Music
The Sound of Scotland: The Best of Scottish Folk Music with Shooglenifty, FARA and Heron Valley
The Queen's Hall
Tue 25 Aug 2026
19:00
Lothian, Scotland
Things to Do in Edinburgh
The latest events, gigs, theatre, comedy and family days out in Edinburgh — updated daily from venues across the city.
About events in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the most event-rich cities in the UK, and it packs an extraordinary amount of culture into a compact, walkable centre. From the medieval closes of the Old Town to the Georgian elegance of the New Town, there is almost always something happening — a comedy try-out night in a basement bar, a symphony at the Usher Hall, a book launch in a Stockbridge cafe, or a torch-lit procession up Calton Hill.
Locals know Edinburgh isn't just August's festival city. Autumn brings jazz weeks and Diwali lantern trails; winter fills George Street with Christmas markets and Hogmanay street parties; spring wakes up the Meadows with community fairs and film festivals; and summer, of course, turns the whole city into an open-air venue for the Fringe, International Festival, Book Festival and Tattoo. Whatever the month, the city rewards visitors who plan a little and wander a lot.
This guide brings together the best of what's on in Edinburgh right now, along with tips on where to look, which neighbourhoods host what, and how to find hidden events beyond the obvious tourist trail. Use the live listings below to jump straight to tickets, or scroll on for a proper overview of the city's cultural calendar.
Upcoming events in Edinburgh
See all Edinburgh eventsEvent
Hostile
Church Hill Theatre
Wed 26 Aug 2026
Theatre
EIF 26: Pierre-Laurent Aimard - Tribute to Alfred Brendel
The Queen's Hall
Wed 26 Aug 2026
10:00
Event
Taverna Miresia - Mario, Bella, Anastasia
Church Hill Theatre
Sun 13 Sep 2026
Event
Artie's Singing Kettle - Live!
Church Hill Theatre
Sun 13 Sep 2026
Event
Komedia and Live Nation present: Count Arthur Strong in It’s Goodnight From Me – The Final Tour 2027
EICC
Fri 1 Jan 2027
Event
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act
Cameo Cinema
Fri 4 Jun 2027
Things to do in Edinburgh
See a show on the Royal Mile or in the Old Town
The Royal Mile is the beating heart of Edinburgh's performance scene. Historic venues like the Assembly Roxy, the Pleasance Courtyard and the Scottish Storytelling Centre programme theatre, spoken word and folk gigs year-round, not only during the Fringe. Look for smaller rooms above pubs in the Grassmarket and Cowgate for cheap, high-quality stand-up and new-writing nights.
Catch a gig in Leith or Tollcross
For live music, head north to Leith Theatre and Leith Depot, or south-west to the Usher Hall, Queen's Hall and the intimate Voodoo Rooms. Edinburgh's independent music scene punches well above its weight, with regular touring bands, jazz residencies and Scottish traditional sessions.
Explore Edinburgh's museums after dark
The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the Modern Two gallery run late-openings, curator talks and family workshops throughout the year. Many are free, which makes them a low-risk way to fill an evening if the weather turns.
Days out with kids
Beyond the castle, families gravitate toward Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo, the Royal Botanic Garden and Cramond beach. Community-run events at Inverleith Park and the Meadows — think fun runs, food festivals and craft markets — are consistently well-loved by locals.
Eat, drink and stay out late
Edinburgh's food scene is one of the best in Scotland. Bruntsfield, Stockbridge and Leith Walk are the neighbourhoods to explore for independent restaurants and cocktail bars, while the Grassmarket and Cowgate stay busy into the small hours.
Edinburgh events by month
- JanuaryBurns Night suppers
Traditional Burns Night events pop up in pubs, hotels and community halls across the city on and around 25 January.
- FebruaryManipulate Festival & LGBT History Month
Puppetry, animation and visual theatre at the Traverse, alongside LGBTQ+ history talks and film screenings.
- AprilEdinburgh Science Festival
Two weeks of hands-on science events for kids and adults across dozens of city-centre venues.
- JuneEdinburgh International Film Festival
New British and international cinema, plus retrospectives and Q&A screenings.
- AugustFringe, International Festival, Book & Tattoo
The world's biggest arts festival takes over the entire city for four weeks.
- OctoberScottish International Storytelling Festival
Live storytelling from around the world, centred on the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- DecemberEdinburgh's Christmas & Hogmanay
Markets on Princes Street Gardens, torchlight processions and the famous street party on 31 December.
Popular venues in Edinburgh
Edinburgh events FAQ
What events are on in Edinburgh this weekend?
Use the live listings on this page to see everything happening in Edinburgh over the next few days, from gigs and comedy nights to family days out. Listings refresh throughout the day.
When is the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs for most of August each year, with over 3,000 shows across the city. Programme announcements typically appear in early June.
Are there free events in Edinburgh?
Yes — many museum lates, community festivals, park events and gallery openings are free. Filter by category on the events page to browse.
Where should I stay to be close to the action?
The Old Town and the West End keep you within walking distance of most venues. Leith and Bruntsfield are quieter but very well connected by bus.