Seasonal Fun in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a magical city to visit all year round! Whilst we definitely have a peak tourist season, it doesn’t mean that off season isn’t worth travelling through.
There’s always something fun happening in Scotland throughout the year, here are just a few ideas to stir up your imagination for your next visit:
Summer: June - July - August
Neighbourgood Market - Only new to Edinburgh, the neighbourgood market is hosted at Inverleith Park and boasts an array of food vans, drinks, live music, trivia and just general good vibes. It runs from Wed-Sun and is free entry before a certain time, grab your picnic blanket (or snag a chair if you’re lucky!) and spend the day eating and drinking in the sun
Food Festivals - with the days being longer, it means more time to try delicious foods, places such as the Pitt and the Ed Food Fest are great spots to check out local scottish scran and at some events you can even cast your vote for the best street food! A great time to get out, get social and support small business.
The Fringe - if you haven’t heard of the fringe you may be living under a rock 😂 during August the whole city turns into one giant venue to see shows, concerts, performances, readings, literally any performing art you can think of. Small bars turn into venues, dance studios turn into venues, venues turn into venues, EVERYTHING IS A VENUE! The city is extremely busy during this time and shows do book out! So many sure you snap up some dates and book in to see some amazing shows nice and early
The Edinburgh Tattoo - hosted at Edinburgh Castle where the entire carpark turns into a giant stadium, the tattoo runs all through August and brings together audiences from across the globe to celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from throughout the world. Fireworks go off almost every night and it’s truely a spectacular experience.
Enjoy the longer days! - The sun doesn’t set til around 10pm (really!) and it’s a great time to extend your days out. Take a walk up Arthurs Seat, sit in Inverleith Park, take a walk through the meadows, there’s plenty of daylight to soak up the magic of this city.
Autumn: September - October - November
Halloween - Although halloween isn’t as huge a tradition in Scotland as it is in America, you can partake in the Samhain fire parade throughout town, hosted by the Beltane Fire Society. Open to everyone, this fantastic display of fire, dance, music and performance is an epic way to spend your night as the days have begun to darken!
Pumpkin picking - continuing on with the Halloween tradition, why not head to Craigies Farm Shop and go pumpkin picking, then carve those bad boys up when you get home? You’ll need to book a timeslot online (they fill up quick!) Then you get a wheelbarrow and pick to your hearts content!
Farmers markets - There’s a farmers market held on Castle Terrace every Saturday in town or in Stockbridge every Sunday. Buy some seasonal produce and crafts and enjoy a meander through both of these areas, looking at how the colours are changing around town!
Winter: December - January - February
Christmas Markets - every December Princes St gardens gets transformed into the Edinburgh Christmas markets. Time to get yourself some gluwhein, german sausage (I said it) and enjoy the general merriment. You’ll find Edinburgh locals flocking here almost daily! There’s also an ice skating rink on George st and karaoke ski lodges where you can belt Christmas tunes in an intimate setting
Ceilidh - you may need to youtube a Ceilidh before you committ to attending one because they are WILD, but so much fun. Essentially a band sits on stage and plays many a diddle and explains to you how to do a series of dances in a big group. Some dances are partner based, some are in groups of 4 or 6, and in general they’re absolute chaos. They’re sweaty, wild and an absolute BLAST! The perfect activity to get you warmed up over the winter period. You can find ceilidh’s all around town, but check out Summerhall or Pleasance for their next soiree!
Hogmanay - a 3 day festival that takes over the city, including a torch procession, fireworks and a street party on NYE and a loony dook on new years day at queensferry. Most of these activites are ticketed (and you get a discount if you live locally!) due to the pandemic i’m yet to get to any of these fab activities, but 2023 i’m looking at you!
Christmas Lights at the Botanical Gardens - Christmas lights usually stay up until mid January including at the Botanical Gardens. Beautiful displays are set up all throughout the gardens and you can grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine and take your time soaking in the magic through this wonderful space.
Spring: March - April - May
Beltane Fire Festival - in spring the Beltane Fire Society host the Beltane Fire Festival ontop of Calton Hill. Not for the faint hearted, this festival brings in thousands of visitors and locals alike to witness performances, music and of course, fire displays, to welcome in the Spring. It’s a go at your own pace kind of festival where you can follow the main procession around Calton Hill or pop into separate areas to watch a variety of peformances.
Foraging at the Botanical Gardens - the botanical gardens host a foraging class where you can learn how to forage for plants, herbs and foods in your own backyard. With so many people turning their interest to growing their on food and connecting back with nature, this is such a lovely experience for those wanting to get back in touch with earth!
Pickerings Gin Tour - situated at Summerhall, the Pickerings Gin tour is a short and sweet tour with delicious gin (of course) the story of how the pickering brothers started is so fascinating and I love that they started the distillery in an old veterinary school!
I could go on and on for days about the many activities available to you throughout the year in Edinburgh, but I hope this sparks your interest to try some new things or even visit in quieter seasons when there’s less tourists (and things are cheaper!) I’d love to know below what you’ve had the chance to do / see throughout the seasons! I’m always up for new suggestions!
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