Days out within 5 miles of Edinburgh

Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, who do outreach for homeless and vulnerably housed people, presents this indoor learning market in honour of Adults Learners' Week. There'll be hands-on learning activities, t-shirt printing and card making, along with a number of stalls with more information about Crisis' courses.

Garden opening.

A life drawing workshop with a difference: they're selling beer too. A relaxing way to unwind and exercise your creativity at the same time. (Warning: alcohol consumption can damage your rendering of the human figure.) Spaces are limited. Booking is essential.

Get a greenery fix before work or school with an early morning breakfast of local food and environmental ideas. Gardening and foraging experts are on hand with advice for making the most of plant life in the city, focusing on organic and sustainable growing techniques.

A drop-in session on the seasonal aspects of edible gardening, with activities, produce tasters and a chance to get advice from the team.

A multi-sports festival featuring – you guessed it – seven sports. Those'd be rugby, touch, netball, hockey, football, volleyball and dodgeball, with a touch of music and fancy dress to top it all off. Watch from the stands or get out on the playing field(s).

The Edinburgh Book Fringe takes place in Word Power Books and brings together writers and activists from around the world for a host of daily events of readings and discussions, all of which are free.

A large array of local and international burlesque entertainers are shipped to Edinburgh to do their sultry and cheeky thing. Performers include America's Moana Santana and Go-Go Gadget and Glasgow's own Cat Aclysmic and Vendetta Vain.

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.

The largest arts festival in the world and the greatest show on earth. Every year thousands of performers take to a multitude of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and…

An exceptionally scenic half-marathon route, starting at the city's Meadowbank Stadium and finishing up at the Racecourse out at Musselburgh. As always, there are a range of charities you can run for, with varying registration fees and minimum sponsorship commitments.

Bringing world-class arts to the capital since 1947, the EIF sets the standard for classical concerts, opera, dance and theatre, with performers drawn from around the world. Among this year's many highlights, curated on a theme of art and technology, are Scottish Ballet's Dance Odysseys, Beethoven's Fidelio rocketed into…

If you're going to break yourself by running further and faster than the human body was made to go, you may as well do it somewhere picturesque – and Edinburgh is certainly that (if a little windy at times). Participants run for a variety of charities.

World music, dance, fashion, food and fun spread over four areas: the Main Music Stage, the Mela World Dance Feste (newly established in 2012), the Mela Mix stage and the Kids Mela. The Mela Global Food Village is on hand to replenish your energy after taking in all the sights and sounds.

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.

Criss-cross your way across the city as an individual rider or as part of a team, and check out the sites of the city all bathed in glorious moonlight. It's a 50-mile course, starting at Holyrood Palace, heading out to Musselburgh, and looping back to Holyrood via the Royal Mile. Ride for the charity of your choice.

Join up with other folks interested in the mystical art of tarot at this monthly group, and share tips and tricks while you practice doing readings for other members.