Days out, free events
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1,332 events
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
Sat 1 Jun
Times vary / Free
Sun 2 Jun
Times vary / Free
Out of the Blue Flea Market
Bargain buys including furniture, clothes, music and more.
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
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
MIni-Beast Hunt
Bug-spotting fun for all the family. Booking is essential.
The Pineapple, Airth
Tue 21 May
Free / 01786 447504
Part of Scotland's Nature Festival.
- 11:00 – 13:00
Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Tue 21 May
Free / 01786 447504
Part of Scotland's Nature Festival.
- 10:00 – 12:00
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!
Cargo, Edinburgh
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
Home, Glasgow
Mon 27 May
Free / 0141 552 1734
- 21:00 – 00:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 0141 552 1734
- 21:00 – 00:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 0141 552 1734
- 21:00 – 00:00
The Three Sisters, Edinburgh
Tue 21 May
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Tue 4 Jun
Free / 0131 622 6801
- 22:00 – 00:00
Scottish Boat Race
The annual rowing competition (and second oldest in the country) between those old rivals, the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh.
Glasgow Harbour
Sat 25 May
Free / 0141 330 5429
- 12:30 – 14:00
Silver Boxes for Tiny Trinkets
Make a wee silver trinket box and decorate it with embossed silver and coloured stones.
Museum of Edinburgh
Sat 25 May
Free / 0131 529 4143
- 10:30 – 12:30
Sat 31 Aug
Free / 0131 529 4143
- 10:30 – 12:30
Brompton Library, London SW5
Mon 27 May
Free / 0207 3613010
- 14:00 – 14:30
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 0207 3613010
- 14:00 – 14:30
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 0207 3613010
- 14:00 – 14:30
Chelsea Library, London SW3
Thu 23 May
Free / 020 7361 3010
- 11:00 – 11:20
Thu 30 May
Free / 020 7361 3010
- 11:00 – 11:20
Thu 6 Jun
Free / 020 7361 3010
- 11:00 – 11:20
Crawley Library
Fri 24 May
Free / 01293 651751
- 10:00 – 10:30
- 11:00 – 11:30
Mon 27 May
Free / 01293 651751
- 14:00 – 14:30
Fri 31 May
Free / 01293 651751
- 10:00 – 10:30
- 11:00 – 11:30
Also on at:
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
Tue 21 May
John Hope Gateway Centre
Free / 0131 248 2909
- 10:00 – 18:00
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
Storytime
Children can listen to a variety of stories.
Brompton Library, London SW5
Wed 22 May
Free / 0207 3613010
- 10:00 – 10:30
Wed 29 May
Free / 0207 3613010
- 10:00 – 10:30
Wed 5 Jun
Free / 0207 3613010
- 10:00 – 10:30
Central Library, Sheffield
Mon 27 May
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:45 – 12:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:45 – 12:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:45 – 12:00
Clitheroe Library
Thu 23 May
Free / 01200 428788
- 10:00 – 10:30
Sat 25 May
Free / 01200 428788
- 14:00 – 14:30
Sat 1 Jun
Free / 01200 428788
- 14:00 – 14:30
Also on at:
Art Meets Science: Creating the Genome
Come hear the results of a multidisciplinary project between two geneticists, two poets, a design artist and a photographer, initiated by the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum. With Pippa Goldschmidt, Lisa Matthews and Matthias Wienroth in discussion.
Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh
Tue 21 May
Free / 0131 557 2876
- 18:00
The Bruce Festival
Dunfermline, home to the story of Robert the Bruce as well as the legendary king's grave, hosts a weekend of historical activities and re-enactments with a strong family feel.
Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline
Sat 24 Aug
Times to be confirmed / Free / 01383 732226
Sun 25 Aug
Times to be confirmed / Free / 01383 732226
Cannock Chase Military History Weekend
A celebration of the region's military past with hands-on activities for all the family and proceeds going towards Help for Heroes.
Cannock Chase Visitors Centre
Sat 17 Aug
Free (there is a small charge for archery)
- 10:00 – 16:00
Sun 18 Aug
Free (there is a small charge for archery)
- 10:00 – 16:00
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
Wed 12 Jun
Free / 0191 232 7734
- 12:15 – 12:45
Wed 19 Jun
Free / 0191 232 7734
- 12:15 – 12:45
Wed 26 Jun
Free / 0191 232 7734
- 12:15 – 12:45
Wed 3 Jul
Free / 0191 232 7734
- 12:15 – 12:45
Edinburgh Skeptics in the Pub
Regular meet-ups of Edinburgh's most enquiring minds, breaking down doctrine with pints and chat.
The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh
Thu 20 Jun
Thu 18 Jul
Free / 07896 745991
Tonight: Dealing Reasonably with Irrational Fear.
- 19:30 – 22:00
Mono Sunday Social
A weekly event for those who like to do their chillaxing outside of the home. There's papers, a brunch menu, coffee, tea and beer, table football and DJs David Barbarossa and James Pole in the evening to help with your pursuit of Sunday bliss.
Mono, Glasgow
Sun 26 May
Free / 0141 553 2400
- 12:00 – 01:00
Sun 2 Jun
Free / 0141 553 2400
- 12:00 – 01:00
Sun 9 Jun
Free / 0141 553 2400
- 12:00 – 01:00
Mountain Magic
See some mountains without having to climb them, with this guided walk along the Allt na Imrich river. Along the way, you can learn about the history and biodiversity of the area from the knowledgeable local rangers.
Glen Affric National Nature Reserve, Inverness
Sun 21 Jul
Free / 01320 366322
Meet at Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin car park.
- 13:30 – 16:30
Yorkshire Museum
Thu 23 May
Free / 01904 687687
- 11:30 – 14:30
Sat 25 May
Free / 01904 687687
- 11:30 – 14:30
Thu 30 May
Free / 01904 687687
- 11:30 – 14:30
Portobello Market
A wide range of tasty offerings with a conscience from local artisan producers, plus crafts and other goods. Check the website for a full list of the day's stallholders.
Brighton Park, Edinburgh
Sat 1 Jun
Free
- 09:30 – 13:30
Sat 6 Jul
Free
- 09:30 – 13:30
Sat 3 Aug
Free
- 09:30 – 13:30
Pub Quiz
A test of general knowledge.
Errigle Inn, Belfast
Mon 27 May
Free / 028 9064 1410
- 22:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 028 9064 1410
- 22:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 028 9064 1410
- 22:00
The Globe, Hereford
Fri 24 May
Free / 01497 821762
- 19:30 – 21:30
Fri 31 May
Free / 01497 821762
- 19:30 – 21:30
Fri 7 Jun
Free / 01497 821762
- 19:30 – 21:30
The Griffin, Frome
Mon 27 May
Free / 01373 467766
- 20:00
Mon 3 Jun
Free / 01373 467766
- 20:00
Mon 10 Jun
Free / 01373 467766
- 20:00
Also on at:
The Townships of Upper Glen Muick
Explore the abandoned townships and visit lost corn kilns and still houses from over two centuries ago. A rough mountain walk over 8km which requires good fitness and a packed lunch. Booking is essential.
Spittal of Glen Muick Visitor Centre, Ballater
Sun 15 Sep
Free / 01339 755059
- 10:00 – 15:00
World Oceans Week Celebrations
Marine-related activities such as rock-pooling, guided walks, treasure hunts, sea shell identification, sea shell art, and beach cleans to raise awareness of the world’s seas and oceans, based around World Oceans Day on 8 Jun.
Port William Beach
Sun 9 Jun
Times vary / Free / 01387 702362
Rockcliffe Beach, Dalbeattie
Sun 2 Jun
Times vary / Free / 01387 702362
Antiques Roadshow Valuation Day
Fiona Bruce and the BBC's team of experts descend on Scone Palace for this valuation day. Take along your heirlooms and car boot discoveries to see if you have a dusty treasure on your hands.
Scone Palace, Perth
Tue 9 Jul
Free / 01738 552300
- 09:30 – 16:30
Archaeology Day
An annual open day to come along and spend a day with the Historic Scotland Rangers Service in the Iron Age, meet characters from the past and try your hand at skills from the period.
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
Sun 29 Sep
Free / 0131 652 8150
- 11:00
Artmap Argyll Open Studios
Approximately 35 Artmap Argyll artists open their studios to the public for the fifth year running to show off their skills in painting, fused glass, weaving, wood turning, wallpaper design, sculpture, basket and willow weaving, glass engraving, printmaking, stone carving and ceramics.
Various Venues, Argyll and Bute
Fri 23 Aug
Times vary / Free
Sat 24 Aug
Times vary / Free
Sun 25 Aug
Times vary / Free
Mon 26 Aug
Times vary / Free
Baby And Toddler Times
Book session for toddlers with stories, songs and rhymes.
Central Library, Sheffield
Fri 24 May
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:30 – 12:00
Fri 31 May
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:30 – 12:00
Fri 7 Jun
Free / 0114 273 4102
- 10:30 – 12:00
Halstead Library
Thu 23 May
Free / 01787 473431
- 14:15
Mon 27 May
Free / 01787 473431
- 10:30
Thu 30 May
Free / 01787 473431
- 14:15
Shenfield Library, Brentwood
Wed 22 May
Free / 01277 225540
- 10:00 – 10:30
Tue 28 May
Free / 01277 225540
- 10:00 – 10:30
Wed 29 May
Free / 01277 225540
- 10:00 – 10:30
