Discover what’s on in Edinburgh this Summer.

As summer approaches, Edinburgh comes alive with an abundance of activities and attractions for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly adventures, cultural festivals, or culinary delights, Scotland’s capital city has something to offer everyone. Let’s dive into the top experiences to enjoy in Edinburgh this summer across various categories.

Family-Friendly Things to Do: Summer in Edinburgh is perfect for family outings and adventures. Spend a day at the Edinburgh Zoo, where kids can marvel at exotic animals and enjoy interactive exhibits. For a dose of history and fun, explore the Edinburgh Dungeon, where theatrical actors bring Scotland’s dark past to life. Don’t miss a visit to Dynamic Earth, an interactive museum exploring the Earth’s past, present, and future through immersive exhibits and activities. Learn more

Events and Festivals: Edinburgh’s summer calendar is packed with exciting events and festivals that celebrate art, culture, and music. The Edinburgh International Festival, held in August, showcases world-class performances in theatre, opera, dance, and music, attracting artists and audiences from around the globe. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world, offers a diverse array of performances, street entertainment, and pop-up venues, transforming the city into a vibrant cultural hub. Learn more

Best Sights and Landmarks: Edinburgh is home to an impressive array of sights and landmarks that capture the city’s rich history and architectural beauty. Explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock, and delve into centuries of Scottish heritage within its ancient walls. Wander down the Royal Mile, a bustling thoroughfare lined with historic buildings, quaint shops, and cosy pubs. For panoramic views of the city, climb Calton Hill or visit the Scott Monument, a towering Gothic structure honouring Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Learn more

In conclusion, Edinburgh offers an unforgettable summer experience filled with adventure, culture, and culinary delights. Whether you’re exploring historic landmarks, soaking up the festival atmosphere, or indulging in delicious food and drink, Edinburgh promises a summer to remember.

What’s on this Summer?

Music, Theatre and Comedy

June

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Festival Theatre, 30 May – 3 Jun
Danny Bhoy: Now Is Not A Good Time, Queens Hall, 2 Jun
Camel: 50 Years Strong, Usher Hall, 3 Jun
Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book, Festival Theatre, 4 Jun
Courteeners, O2 Academy, 4 Jun
Motion house: Nobody, Festival Theatre, 7 Jun
Judi Love: The One Like Judi Lov, Queens Hall, 8 Jun
Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele, Nicolson Square, 9 Jun
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Nicolson Square, 9Jun
Steve Earle, Queens Hall, 11 Jun
Robert Cray, Queens Hall, 12 Jun
The Proclaimers, Leith Links, 17-18 Jun
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Usher Hall, 17 Jun
Richard Thompson, Queens Hall, 18 Jun
Finlay Christie: OK Zoomer, The Stand, 18 Jun
Titanic, Festival Theatre, 19 – 24 Jun
Ballet Black, Festival Theatre, 28 – 29 Jun

July

Bass Hunter, La Belle Angele, 2 Jul
The Lumineers, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 5 Jul
Rod Stewart, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 6 – 7 Jul
The Who, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 8 – 9 Jul
Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey, Festival Theatre, 8 Jul
Belle & Sebastian, Usher Hall, 9 Jul
Dermot Kennedy, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 13 Jul
Inspiral Carpets, Liquid Room, 21 Jul
Levellers, O2 Academy, 21 Jul
Kiefer Sutherland, Queens Hall, 26 Jul
Vintage Trouble, Queens Hall, 29 Jul

August

Forth on the Fringe, Edinburgh Playhouse, 4 – 5 Aug
Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny 2.0, Edinburgh Playhouse, 7 Aug
I Remember It Well: Judi Dench with Gyles Brandreth, Edinburgh Playhouse, 8 Aug
Daniel Sloss: Can’t, Edinburgh Playhouse, 9 – 10 Aug
First Aid Kit, O2 Academy, 16 Aug
Patrick Topping Presents Trick Edinburgh, Royal Highland Centre, 18 Aug
Hot Dub Time Machine, Royal Highland Centre, 19 Aug
Paul Smith: Joker, O2 Academy, 25 – 26 Aug
Greatest Days, Edinburgh Playhouse, 28 Aug – 2 Sep
The Killers, Royal Highland Centre, 29 Aug
Lewis Capaldi, Royal Highland Centre, 30 Aug – 1 Sep

Festivals and Special Events

June

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 27 May – 4 Jun
Hidden Door Festival, Dalkeith Road, 31 May – 4 Jun
The Mash Up: Whisky & Beer Festival, Holyrood Distillery, 2 – 4 Jun
Meadows Festival, The Meadows, 3 – 4 Jun
The Gin to my Tonic Festival, Assembly Rooms, 9 – 10 Jun
Great British Food Festival, Dalkeith Country Park, 10 –11 Jun
Leith Festival, various venues, 10 – 18 Jun
Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race, Edinburgh Quay, 17 – 18 Jun
Royal Highland Show, Royal Highland Centre, 22 – 25 Jun
Pride Edinburgh, city centre route, 24 Jun

July

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, various venues, 14 –23 Jul
Scottish Festival of Motoring, Royal Highland Centre, 16Jul
Edinburgh Food Festival, George Square Gardens, 21 –30 Jul
Carnival! city centre route, TBC

August

Edinburgh International Festival, various venues, 4 – 27 Aug
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, various venues, 4 – 28 Aug
Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 4 – 26 Aug
Edinburgh Foodies Festival, Inverleith Park, 4 – 6 Aug
Edinburgh Art Festival, various venues, 11 – 27 Aug
Edinburgh International Book Festival, various venues,12 – 28 Aug
Edinburgh International Film Festival, various venues,18 – 23 Aug
Edinburgh International Television Festival, EICC, 22 –25 Aug
Connect Festival, Royal Highland Centre, 25 – 27 Aug

Activities and Experiences

June

Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
Edinburgh Dungeon Lates (18+), Edinburgh Dungeon, every Fri
Edinburgh Cheese Crawl, Comely Bank, every Sat
Backstage Tour, Festival Theatre, 3 Jun
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 6, 13, 16, 20 & 27 Jun
Art and Textiles Workshops, Dovecot Studios, TBC

July

Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
Edinburgh Cheese Crawl, Comely Bank, every Sat
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 4, 7, 11 & 22 Jul
Art and Textiles Workshops, Dovecot Studios, TBC

August

Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
Edinburgh Cheese Crawl, Comely Bank, every Sat
Art and Textiles Workshops, Dovecot Studios, TBC

Markets and Fairs

June

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
Jack & Jill Market, Edinburgh Granton College, 3 Jun
Castle St Fai, Castle Street, 5 – 11 Jun
Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 24 Jun

July

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 Jul
West End Fair, St John’s Church, 31 Jul – 27 Aug
Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

August

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
West End Fair, St John’s Church, 31 Jul – 27 Aug
Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 4 – 20 Aug
Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

June

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, Bonnie &Wild, 1 Feb – 31 Jan
Collaborate! Part III, Dovecot Studios, 4 Mar – 24 Jun
Local Foreigners: the human face of Immigration, Museum of Edinburgh, 11 Mar – 10 Sep
Shipping Roots, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 24Mar – 27 Aug
Sebastián Díaz Morales: Smashing Monuments, Collective, 25 Mar – 11 Jun
Front PAGE Views, Museum of Edinburgh, 29 Mar – 25Jun
Kaff e Fassett: The Power of Pattern, Dovecot Studios,31 Mar – 8 Jul
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish NationalGallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
Decades: The Art of Change 1900–1980, ScottishNational Gallery of Modern Art, 29 Apr – 7 Jan
When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65, City ArtCentre, 27 May – 1 Oct
The Declaration of Arbroath, National Museum of Scotland, 3 Jun – 2 Jul
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2022, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 17 Jun – 10 Sep
Lawrence Abu Hamdan: 45th Parallel, Talbot RiceGallery, 24 Jun – 30 Sep
Jesse Jones: The Tower, Talbot Rice Gallery, 24 Jun – 30 Sep

July

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, Bonnie &Wild, 1 Feb – 31 Jan
Local Foreigners: the human face of Immigration, Museum of Edinburgh, 11 Mar – 10 Sep
Shipping Roots, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 24Mar – 27 Aug
Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern, Dovecot Studios,31 Mar – 8 Jul
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish NationalGallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
Decades: The Art of Change 1900–1980, ScottishNational Gallery of Modern Art, 29 Apr – 7 Jan
When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65, City ArtCentre, 27 May – 1 Oct
The Declaration of Arbroath, National Museum of Scotland, 3 Jun – 2 Jul
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2022, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 17 Jun – 10 Sep
Lawrence Abu Hamdan: 45th Parallel, Talbot Rice Gallery, 24 Jun – 30 Sep
Jesse Jones: The Tower, Talbot Rice Gallery, 24 Jun – 30Sep
Beyond the Little Black Dress, National Museum of Scotland, 1 Jul – 29 Oct
Scottish Landscapes: A New Generation, DovecotStudios, 1 Jul – 7 Oct
Grayson Perry, Scottish National Gallery, 22 Jul – 12Nov
Scottish Women Artists, Dovecot Studios., 28 Jul – 6 Jan

August

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, Bonnie &Wild, 1 Feb – 31 Jan
Local Foreigners: the human face of Immigration, Museum of Edinburgh, 11 Mar – 10 Sep
Shipping Roots, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 24 Mar – 27 Aug
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish NationalGallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
Decades: The Art of Change 1900–1980, ScottishNational Gallery of Modern Art, 29 Apr – 7 Jan
When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65, City ArtCentre, 27 May – 1 Oct
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2022, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 17 Jun – 10 Sep
Lawrence Abu Hamdan: 45th Parallel, Talbot RiceGallery, 24 Jun – 30 Sep
Jesse Jones: The Tower, Talbot Rice Gallery, 24 Jun – 30Sep
Beyond the Little Black Dress, National Museum of Scotland, 1 Jul – 29 Oct
Scottish Landscapes: A New Generation, DovecotStudios, 1 Jul – 7 Oct
Grayson Perry, Scottish National Gallery, 22 Jul – 12Nov
Scottish Women Artists, Dovecot Studios., 28 Jul – 6 Jan
Rising Tide, National Museum of Scotland, 12 Aug – 14Apr

Sports and Fundraising Events

June

Poppy Quest, Edinburgh route, 3 Jun
Race For Life: 5K & 10K, Holyrood Park, 4 Jun
Race For Life: Pretty Muddy, The Meadows, 11 Jun
Seven Hills of Edinburgh, Calton Hill, 18 Jun

July

Great Scottish Walk & Run, Silverknowes Promenade, 2Jul
City of Edinburgh Running Festival, Meggetland, TBC

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What’s on this Summer Edinburgh 2023

Discover what’s on in Edinburgh this Summer.