apr
• Do Ho Suh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 17 Feb – 1 Sep
• Pauline Caulfield Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 8 Mar – 20 Jul
• Candice Lin, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
• Talbot Rice Residents, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
• Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 23 Mar – 15 Sep

April

• Connecting Histories, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 30 Jun – 14 Apr
• Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland,
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Museum of Scotland, 20 Jan – 6 May
• Andy Warhol: The Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 26 Jan – 18 May
• Paolozzi at 100, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 27 Jan – 21 Apr
• Do Ho Suh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 17 Feb – 1 Sep
• Pauline Caulfield Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 8 Mar – 20 Jul
• Talbot Rice Residents, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
• Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 23 Mar – 15 Sep

May

• Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland, 5 Aug – 26 May
• Theravā da Buddhism, National Museum of Scotland, 16 Sep – 9 Jun
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Museum of Scotland, 20 Jan – 6 May
• Andy Warhol: The Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 26 Jan – 18 May
• Do Ho Suh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 17 Feb – 1 Sep
• Pauline Caulfield Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 8 Mar – 20 Jul
• Candice Lin, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
• Talbot Rice Residents, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
• Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 23 Mar – 15 Sep
• National Treasures: Vermeer in Edinburgh, Scottish National Gallery, 10 May – 8 Sep
• Adam Bruce Thomson: The Quiet Path, City Art Centre, 11 May – 6 Oct
• Women in Revolt! Art & Activism in UK…, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 25 May – 26 Jan

Sports and Fundraising Events

March

• Meadows Marathon, The Meadows, 3 Mar

April

• Scottish Kilomathon, various routes, 7 Apr
• Target Ovarian Cancer Running Events, 25 – 26 May
• Edinburgh Marathon Festival, various routes, 26 May

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