Events in Edinburgh on Thursday 9th April 2026

Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer

Take to the skies and discover the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer at the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait.

Anke Roder: Atmosphere

Anke Roker returns to &Gallery this April for her second solo exhibition, Atmosphere, where she explores the horizon as a place of light, silence, and reflection!

ARTIST ROOMS

Discover three of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh.

Astronaut Training

Calling all budding astronauts! Come and join us at Dynamic Earth for a session that will get you ready to head to space!

Banknote Bonanza: Spring Holiday Fun

Join Museum on the Mound for fun, free, family-friendly activities throughout the Spring holidays where you can explore the family trails and discover the secret world of banknotes!

Board Game Fika

Dive into an array of board games this Easter at IKEA Edinburgh and enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter, bonding and unforgettable memories!

Botanics Easter Trail

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Easter trail returns for 2026, hop along to the John Hope Gateway, pick up a booklet and help Botanics Bunny search for the perfect decoration for their bonnet!

Building Scotland: Turning Conversations into Action

Join James Varga and Laura Bernal Vergara and help shape a brilliant, shared vision for the future of Scotland's tech ecosystem... don't miss this chance to define our 'why'!

Cracking New Jokes Show

Watch professional comedians try new material for less than the price of an Edinburgh drink every Thursday at Dragonfly Cocktail Bar!

Creature Connections

Join the Edinburgh Zoo expert animal experiences team for an exclusive engaging and fun animal antics show and have the chance to join in the action yourself! !

Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!

Have fun discovering Edinburgh on this award-winning, quirky, self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!

Dear Library

To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.

Doghouse x Rusty Seagull Pop Up

New Portobello pub The Rusty Seagull has teamed up with another local Portobello business The Doghouse to front its latest street food pop-up!

Drawing in the Spring

Join Drill Hall resident artist Felicity Inkpen for a series of six drawing workshops exploring your creative side this Spring!

Drift

Drift is a dance piece that explores the state of our oceans today, focusing on the impact of overfishing.

Easter Bunny Flower Trail

Hop along to IKEA Edinburgh this April for their Easter Flower Trail and help the Easter Bunny fill his bouquet basket while collecting the missing letters along the way for a chance to win a prize!

Easter Camp For Fledglings And For Juniors

Join All or Nothing at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall this April for some amazing aerial fun in the Easter holidays!

Easter Egg-Splorer Trail

Hop along to Edinburgh Zoo this April for a cracking family Easter trail, where you can explore the park, find the hidden eggs, and bag a brilliant prize!

Easter Eggstravaganza

Almond Valley's much-loved Mad Hatter's Tea Party returns for 2026 and yes, the legendary Duck Race is back too... can you hear the excitement building!

Easter Fun at Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Designer Outlet is inviting families to enjoy a programme of Easter-themed activities during the school holiday including seasonal entertainment, creative workshops and a fun-filled trail!

Edinburgh Nuclear Bunker Tour

Don't miss an amazing opportunity to see part of Scotland's Cold War History on the Barnton Nuclear Bunker Tours every Saturday and Sunday!

Edinburgh Old Town Guided Walking Tour

Discover the heart of Scotland's capital, beyond the reach of tour buses and guidebooks on this guided walking tour of Edinburgh's Old Town!

Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs

Join Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs with Live Band & Caller, held in the Royal British Legion Hall! Great informal fun night suitable for all ages (10yrs+).

Edinburgh Science Festival

Exploring the theme Going Global, Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 will showcase the research and innovation created through international partnerships that address shared challenges!

Edinburgh Science Festival: Spring Explorers

Join Edinburgh Zoo's Discovery and Learning team in an active and engaging three hour session that aims to deepen nature connections for younger audiences!

Edinburgh Tradfest: Exhibition - Highland Story Quilt

Don't miss this unique exhibition at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as artist Lizzie McDougall breathes new life into Highland stories using scraps of discarded fabric!

Egg Quest

The Centre, Livingston is hosting a fun and interactive digital Easter Egg Hunt throughout the centre during the school holidays with the chance to win a prize from one of their fantastic brands!

Egg-cellent Easter Trail at Camera Obscura

Hop along this Easter with the whole family and enjoy a fun-packed visit at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions... you would be hopping-mad to miss out!

Eric Cruikshank: Space for Your Words

Leith School of Art are delighted to announce the opening of their new show, Space for Your Words - a solo exhibition of work by Eric Cruikshank!

Fleeting Glimpses

Fleeting Glimpses at The Atelier Gallery brings together long-time gallery favourites Stanley Bird, Lesley Skeates, and Gillian Henshaw alongside Gillian Westland and Lindsay Turk.

Flying High

Learn about the Scottish engineering inventions that made international travel possible through fun family activities at the National Museum of Flight Scotland, part of Edinburgh Science Festival!

George Watson’s College Art Camp: The Art of Nature - P4 - P5

Join award winning illustrator, author, and designer Kate McLelland at George Watson's College for a special Easter Art Camp where kids will learn new techniques to create beautiful arts and crafts!

George Watson’s College Drama Camp - P5 to S2

George Watson's College's Easter Drama Camp for P5 – S2 pupils is a fun, creative week designed to build confidence and performance skills through hands-on drama activities.

Getting Bogged Down

Get your hands dirty with University of Edinburgh scientists researching the weird, wonderful and vital ecosystems of Peatbogs!

Giants

Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils of giant prehistoric animals when the immersive, family friendly exhibition Giants comes to the National Museum of Scotland!

Hays Community Education Courses (Free and accredited)

Hays Community Hub is excited to launch a brand-new learning opportunity designed to support you every step of the way.

Hays Community Hub Volunteer drop in

Interested in volunteering? Them come along to Hays Community Hub Volunteer drop in day on Thursday 20th November - we’d love to welcome you to the team!

Hop aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia this Easter

Hop aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia for an egg-cellent day out during the Easter Holidays and experience the UK's No.1 Attraction for yourself!

Hutton in Edinburgh

Step into the 1700s and walk through Edinburgh's landscape with philosopher James Hutton and his famous Scottish Enlightenment companions, exploring Hutton's theory of a dynamic Earth.

Incontri: A Scots-Italian Photographic Archive

Join the Italian Institute of Culture for a glimpse into the rich and diverse narratives of Italians in Scotland with a curated collection of photographs and images!

Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting

Step inside the mind and brush strokes of much-loved Scottish artist Joan Eardley with a fresh insight into her powerful and expressive paintings in a new exhibition at National Galleries of Scotland!

Jubilate Children’s Choir

Jubilate is St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral's new junior choir, held every Friday during term time in the Song School on the Cathedral grounds.

Jurassic Juniors Storytelling

Join us at Dynamic Earth for a 'roarsome' storytelling session suitable for children under 6 years!

Kids Sewing Workshop

Join Remode Collective for this hands-on Kids Sewing Workshop which focuses on practical sewing techniques that kids can use right away to repair, create, and customise their own items!

Kids’ Japanese Holiday Camp

Looking for a holiday activity that offers more than the usual? Then join Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior for a beginner-friendly Japanese language, crafts, and hands-on Japanese holiday camp!

Landlines: New Edinburgh Exhibition from Contemporary Scottish Artist Andy Cross

A new exhibition of work by acclaimed contemporary Scottish artist Andy Cross showcasing the artist's distinctive handling of line and colour comes to Morningside Gallery this spring!

Live Music at The Botanist

The Botanist hosts live music from Thursday to Sunday every week! From acoustic singles, duos, trios and full band, we have it all.

Maps: Memories from the Second World War

Through personal stories, photography and memorabilia, this exhibition at the National War Museum charts the creation and use of maps during the Second World War.

Mc Hammersmith - Hippity Hoppity Get Off My Property

Featuring brand-new routines! You'll leave astounded at the speed of MC Hammersmith's brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing.

One Day. One Play. One Prompt.

Are you a musician, actor, dancer, comedian, magician, or any kind of creative performer? Join our AI-powered workshop and help create a brand-new show from concept to curtain call in just one day!

Paper Flowers

Join the Royal Collection Trust at the Palace of Holyroodhouse this spring and have a go at making paper flowers and create a colourful bouquet to take home!

Planetarium Lates: Jurassic Park

Join Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler on this classic adventure as they come face-to-face with the prehistoric creatures of Jurassic Park!

Planetarium Lates: Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' planetarium experience is back as part of Edinburgh Science Festival, it truly is a unique way to experience this iconic album!

Prison Nursing Unlocked: A History Of Care And Justice

Experience the inspiring evolution of prison nursing at this RCN exhibition, learning about the work of early reformers like Elizabeth Fry and the vital care nurses provide for prisoner health today!

Race Across The World: The Experience - Edinburgh

Race Across The World: The Experience is here... pass legendary landmarks and bonnie backstreets as you race through Edinburgh's streets and solve physical puzzles across 3 sensational checkpoints!

RCS presents : Alexander Krylov in concert

For the Baroque Music Festival 2026, Alexander Krylov will present a solo programme of works including Bach, Scarlatti and Couperin.

Royal Mile International Piano Series

Set against the magnificent backdrop of St Giles’ Cathedral — illuminated by candlelight - these concerts promise an unforgettable musical experience!

Rugby for Beginners

Corstorphine Cougars are running free beginners classes every Tuesday for Females of all ages who would like to try Rugby!

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: A Blackbird Sings

This long garden in a corner site of Glassel Park Estate, reflects East Lothian habitats including moorland, grassland and woodland, and also areas of related plant varieties.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Hunter’s Tryst

Hunter’s Tryst is a well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized, wildlife-friendly garden that has been transformed from a wilderness 40 years ago and continues to evolve.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Redcroft

An attractive Arts and Crafts house, Redcroft is a mature walled garden with a variety of different features and habitats.

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Shepherd House

Visit Shepherd House, a constantly evolving artist’s garden that never stands still, with lots of surprises, including a shell house built in 2014, rose parterres, a rill and fountains!

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Stobshiel House

The garden at Stobshiel House is effectively split into four main parts and the extensive collection of shrubs and mature trees offer a fantastic backdrop during all seasons.

Splat! Kids Art Classes

Bring the kids along to Splat Edinburgh this Easter and unleash their creativity in in a safe, nurturing environment!

Spotlight Talk: Herbology

Join this free introduction to Herbology at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, in which one of the knowledgeable Botanics’ volunteers shines a light on their favourite aspect of this exhibition.

TBC Improv UK’s Monthly Open Improv Jam

TBC invites you to a monthly improv drop-in jam. It's a fun inclusive event where absolutely all are welcome, no improv experience required.

The Biba Story: 1964–1975

The Biba Story explores how fashion phenomenon Biba blossomed to become the world’s first lifestyle label, sparking a revolution in how people shopped.

The Future of Livestock Farming

From avian flu-resistant chickens to livestock resilient to climate change, gene editing offers a more precise way to build on centuries of traditional breeding.

The High Life

After a 30-year delay in the departure lounge, The High Life returns with a new musical spectacular to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh featuring all four original cast members!

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

The Rock Orchestra returns to Edinburgh Playhouse with an epic, new 90-minute concert, infusing iconic Rock & Metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy!

The Thursday Show

The weekend starts here! Catch five acts on a two hour stand-up showcase at The Stand Edinburgh on selected Thursdays through the year!

Unlocking the HES Archives

Unlocking the HES Archives is an exhibition celebrating the achievements of the Move Ready Project while also including images of favourite items as selected by archive staff.

Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture

Featuring examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography, the exhibition at City Art Centre spans almost 400 years of artistic production.

Vibrant Viki’s Messy Art Club

Vibrant Viki’s Messy Art Club is a lively, hands-on creative experience designed especially for children under five who love to explore, play, and get wonderfully messy.

Visit the SS Explorer

The SS Explorer remains as the UK's very last steam sidewinder trawler and is also the last ship to be registered in Leith. Come along for a guided tour of the laboratories, cabins, and wheelhouse!

We Are The Witches. We Are, Hear

This is an exhibition of textile artwork by 70 wise women artist using their craft to Challenge, Disturb and Disrupt. Catch it at The House of Smalls in August!

What’s Up: AI and The Sky

In this presenter-led Planetarium show, the team at Dynamic Earth will be diving into some of the ways AI is being used to help understand the cosmos.

Enjoy a cinema screening of MUSIK at Eastwood House on Thursday 9th April where Frances Barber stars as Billie Trix in this bold and hilarious one-woman odyssey through the 20th and 21st Centuries!

The Avenue Shopping Centre have three days full of Easter fun planned between Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th April!

PRIME Football Coaching look forward to hosting two week-long football camp during the Easter holidays to keep your players active, healthy, socialising and entertained!

Don't miss Why Not? Musical Theatre Company's production of '9 to 5 The Musical' at Carnegie Hall in April!

Whether you're a superfan or just looking for a great night out, 'Auld Pals - Stars of Still Game' at the Alhambra Theatre is not to be missed!

St Andrews Heritage Museum & Garden are hosting holiday activities for all ages to enjoy including an Easter Trail, Fruit & Veg Block Printing and Storytelling & Badge Making!

With wonderful musicals, hilarious comedies and revealing dramas, there is something for everyone to tuck into at A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Oran Mor Glasgow - alongside pies and pints of course!

Roll Up, Roll Up! The Big Kid Circus is in town for the Easter Holidays with their brand new show JURASSIC! Catch them at Glasgow Fort between Wednesday 1st and Sunday 12th April!

This Easter, Glasgow Science Centre have got an egg-stravaganza of hands-on building challenges, egg-citing science activities and even a hare-raising trail to enjoy!

On what promises to be an entertaining night, Gordon Strachan will be discussing his remarkable career and life at Airdrie Working Mens Social Club on Thursday 9th & Friday 10th April!

Phil Differ brings his new play Celtic Da's, starring Raymond Mearns and Bruce Morton, to East Kilbride Village Theatre on Thursday 9 April!

Findlay Napier is widely regarded as one of the finest performers on the UK music scene, don't miss him live at Lanternhouse when he returns to Cumbernauld Folk Club on Thursday 9th April!

This spring, Kelburn Castle invites you to explore the forest, rebuild the story, and draw the sword in a magical, self-led adventure inspired by the legendary tale of King Arthur!

ACCORD Hospice's Annual Art Exhibition returns - bigger and better than ever before - bringing together the best local and national artists to celebrate all forms of art and creativity!

Zyair Circus is coming to GRID, packed with fearless acrobats, jaw dropping stunts and non stop thrills for the whole family, this is edge of your seat entertainment you won't want to miss!

Inflatable Fun City returns with a brand new location... Barnhill Farm! Bounce, slide, and play all day in an exciting new space made for maximum fun!

Luke Combs UK, the world's leading tribute act to country mega star Luke Combs, has announced a show at The Albert Halls Stirling on Thursday 9th April.

Head to the Tolbooth Stirling on Thursday 9th April and enjoy being whipped into a frenzy as one of the greatest fiddle players of his generation, Ross Couper, and his band come to town!

Sea Dragon is the perfect underwater adventure the whole family will enjoy, featuring handcrafted puppets and original songs, ideal for babies and preschool children!