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

• NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 Feb – 1 Mar
• Iris DeMent, Queen’s Hall, 1 Mar
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 1 & 29 Mar
• The Royal Mile Chamber Music Series, St Giles’ Cathedral, 3 & 31 Mar
• Mike and The Mechanics, Usher Hall, 5 Mar
• Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart, Festival Theatre, 7 – 8 Mar
• Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 7 Mar
• Voulez Vous: The Music of ABBA, Edinburgh Playhouse, 8 Mar
• James Martin Live, Usher Hall, 9 Mar
• Ellen Kent: La Bohème, Edinburgh Playhouse, 10 Mar   B ear’s Den: Islands 10th Anniversary Tour, Queen’s Hall, 10 Mar
• Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly, Edinburgh Playhouse, 11 Mar
• Greg Davies: Full Fat Legend, Edinburgh Playhouse, 12 – 14 Mar
• Michael Kiwanuka, Usher Hall, 12 Mar
• The Darkness: Dreams on Toast, Usher Hall, 18 Mar   A lison Moyet, Usher Hall, 20 Mar
• Katherine Ryan: Battleaxe, EICC, 21 Mar
• Lauren Mayberry, La Belle Angèle, 21 Mar   L ucy Spraggan, Queen’s Hall, 21 Mar
• Alabama 3, Queen’s Hall, 22 Mar
• Public Service Broadcasting, Usher Hall, 25 Mar
• Nikita Kuzmin: Midnight Dancer, Edinburgh Playhouse, 26 Mar
• Eshaan Akbar: Live 2025, The Stand, 27 Mar
• Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman, Edinburgh Playhouse, 27 Mar
• Russell Kane: HyperActive, Edinburgh Playhouse, 28 Mar
• Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 28 Mar
• A Night at the Opera by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 28 Mar
• Dr Rangan Chatterjee: The Thrive Tour, Edinburgh Playhouse, 29 Mar
• Richard Herring: Can I Have My Ball Back? Queen’s Hall, 29 Mar
• Deacon Blue: The Great Western Road Trip, Usher Hall, 30 Mar

April

• Primal Scream, Usher Hall, 3 Apr
• Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 5 Apr
• Andy and the Odd Socks: Are You Ready To Rock?! Assembly Rooms, 8 Apr
• Imelda May, Queen’s Hall, 9 Apr
• Father John Misty, Usher Hall, 12 Apr
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 Apr – 14 Jun
• MC Hammersmith, Monkey Barrel Comedy, 25 Apr
• Bach and Vivaldi Double Violin Concertos by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 26 Apr
• Goldberg Variations by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 26 Apr
• The Prat Pack, Usher Hall, 27 Apr
• Roger Daltrey, Usher Hall, 30 Apr

May

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 Apr – 14 Jun
• The Flaming Lips performing Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Usher Hall, 1 May
• Ellie Taylor: Palavering, EICC, 3 May
• Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Usher Hall, 3 May
• China Crisis, Queen’s Hall, 8 May
• Candlelight: Tribute to Radiohead, St Giles’ Cathedral, 9 May
• Pixies, O2 Academy, 14 May
• Huey Morgan: The Fun Lovin’ Criminal, Liquid Room, 15 May
• Capercaillie, Usher Hall, 17 May
• The Australian Bee Gees Show: Feel the Fever.. Again, Festival Theatre, 18 May
• Country Hits Live, Assembly Rooms, 18 May K arl Porter, The Stand, 21 May
• We Are Scientists, La Belle Angèle, 22 May
• Crash Test Dummies, La Belle Angèle, 23 May
• Morgan Jay: The Goofy Guy, Queen’s Hall, 28 – 29 May
• Gary Barlow: Songbook Tour 2025, Usher Hall, 29 May
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 30 May
• Robbie Williams, Murrayfield, 31 May

Festivals and Special Events

March

• The Gin To My Tonic Festival, Central Hall, 1 Mar
• Eat Out Edinburgh, various venues, 1 – 31 Mar
• Laithwaites Wine Festival, Assembly Rooms, 8 Mar
• Edinburgh International Improv Festival, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 20 – 23 Mar

April

• Edinburgh Science Festival, various venues, 5 – 20 Apr
• Scottish Vegan Festival, Assembly Rooms, 6 Apr
• Edinburgh International Harp Festival, George Watson’s College, 11 – 15 Apr
• Beltane Fire Festival, Calton Hill, 30 Apr

May

• Whisky Month, various venues, 1 – 31 May
• TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 2 – 12 May
• Pint Of Science Festival, various venues, 19 – 21 May
• Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 24 May – 1 Jun

Activities and Experiences

March

• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, Assembly Roxy, 21 Mar
• Silent Disco Adventure Tour, city centre route, selected dates
• Gin Tour and Tasting, Lind & Lime Distillery, selected dates
• Hidden & Haunted Ghost Tour, Blair Street Vaults, selected dates
• Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience, city centre, selected dates
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, city centre, selected dates
• Historical Walking Tour, city centre, selected dates
• The Mountebank Comedy Walk, Monkey Barrel Comedy, selected dates
• Distillery Tour, Holyrood Distillery, selected dates
• Luxury Whisky Tasting, Underground Vaults, selected dates

April

• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, Assembly Roxy, 18 Apr

May

• Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, Assembly Roxy, 2 May

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
• Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street, every day
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 29 Mar

April

• 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
• Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street, every day
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 26 Apr

May

• 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
• Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street, every day  Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 5 – 11 May
• Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 31 May

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

March

• Theravā da Buddhism, National Museum of Scotland, until 9 Mar
• Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland, City Art Centre, 14 Sep – 1 Jun
• Everlyn Nicodemus, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 19 Oct – 25 May
• Celebrating 40 Years of Scotland’s Photography… Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 26 Oct – 16 Mar
• Pop Life, City Art Centre, 2 Nov – 9 Mar
• Through Line, City Art Centre, 9 Nov – 2 Mar
• Ptolemy Mann: Woven Colour, Dovecot Studios, 9 Nov – 5 Mar
• The Craft of Couture: Victor Edelstein designs for Anna Miller, Museum of Edinburgh, 28 Nov – 1 Jun
• Injecting Hope, National Museum of Scotland, 25 Jan – 27 Apr
• The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives, Dovecot Studios, 27 Feb – 28 Jun
• Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography, King’s Gallery, 28 Feb – 7 Sep
• Jerwood Survey III, Collective, 28 Feb – 4 May
• Ian Hamilton Finlay, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 8 Mar – 26 May
• Walker & Bromwich: Searching for a Change of
• Consciousness, Talbot Rice Gallery, 15 Mar – 31 May

April

• Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland, City Art Centre, 14 Sep – 1 Jun
• Everlyn Nicodemus, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 19 Oct – 25 May
• The Craft of Couture: Victor Edelstein designs for Anna Miller, Museum of Edinburgh, 28 Nov – 1 Jun
• Injecting Hope, National Museum of Scotland, 25 Jan – 27 Apr
• The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives, Dovecot Studios, 27 Feb – 28 Jun
• Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography, King’s Gallery, 28 Feb – 7 Sep
• Jerwood Survey III, Collective, 28 Feb – 4 May
• Ian Hamilton Finlay, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 8 Mar – 26 May
• Walker & Bromwich: Searching for a Change of  Consciousness, Talbot Rice Gallery, 15 Mar – 31 May
• The World of King James VI and I, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 26 Apr – 14 Sep

May

Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland, City Art Centre, 14 Sep – 1 Jun

• Everlyn Nicodemus, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 19 Oct – 25 May
• The Craft of Couture: Victor Edelstein designs for Anna Miller, Museum of Edinburgh, 28 Nov – 1 Jun
• The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspectives, Dovecot Studios, 27 Feb – 28 Jun
• Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography, King’s Gallery, 28 Feb – 7 Sep
• Jerwood Survey III, Collective, 28 Feb – 4 May
• Ian Hamilton Finlay, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 8 Mar – 26 May
• Walker & Bromwich: Searching for a Change of Consciousness, Talbot Rice Gallery, 15 Mar – 31 May Museum of Edinburgh, 19 Apr – 8 Sep
• The World of King James VI and I, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 26 Apr – 14 Sep
• Your Art World, Scottish National Gallery, 10 May – 2 Nov
• Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000, City Art Centre, 17 May, 12 Oct
• John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, City Art Centre, 31 May – 28 Sep

Sports and Fundraising Events

March

• Meadows Marathon, The Meadows, 2 Mar

April

• Scottish Kilomathon, various routes, 6 Apr

May

• Edinburgh Marathon Festival, various routes, 24 – 25 May

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