9 unmissable events happening in Edinburgh and Glasgow this July

• The List
• 27 June 2019

Kelburn Garden Party / credit: Chris Werrett

Including Doune the Rabbit Hole, James Acaster and Wee Hansel & Gretel

Doune the Rabbit Hole

Doune the Rabbit Hole is not just one of the most exciting music festivals in Scotland but, let's face it, clearly the one with the best name. There are almost too many highlights to squeeze in here, but we'll give it a go: The Damned, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Skerryvore, John Grant, Asian Dub Foundation, C Duncan, Gwenno, The Wailers, John Cooper Clarke, Sister Sledge, Hawkwind, Kathryn Joseph and Shonen Knife all make for an evidently diverse weekend. And that really is just for starters. Get on Doune.
Cardross Estate, Port of Menteith, Fri 19–Sun 21 Jul.

Kelburn Garden Party

Dubbed as 'a festival like no other', there's music, and adventure less than an hour from Glasgow, with this year's Kelburn featuring the likes of Brass Gumbo, Heir of the Cursed, The Poozies and an Optimo takeover.
Kelburn Castle, Largs, Fri 5–Mon 8 Jul.

James Acaster

The acclaimed Kettering comic is dissecting both a good year and a bad year in his life for his latest semi-surreal banterings, this time entitled Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999. Don't pretend you're not intrigued.
O2 Academy, Glasgow, Sat 20 Jul.

Wee Hansel & Gretel

Scottish Ballet has taken a little bit off the edges to make this potentially too-scary story palatable for very young ones. Dancing treats and toys that come to life will certainly go down well with the intended audience.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Sat 13 & Sun 14 Jul.

Stranger Things

Beloved by young folks and the grown-ups who let them have their Netflix log-in, the 80s-shaped sci-fi show reaches season three with the adorable gang now entering their teenage years. A rollercoaster ride is promised once again.
Netflix from Thu 4 Jul.

Self Evidence

Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe and Francesca Woodman are all explored through the power of their own lens with this exhibition of ground-breaking and sometimes controversial photographic art.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, until Sun 20 Oct.

Bard in the Botanics

There really is nothing in the theatre world quite like a bit of summer Shakespeare in the glorious outdoors. This time around, Henry V, Richard III, Hamlet and As You Like It get the botanical treatment.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Wed 26 Jun–Sat 3 Aug.

TRNSMT

The event which has sort-of aimed to take over from T in the Park has some nifty stuff going on in its line-up, with Richard Ashcroft, Stormzy, Gerry Cinnamon, Example, Kobi Onyame, Steve Mason, George Ezra and Jess Glynne all gracing Glasgow Green.
Glasgow Green, Fri 12–Sun 14 Jul.

International Nuclear Physics Conference

(Chosen by comedian Chris Forbes)
Whether you're genuinely interested in furthering your understanding of how the universe works, or you're just looking for something to say that will make your friends think your super intelligent, then the 27th International Nuclear Physics Conference is for you! Held every three years, this is the biggest event of its kind. After conferences in Adelaide, Florence and Vancouver, INPC 2019 comes to Glasgow and will cover a whole range of topics, from the study of hadrons to the heaviest nuclei. What fun! This is not just for physics geeks by the way. I know virtually nothing about nuclear physics but I'm obsessed with listening to incredibly smart people trying to explain what life is all about. It's the same reason I enjoy watching University Challenge. I never understand the answers (or questions!) but I know whatever they're on about is mighty impressive.
Chris Forbes: Prophecy, The Stand, Sun 30 Jun; The Stand, Glasgow, Sun 7 Jul; International Nuclear Physics Conference, SEC, Glasgow, Mon 29 Jul–Fri 2 Aug.