Days out within 5 miles of Edinburgh
- Filter by:
- Days out
- Agricultural show
- Car boot sale
- Craft fairs
- Exhibition
- Fairs
- Fashion
-
Fireworks display - Fun fair
- Gala
- Gardens
-
Highland games & gatherings - History
- Markets
-
Motor shows - Nature
-
Outdoor - Science
- Storytelling
- Traditional & heritage
- Walks
- Wildlife
- Hitlisted
- Festival
- Free events
391 events within 5 miles
Sorted by popularity / date & time
Meadows Festival
Edinburgh's festival season kicks off with the Meadows Festival, which offers the best local bands, dance groups, quirky performers and workshops amidst lots of family-friendly activities.
The Meadows, Edinburgh (1.3 miles)
Sat 1 Jun
Times vary / Free
Sun 2 Jun
Times vary / Free
Jalan Jati (Teak Road)
An exhibition tracing the imagined history of a teak bed found in a Singapore junk shop back to the tree from which it was made, incorporating photographs, prints, collages and an award-winning short film.
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (2.0 miles)
Wed 22 May
John Hope Gateway Centre
Free / 0131 248 2909
- 10:00 – 18:00
Thu 23 May
John Hope Gateway Centre
Free / 0131 248 2909
- 10:00 – 18:00
Fri 24 May
John Hope Gateway Centre
Free / 0131 248 2909
- 10:00 – 18:00
Arthur's Secrets
Take a walk up Edinburgh's own volcanic plug and discover its past, present and wildlife. Moderately graded walk. Ages 8+. Booking is essential.
Holyrood Park Education Centre, Edinburgh (0.4 miles)
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 668 8885
- 13:00 – 15:00
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 0131 668 8885
- 13:00 – 15:00
Tue 11 Jun
Free / 0131 668 8885
- 13:00 – 15:00
Family Storytime
Interactive storytelling sessions for families with children under 7 years.
Edinburgh Festival Theatre (0.9 miles)
Sat 25 May
£5 (Family £15; under 2s free) / 0131 529 6000
Just So Stories: How the Alphabet was Made.
- 10:30
- 12:30
Sat 8 Jun
£5 (Family £15; under 2s free) / 0131 529 6000
Just So Stories: The Crab that Played with the Sea.
- 10:30
- 12:30
Sat 22 Jun
£5 (Family £15; under 2s free) / 0131 529 6000
Just So Stories: The Elephant's Child.
- 10:30
- 12:30
Sat 6 Jul
£5 (Family £15; under 2s free) / 0131 529 6000
Just So Stories: How the Whale got his Throat.
- 10:30
- 12:30
Pirates and Patriots
Meet an American prisoner who's holed up in the depths of the castle's vaults and learn about the American War of Independence and what life was like once you'd been captured.
Edinburgh Castle (1.4 miles)
Thu 23 May
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Thu 30 May
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Thu 6 Jun
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Against the Dark
Regular role-playing night.
Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh (1.6 miles)
Sun 26 May
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444
- 14:00 – 17:00
Sun 2 Jun
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444
- 14:00 – 17:00
Sun 9 Jun
Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444
- 14:00 – 17:00
The Colour Ham
Magical comedy sketch group comprising Colin McLeod, Gavin Oattes and Kevin McMahon, making good use of absurdity, magic and mentalism. Member Gavin Oattes allegedly once licked Paul Daniels' face, so anything could happen, really. Over 18s only.
Just the Tonic, Edinburgh (1.0 miles)
Thu 1 Aug
Fri 2 Aug
£8 (£7) / 0131 556 5375
Sat 3 Aug
£8 (£7) / 0131 556 5375
Edinburgh Creative Writers' Club
Creative writers of all stripes – poets, short story scribes, script writers, flash fiction junkies – are invited to discuss all things writing, from procuring an agent to overcoming writer's block.
Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh (1.6 miles)
Mon 27 May
Free / 0131 229 4444
- 19:00 – 22:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 0131 229 4444
- 19:00 – 22:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 0131 229 4444
- 19:00 – 22:00
Morningside Makers Market
A monthly boutique craft and design market held on the first Saturday of every month with artists, crafters and designers offering ceramics, jewellery, glassware, photography, textiles and art.
Columcille Centre, Edinburgh (2.2 miles)
Sat 1 Jun
Free / 0131 447 7404
- 11:00 – 16:00
Sat 6 Jul
Free / 0131 447 7404
- 11:00 – 16:00
Sat 3 Aug
Free / 0131 447 7404
- 11:00 – 16:00
Out of the Blue Flea Market
Bargain buys including furniture, clothes, music and more.
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh (1.1 miles)
Sat 25 May
Free / 0131 555 7100
- 10:00 – 15:00
Sat 29 Jun
Free / 0131 555 7100
- 10:00 – 15:00
Sat 27 Jul
Free / 0131 555 7100
- 10:00 – 15:00
The RoadBlock Run
RoadBlock Run (formerly Urbanathlon) returns with another race filled with obstacles for runners to negotiate in aid of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. Prizes for fastest males, females and teams, as well as a special prize for runners in fancy dress.
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh (0.5 miles)
Sun 22 Sep
£14 / 0845 450 2000
- 11:30 – 16:00
Arthur's Secrets
A moderate graded walk, led by Historic Scotland Rangers Service, to explore the geology, natural history, archaeology and cultural history of Holyrood Park. Find out about the rare wildlife that makes the park so special and learn more about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh (1.0 miles)
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 652 8150
- 13:00
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 0131 652 8150
- 13:00
Tue 11 Jun
Free / 0131 652 8150
- 13:00
Asparagus Week
It's a vegetable that doesn't come without its repercussions, but the misfit asparagus is still rather delicious. Celebrate its long-standing status as a showcase ingredient as Henderson's chefs put it in everything they can think of, from starters to bakes.
Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant, Edinburgh (1.4 miles)
Mon 3 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00
Tue 4 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00
Wed 5 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00
Henderson's Bistro, Edinburgh (1.4 miles)
Mon 3 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2605
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 12:00 – 20:30
Tue 4 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2605
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 12:00 – 20:30
Wed 5 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2605
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 12:00 – 20:30
Henderson's @ St John's, Edinburgh (1.7 miles)
Mon 3 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 229 0212
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 10:00 – 17:00
Tue 4 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 229 0212
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 10:00 – 17:00
Wed 5 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 229 0212
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 10:00 – 17:00
Bad Boy Pub Quiz
The Bad Boy Pub Quiz: an evening of fun and frolics, musical statues, pass the pineapple, and the chance to win 'hunners' of money. Loads of great prizes to be won, and plenty of crap ones too!
The Three Sisters, Edinburgh (1.1 miles)
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Tue 11 Jun
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Cargo, Edinburgh (1.8 miles)
Wed 22 May
Free / 0131 659 7880
- 18:00 – 20:00
Wed 29 May
Free / 0131 659 7880
- 18:00 – 20:00
Wed 5 Jun
Free / 0131 659 7880
- 18:00 – 20:00
Beautiful Books
Make books inspired by the medical collections of Surgeons' Hall over four weeks, with guidance from artist Susie Wilson. Ages 16+.
Surgeons' Hall Museum, Edinburgh (0.9 miles)
Wed 22 May
£5 per class; £15 for all four (£3 per class; £9 for all four) / 0131 527 1649
- 13:00 – 15:00
Thu 23 May
£5 per class; £15 for all four (£3 per class; £9 for all four) / 0131 527 1649
- 13:00 – 15:00
Fri 24 May
£5 per class; £15 for all four (£3 per class; £9 for all four) / 0131 527 1649
- 13:00 – 15:00
Sat 25 May
£5 per class; £15 for all four (£3 per class; £9 for all four) / 0131 527 1649
- 13:00 – 15:00
Blackwell's Book Group
Share the reading experience with a group of fellow booklovers, with an evening of friendly discussion.
Blackwell's, Edinburgh (0.9 miles)
Mon 17 Jun
Free / 0131 622 8222
This month: The Heat of the Day by Elizabeth Bowen.
- 18:00
Edinburgh Napier University Degree Show
The Edinburgh Napier Degree Show is an annual showcase of the creative talent of new and emerging designers, photographers, film makers, art directors, advertising directors, journalists, creative writers, television programme makers, and actors.
Edinburgh Napier University (2.3 miles)
Fri 24 May
Free / 0845 260 6040
- 10:00 – 18:00
Sat 25 May
Free / 0845 260 6040
- 10:00 – 17:00
Sun 26 May
Free / 0845 260 6040
- 10:00 – 17:00
Edinburgh Zoo Nights
There is no one among us who hasn't wanted to visit the zoo after hours. Just what do all those critters do after dark, anyway? Now's there's a way to find out! The zoo opens its gates for an adults-only extravaganza featuring dancing, music, a champagne and a Pimm's bar, tapas, sushi, BBQ (take a breath) facepainting…
Edinburgh Zoo (4.2 miles)
Fri 24 May
£20 (Members £17) / 0131 314 0340
- 18:00 – 22:00
Fri 28 Jun
£20 (Members £17) / 0131 314 0340
- 18:00 – 22:00
Hands on History
See history in a closer and more interactive light in the Great Hall, where you can get to grips (literally) with some of Scotland's past.
Edinburgh Castle (1.4 miles)
Fri 24 May
Times vary / Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
Tue 28 May
Times vary / Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
Fri 31 May
Times vary / Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
Kilts and Captivity
Hear about the rebellions of the 17th and 18th centuries first-hand (well, kinda) from two Jacobite soldiers involved in the uprisings.
Edinburgh Castle (1.4 miles)
Wed 22 May
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Wed 29 May
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Wed 5 Jun
Included in admission / 0131 225 9846
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 14:00
- 15:00
Neu! Reekie!
Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.
Summerhall, Edinburgh (1.0 miles)
Fri 31 May
£7 / 0845 874 3001
With readings from American poet Krystelle Bamford and short story writer McGuire; music from Stevie Jackson of Belle and Sebastian and pop folkies Admiral Fallow; and the usual selection of animated goodness.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
This unique event that draws crowds (and performers) from all over the world celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland with massed pipes and drums, massed military bands, display teams, dancers and the haunting lament of the Lone Piper set against the magnificent backcloth of Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle (1.4 miles)
Fri 2 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Sat 3 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Sun 4 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Shaping Things: Artefacts and the 3D Printer
In this workshop led by Chris Speed, you can play at 3D Chinese whispers, adapting objects and artefacts using time-lapse technology until they no longer resemble their original form.
Edinburgh College of Art (1.5 miles)
Fri 30 Aug
£6 / 0131 473 2000
Spotlight On: Amazing Amber
Dr Andrew Ross, the curator of the Amazing Amber exhibition, reveals the nitty gritty about the substance, looking to science, stories and even ways to spot a fake.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (1.0 miles)
Thu 23 May
Sold out / 0300 123 6789
- 14:00
Summer(beer)hall
All things beery, yeasty and delicious are packed into Summerhall for one ale-filled weekend. A pop-up bottle shop, live music, brewery tours and talks run alongside a smorgasboard of Barney's Beer (which is brewed onsite), a number of guest beers and, of course, some obligatory bratwurst and pretzels. Prost!
Summerhall, Edinburgh (1.0 miles)
Fri 24 May
£5–£8 / 0845 874 3000
Sat 25 May
£5–£8 / 0845 874 3000






