Events in Edinburgh on 16 December 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh on the 16 December 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market
Meet the artists, support local businesses and find extraordinary and unique items this Christmas at the 3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market in St Johns Episcopal Church!
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A Trail of Burke & Hare
Follow a tale from Edinburgh's fascinating history as you journey through the very sites and locations where it all took place on outdoor escape room, A Trail of Burke & Hare!
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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.
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Almost Impossible 2.0: Martin Brock
Martin Brock is back at the Fringe with an electrifying, one-of-a-kind spectacle of slick, mind-bending magic, laugh-out-loud comedy, cutting-edge video production and astonishing illusions!
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Arthur’s Secrets
Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur's Seat's turbulent past, created by fire and ice!
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BetVictor Scottish Open Snooker
Snooker’s elite will return to the Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh in December for the BetVictor Scottish Open.
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Beyond Monet & Beyond Van Gogh
Step into a world of light, colour, and imagination with Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience at the Royal Highland Centre this Christmas!
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Blast 5km Series @ The Meadows 2025
Join Blast Running in the heart of Edinburgh for the Monthly Blast 5K Series at The Meadows – a lively lunchtime race that’s become a firm favourite on the city’s running calendar.
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Cards for Good Causes
The pop up shop for Cards for Good Causes, the U.K.’s largest charity Christmas card retailer, once again returns to St John's Episcopal Church, Princes Street.
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Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
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Castle Street Christmas Market
Castle Street Christmas Market returns in 2025, providing everyone with something special to buy and enjoy.
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Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!
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Christmas at The Chocolatarium
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with indulgent, chocolate-filled fun and hands-on festive chocolate making at The Chocolatarium!
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Christmas Market and Open Days
Edinburgh Printmakers will be opening the doors of our historic building Castle Mills to welcome you to a fun-filled weekend of activities, workshops, and our bespoke Christmas Market!
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Cinderella: A Fairytale
Coming to the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh Christmas 2025, the story we all love that has captivated audiences around the UK: Cinderella!
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Cold War Scotland
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
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Conifox Christmas Experience
Conifox Christmas Experience is back for it’s 8th year, with so much more than just Santa's Grotto!
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Conservation Hangar Talks
See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.
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Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt
Looking to entertain the kids? Come and spot our cuddly corgis hiding around Britannia’s tour route.
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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!
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Dancing Shoes
After a raucous run in the Spring, Dancing Shoes returns to the Traverse in December with even more heart, humour and high-energy moves.
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Dear Library
To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.
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Discover the Joy of Reading in Japanese – Join Our Book Club!
Are you passionate about Japanese but find it difficult to enjoy the learning process? Then join our Japanese Book Club, led by Edinburgh-based native tutor Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior!
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Dog Training in Edinburgh
Dogs Trust Dog School Edinburgh offer training classes for dogs at all stages of their lives, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
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Drawing the Italian Renaissance
This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, brings together a wide range of drawings from this revolutionary artistic period, including 45 drawings never exhibited in Scotland before.
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Eat, Drink, Be Merry - Private Festive Party Night
Celebrate the season in style with an unforgettable night of festive fun at Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh!
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Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs
Join Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs with Live Band & Caller, held in the Royal British Legion Hall! If you love to dance or want to learn this event is for you.
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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!
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Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns
Edinburgh Zoo's award-winning Giant Lanterns event is back this winter, for the first time in six years, with a never-before-seen theme, featuring all things aquatic!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Around the World Starflyer
Try it if you dare! The Starflyer is back at Edinburgh's Christmas giving the finest, and most thrilling, views of the stunning city centre skyline!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Christmas Market
One of the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe, Edinburgh's Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens showcasing the best in artisan festive products and goods from local makers!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Ice Skating
Get your skates on and glide all the way up and down Edinburgh’s famous George Street on the magnificent alpine ice rink!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: LNER Big Wheel
The LNER Big Wheel returns to East Princes Street Gardens to give passengers a unique perspective of our spectacular city!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Santa’s Stories
Santa is back at Edinburgh's Christmas this year! Make your little one's day and bring them along to our Santa Experience in St Andrew's Square!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
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Escape the Past: The Anatomist
Descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you embark on a thrilling adventure into Edinburgh’s dark past.
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Escape the Past: The Deacon’s Cabinet
From Escape The Past comes a new escape room 'The Deacon’s Cabinet', a historical heist escape room which challenges you to outsmart the infamous Deacon Brodie!
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Festive Family Films
Big-screen favourites return to Dynamic Earth, including The Polar Express, The Grinch, Home Alone and Elf, shown on selected weekends and daily in the run-up to Christmas.
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Five Sisters Zoo Christmas Illuminations
By popular demand, Five Sisters Zoo's Christmas Illuminations are back this winter with a mesmerizing display of colour and light!
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Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction
From heroin to gambling, from alcohol to love, explore the history of addiction at Hooked, an exhibition at the Physicians' Gallery.
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IKEA: Magical Patterns
IKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition comes to Dovecot Studios, celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design.
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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.
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Kids Japanese After School Club Ages 7-12: Language, Crafts & Culture
Led by Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior, this Kids Japanese After School Club transforms screen-based self-study into real-world interactive learning with crafts, games, and cultural fun.
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Lanterns Grotto
Make your little one's evening at Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns extra special this festive season and meet Santa Claus at our Christmas Grotto, which will be inside our Budongo Trail building!
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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.
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MAMMA MIA!
Don't miss MAMMA MIA! at the Edinburgh Playhouse from December 2025! Enjoy the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical.
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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.
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Méabh Breathnach
In Bodies of Work (in progress), Méabh Breathnach uses ceramics, metal and the body as materials, tools, and sources of inspiration in the creation of both sculptural and functional objects.
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Michael Fullerton
A major exhibition by Glasgow-born artist Michael Fullerton comes to the City Arts Centre!
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Ocean Terminal Christmas Market
Ocean Terminal Christmas Market is the place to be for a magical indoor shopping experience.
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Panorama: New Views of a City
Collective Edinburgh's Panorama programme takes inspiration from the origins of the panorama to explore how we see, move through and understand the city today.
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Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
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Party Nights
Enjoy a night to remember at Novotel Edinburgh Park's Party Nights with a festive three course dinner and music to get you up and dancing!
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Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry
Dovecot is delighted to welcome a wonderful variety of artists to show their work in The British Tapestry Group’s celebration of its 20th anniversary.
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Recitals for Wrigglers
This Christmas, join Recitals for Wrigglers in the Great Gallery of the Palace of Holyroodhouse for a festive concert specially created for babies and toddlers.
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Reconfigure Life Drawing at Summerhall
Reconfigure welcomes all ages and all abilities, in an atmosphere of warmth and creativity, at these Life Drawing classes in Summerhall's iconic Anatomy Lecture Theatre.
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Resistance
Resistance explores how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK, and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change.
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Royal Mile International Piano Series
Set against the magnificent backdrop of St Giles’ Cathedral — illuminated by candlelight - these concerts promise an unforgettable musical experience!
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Rugby for Beginners
Corstorphine Cougars are running free beginners classes every Tuesday for Females of all ages who would like to try Rugby!
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Santa Paws at Dobbies Edinburgh
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Edinburgh!
READ MORESanta Paws at Dobbies Livingston
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Livingston!
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Santa’s Grotto
This winter, discover the magic of Santa’s Grotto at Dynamic Earth! Meet Santa, then settle in for a storytelling session.
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Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Edinburgh
Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Edinburgh, and this year it's even more magical!
READ MORESanta’s Grotto at Dobbies Livingston
Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Livingston, and this year it's even more magical!
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Kevock Garden
This wonderful hillside garden has magnificent views over the North Esk Valley with a wide diversity of plants and has featured in many magazine articles and gardening programmes.
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Shen Xin: Highland Embassy
Highland Embassy brings together three projects by artist and filmmaker Shen Xin and is showing at Collective Edinburgh from October to December 2025.
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Showtime @ The Comedy Attic
Join us for Showtime at The Comedy Attic every Friday and Saturday for the best comedy this glorious city of Edinburgh has to offer!
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Sinbad the Sailor
Edinburgh People's Theatre presents Sinbad the Sailor, a Traditional Pantomime by Alan P Frayn, at Church Hill Theatre this December!
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Snow White
Mirror Mirror on the wall, what is the greatest panto of all? Join us deep in the forest this Christmas as the Reconnect Regal Theatre presents ‘Snow White’!
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Spandex Comedy
Don't miss out on Spandex Comedy! Join us every Tuesday night for a top night of laughs featuring stand up comedians from across the country dropping in to liven up the start of your week!
READ MORESpeak Japanese with Confidence – Join Our Japanese Chat Club!
Looking to practise speaking Japanese in a relaxed and supportive environment? Then join our Japanese Chat Club, led by Edinburgh-based native tutor Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior!
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Sundown Adventures
For the very first time Go Ape's popular Sundown Adventures will be available at Dalkeith Country Park between 28th November and 30th December.
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Tang Soo Do
Come and try out the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do at Gracemount Leisure Centre on Wednesdays & Saturdays!
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The Cookbook Shop Festive Pop-up
The Cookbook Shop is a new, independent culinary bookshop coming to Edinburgh in 2026. Before we open, we'd like to welcome you to our festive pop-up event at Curioso on Leith Walk.
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The Spirit of Christmas - A New Beginning
The Usher Hall will once again glow with festive spirit as the creative powerhouse behind "A Christmas Wish" proudly presents "The Spirit of Christmas - A New Beginning!
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The Winter Village at Fort Kinnaird
This Christmas, Fort Kinnaird will be transformed into a festive wonderland filled with seasonal street food, artisan gifts, fairground rides and spectacular circus shows for all to enjoy.
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The Wizard of Oz - Panto 2025
Join us over the rainbow this Christmas as Reconnect Reconnect Howden Park presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’!
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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.
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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!
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Winter Family Trail
Free this Winter at St Cecilia's Hall, can you find all 8 snow-people hidden around the galleries and answer each of their questions?
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WinterFest
Step into the magic of WinterFest and soak up the Christmas spirit at Dalkeith Country Park!
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You Mean the World Exhibition
This exhibition explores the history of air pollution and of recycling and re-use in nursing and shows how talented nursing teams are taking climate action today.
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Events in East Renfrewshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On East Renfrewshire:
Monteiths Bar Quiz Night
Join Monteiths Bar for their weekly Tuesday quiz night hosted by the fun and charismatic Chris Wainwright!
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Hands On Heritage
Every month the team at East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure's Heritage Collection will select some of their most interesting treasures and share the stories behind them at Hands On Heritage!
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Mearns Kirk Helping Hands: Blether and a Brew
Join Mearns Kirk Helping Hands every other Tuesday for 'Blether and a Brew' featuring plenty of tea, coffee, sweet treats and good company!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Aladdin
Join Aladdin and his wonderfully daft family, the McSwankeys, as they set off on a bonkers Highland adventure in this Scottish take on the classic tale at The Byre Theatre St Andrews!
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From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity
Join us at Wardlaw Museum for this exhibition and uncover Scotland’s identity through the creativity of its artists!
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Dreel Crafters
Dreel Crafters is a chance to grab a cuppa with some friendly faces and have a 'craft and a natter' with a bunch of beginners and more-experienced makers!
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Historic Tours of Glasgow University
Join a historic walking tour of the University of Glasgow the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world!
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Rae-Yen Song Solo Exhibition
Tramway presents the most ambitious solo exhibition to date of Glasgow based artist Rae-Yen Song, as they transform Tramway's vast gallery space into a sub-aquatic world!
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Art Factory
Art Factory is a weekly group for adults who enjoy drawing, painting and getting creative. Sessions take place in The Den, a relaxed and informal space at The Bridge.
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Jack and the Beanstalk
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture SCIO and New College Lanarkshire proudly present Jack and the Beanstalk at Rutherglen Town Hall this festive season!
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Disco Buddies ASN Disco
Disco Buddies host their ASN Disco every Tuesday at Westwood Parish Church in East Kilbride, it's a fun and safe environment to socialise with peers while enjoying a dance, bingo and raffles!
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An Audience with Charlie Lawson
Exciting news for Coronation Street fans! Charlie Lawson the star actor that played Jim McDonald is bringing his brand new show to Cumbernauld New Town Hall on Tuesday 16th December!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Micro Layouts Model Railway Show
Join Renfrewshire Model Railway Club, Cupar Model Railway Club and Leven Valley Trains for the Micro Layouts Model Railway Show on Saturday 22nd March!
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Boyle School of Irish Dance New Class
Is your little one ready to jump, hop, and dance their way into the wonderful world of Irish dancing? Join Boyle School of Irish Dance for their new classes in Paisley, beginning on 20th October!
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Adult Art Classes
Come along to these welcoming weekly Adult Art Classes led by professional artists to learn new skills or develop existing ones!
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
A Blair Drummond Christmas
From the 29th of November to the 23rd of December, enjoy a full safari day out with all the animals you love – plus a sprinkle of festive magic at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park!
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: The Japanese Garden at Cowden
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Christmas on the Farm
Join us for a Magical Adventure at Christmas as Santa and his elves return to Briarlands Farm again this year!
READ MOREEvents in Other Areas
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