Events in Edinburgh on 21 August 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh on the 21 August 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
(whalesong)
(whalesong), at BrewDog DogHouse, is a sound play about the noises and voices in the oceans, created and performed by award-winning sound artist and technologist Xavier Velastín.
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A Colourful Palette
The Snug at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh will be showcasing Gillian Henshaw’s delightfully colourful and joyful paintings until 31st August. All paintings are available to purchase.
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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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AI MOZART: ChatGPT composed this concert
Moonlight Concerts return to the Edinburgh Fringe with a technological breakthrough in musical composition!
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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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Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years
This summer, the largest ever indoor exhibition by Andy Goldsworthy will take over the National Galleries of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh.
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Antigone: Vive le Fringe! 2025
After a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, Mythography return with their urgent and haunting production of Jean Anouilh’s Antigone!
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ArtSpace in the City Art Centre
Come and have fun in our family area in the Lower Ground Floor at the City Art Centre!
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Baby Wants Candy
One of the world’s most celebrated improv shows EVER heads back to the Fringe for its 19th year with a brand new and as-yet unknown run of original, hilarious, and unpredictable one-off musicals!
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Because You Never Asked
Returning to the Fringe from Montréal acclaimed company, We All Fall Down Interdisciplinary Creations, presents Because You Never Asked in the intimate surroundings of Summerhall’s Main Hall.
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Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show (2025 Edition)
69 sketches in an hour! The UK's fastest sketch show returns to the Fringe for its sixth year, featuring new sketches for 2025!
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Cash and Diamond: Tribute Show
Indulge in the ultimate musical celebration of Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond as award-winning Pete Storm and Pete Sinclair come together to craft an extraordinary tribute show as part of the Fringe!
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Chunky Jewellery
Using words, dance and song these two uncompromising performers offer us an alternative love story... don't miss Chunky Jewellery at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
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Closes & Coffee
Step into a story steeped in centuries with Closes & Coffee, an exclusive immersive experience from The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close.
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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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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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Couplet Presents Honey Honey Moon Moon
Marnina and Micah just got married, and except for some bed bugs, a judgy couples therapist and their wedding venue burning down, everything was pitch perfect.
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Crafternoons
Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Then come along to the Scottish Parliament for FREE arts and crafts sessions every day (except Sundays)!
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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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Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight - Clair de Lune
Open your heart and ears to love as award-winning concert pianist Matthew Shiel exposes the scandalous love affairs of the great composers at St Vincent's Chapel this August!
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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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Edinburgh Art Festival
The Edinburgh Art Festival, the UK's largest festival of visual arts, returns to the capital from August 7th to 24th.
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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 Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe returns from 30th July to 25th August 2025 with artists and performers taking to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste.
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Edinburgh International Book Festival
The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 9th to Sunday 24th August with the Theme 'Repair'.
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Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 1st to 24th August 2025 with live performance throughout the city.
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Edinburgh International Festival: As You Like It A Radical Retelling
Encounter Cliff Cardinal's radical reimagining of Shakespeare's classic in this unapologetic production at Church Hill Theatre!
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Edinburgh International Festival: Bernstein & Stravinsky
Conductor Karina Canellakis returns to the Festival and leads the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) through a monumental programme featuring Messiaen, Stravinsky and Bernstein.
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Edinburgh International Festival: Dunedin Consort & John Butt
This leading baroque ensemble revives Handel's sparkling comic cantata, unearthing the origins of his operatic masterpieces.
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Edinburgh International Festival: Faustus in Africa!
Through puppetry and animation, Handspring Puppet Company reimagine Faust's downfall and reframe the classic tale to confront colonialism and the climate emergency.
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Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Development
Edinburgh Steiner School is offering this Teacher Development course starting on 13th September.
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Einaudi’s Piano by Candlelight: Spirited Away
Come along to St Vincent's Chapel for an immersive musical experience inspired by Studio Ghibli’s anime Spirited Away, Einaudi's meditative piano pieces, and Japanese Zen stories!
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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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Frank Sanazi’s Songs For Swinging Leaders
Frank Sanazi storms back into Edinburgh to deliver his signature mix of darkly hilarious tunes and extreme comedy!
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Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Garry Starr is back! The multi-award-winning, sartorially shy comic wunderkind returns to the Fringe with his acclaimed anarchic masterclass: Garry Starr: Classic Penguins!
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Goose’s Quizzes Elimination Game
Gooses Quizzes, Edinburgh’s premier quiz company, has announced the return of its popular show, The Elimination Game, to the Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
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Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described
Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Hans Zimmer’s Hollywood 1925 - 2025: A Centenary Celebration of Film Music
Inspired by ‘Interstellar,’ this show time-warps cinema history, intersplicing modern film music with silent cinematography with live music as we travel through cinema history!
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Heebie Jeebies: Vive le Fringe! 2025
This visual performance, created for children under 6 and their carers, combines multilingual storytelling (Scottish Gaelic, French, English), puppetry and original live music.
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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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How To Win Against History
The solid gold, diamante-studded hit is back, bigger and more sparkly than ever in a run at the Fringe from 30 July – 24 August!
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Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind
The unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is back at the Fringe with a 90s party hypnoshow!
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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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Innovations & Inventions Tour
Join The Lost Close for this Innovations & Inventions Tour and learn just how much Scotland has brought to the world!
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Jessica Durand: Over The Top
Jessica Durand is (very bravely) staging her very own self-insert Downton Abbey fanfiction for a live audience as part of the Fringe Festival!
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John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture captures the span of an extraordinary life and career, told through the lens of the artist’s own eyes and the words of the people who knew him best.
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Kids Go FREE at Hopetoun House this Summer!
BIG NEWS! This July and August, children aged 15 and under can explore Hopetoun House and Grounds absolutely FREE with a paying adult.
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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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Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares
Nobody Cares is a hilarious, heartfelt and sometimes brutally honest tribute to recovering ingenues, mothers, and anybody working on themselves.
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Let’s Forget
Known for his high-profile sculptures, Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter brings his contemporary works to The Fine Art Society in Edinburgh this summer.
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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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Lola: A Flamenco Love Story
Lola is a vibrant new dance musical fusing passionate contemporary flamenco with the rousing rhythms of Latin pop and jazz. Catch it at the EICC as part of the Fringe!
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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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Margolyes & Dickens: More Best Bits
Miriam Margolyes returns to the Fringe with more – more characters, more Dickens, and more fascinating stories about the man behind the classics!
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MC Hammersmith - Hippity Hoppity Get Off My Property
Featuring brand-new routines for 2025! You'll leave astounded at the speed of MC Hammersmith's brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing.
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Mercedes Azpilicueta: Fire on the Mountain, Light on the Hill
Collective are delighted to presents the first solo exhibition in Scotland of visual and performance artist Mercedes Azpilicueta!
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Midnight in Nashville
A (nearly) solo show with live music, Midnight in Nashville is a raucous journey to Music City. Catch it as part of the Fringe Festival!
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Monkeys: Our Primate Family
See some of the rarest and most endangered primates on Earth in 'Monkeys: Our Primate Family' at the National Museum of Scotland.
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Monumental Treasure Hunt: West Princes Street Gardens
Welcome to the Monument-al Treasure Hunt in West Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, a cultural & historical exploration for children & adults of all ages to enjoy.
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Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
The distinguished Moonlight Concerts series proudly returns to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025, presenting virtuoso pianist Matthew Shiel in a sophisticated program of Beethoven's profound compositions.
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MUO immersive exhibit: Vive le Fringe! 2025
MUO is an immersive audiovisual installation by Lomond Campbell which makes use of muon detectors, sensing harmless radiation in the atmosphere.
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MUO Live: Vive le Fringe! 2025
Join Scottish artist and musician Lomond Campbell for a unique live performance of MUO, an audiovisual experience powered by the universe itself.
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Nature Photography Workshop
Join renowned professional photographer Laurie Campbell for these Nature Photography Workshops at Edinburgh Zoo!
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Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books
Delve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.
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Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops
Come behind the scenes at your least favourite dating apps and meet the girl who's pulling the strings!
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Phil Green: A Broken Man’s Guide To Fixing Others
Phil Green, one of the circuit’s most personable comedians, delves into the psyche of the middle-aged male and sets himself the simple task of guiding them into the world of self-help.
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Planetarium Lates: Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon
After a sell-out run last year, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon planetarium experience is back at the Fringe!
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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 Portraits: A Century of Photography
This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, charts the evolution of royal portrait photography from the 1920s to the present day!
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Saaniya Abbas - Hellarious
In a landmark moment for the UAE comedy scene, Saaniya Abbas is set to become the first local comic to officially debut a solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe this August.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: 101 Greenbank Crescent
101 Greenbank Crescent hides a fascinating garden on a steeply sloped site, with views over Braidburn Valley Park to the Pentland hills.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Hunter’s Tryst
Hunter’s Tryst is a well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized, wildlife-friendly town garden.
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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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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.
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Shamilton The Improvised Hip Hop Musical
Shamilton, one of the most popular shows at the festival is back after selling out its previous three years and accumulating a Fringe fan-base that has never been seen before.
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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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Singin’ I’m No a Billie, She’s a Tim
Back with an all female cast, Singin I'm No a Billy SHE'S a Tim will have you laughing and crying so hard, you'll be begging for full time!
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Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
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Some Kind of Tours: 5 million years of Edinburgh history in 90 minutes
Unearth the twisted tales of Greyfriars Kirkyard and uncover Scotland's sinister past on this unique, 90 minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town.
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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STARDUST Starring Star Dust (In Person)
STARDUST is a Fringe debut from Punchdrunk’s Kat McGarr, in which we see Kat transform personal grief into something absurd, funny, and profound.
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Summer Course Drop - Edinburgh Open Workshop
Unlock your potential as Edinburgh Open Workshop announces a range of new summer courses suitable for first-time makers and those looking to improve their skills.
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Summer Surf Camp
These week-long surf camps at Lost Shore Surf Resort are the perfect way for young surfers to build confidence, learn new skills, and fall in love with the surf.
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The Brel Promise: Vive le Fringe! 2025
Arnaud Askoy brings Chanson Francaise icon Jacques Brel to life at the Institut francais d'Ecosse a part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
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The Haggis Ceilidh Club
One of Edinburgh's best nights out! Come join The Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band's monthly ceilidh at Old Dr Bells Baths!
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The Ladyboys of Bangkok
The Lady Boys of Bangkok return to Edinburgh with a sensationally glamorous new show, a must-see new production for 2025 packed with fun filled comedy and outrageous cheekiness!
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The Marriage of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein
A New York Times Critic's Pick! This is a marriage farce by Edward Einhorn about Stein and Toklas in which four actors play over 30 characters. Catch it at the Fringe!
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns from 1st to 23rd August 2025 with the show 'The Heroes Who Made Us'.
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The Underground Lectures: Adventures in Banking: The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors
Join Gillian Paterson, Museum Engagement Officer for this talk on The Turbulent Tales of the Original Bank of Scotland Investors at The Royal Scots Club on 21st August!
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The World of King James VI and I
Marking the 400-year anniversary of King James’s death, this exhibition will chart his remarkable reign through stories of friendship, family, feuds and ambition.
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Trainspotting Live
Trainspotting Live returns to The Pleasance at EICC for the Edinburgh Fringe 2025! Early booking recommended!
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Vacuum Girl
Vacuum Girl is a live presentation of a television pilot that follows a woman living through surreal dissociations in New York.
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Wallace & Gromit: All Systems Go
For the first time in Scotland, join beloved national treasures Wallace & Gromit for an unforgettable, interactive augmented reality experience this summer at Dynamic Earth.
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Well Behaved Women
Well Behaved Women is a riotous new comedy-drama by Amy Yeo and you can catch it at the Gilded Balloon Patter House as part of the Edinburgh Fringe!
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What Doesn’t Kill You
Making her debut from Melbourne Australia, let Robyn Reynolds PLUNGE you into a hilarious (and deeply personal) show at the Assembly Roxy this August.
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Whisky Tasting and Tales
Taste 4 deliciously different whiskies while taking a journey into the history of whisky in Scotland and its profound importance within Scottish culture.
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Withered Hand & Friends
Dan Willson (Withered Hand) is joined by a host of very special guests for another of his legendary festival line-ups on Thursday 21st August at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh!
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Woody Fu: One Man John Wick
John Wick. John Wick Chapter 2. John Wick Chapter 3. What do these movies have in common? Woody Fu has seen them. Now, he’s embodying the world’s favourite Canadian action star Keanu Reeves.
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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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Your Art World
Your Art World is a colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland, at the National Galleries of Scotland: National.
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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:
Whitelee Walkers Health Walk
Join the Whitelee Rangers for a short health walk on the windfarm on Tuesday mornings - stretch your legs, have a natter and maybe even spot some local wildlife!
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Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies Support Group - Barrhead
Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies offer FREE breastfeeding support to families in the Greater Glasgow area, join them for their weekly support group at Dunterlie Resource Centre on Thursdays!
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East Renfrewshire Bookbug Sessions
Free, fun and fantastic! East Renfrewshire Libraries run several interactive song, rhyme and story Bookbug sessions!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Helensbank House
Hidden away from public view, this is an 18th-century walled garden, with main feature a Cedar of Lebanon, reputedly planted in 1750 by the sea captain who built the house.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Glassmount House
Glassmount House has a densely planted walled garden with new areas of naturalistic planting blending the boundary between the surrounding fields and the woodland.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Harthill
Harthill Garden enjoys a tranquil setting in the hills just above Auchtermuchty with beautiful views.
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Compass Gallery Summer Show
Running throughout June, July & August, Compass Gallery's Summer Show features a selection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture by some new graduates and regular contemporary exhibitors.
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Capturing the Moment: Glasgow Then and Now
To celebrate Glasgow's 850th anniversary, students from Shawlands Academy have teamed up with Glasgow Life Museums to celebrate by curating this touring exhibition!
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Wheels Of Life
Wheels of Life at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre is a special show which features some of the earliest and most exquisite work created by Eduard Bersudsky in Russia.
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Dogs Trust Dog Training Classes
The Dogs Trust offer training classes for dogs at all stages of their lives, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment at venues across Lanarkshire!
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Hawk House Gardens
We invite you to explore our formal and wild gardens at Hawk House, hidden inside protective mixed hedges, with formal gardens, a wildflower meadow, woodland and far-reaching views!
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Ian Hamilton Finlay: Images From The Arcadian Dream Garden
Biggar Museum presents Images from the Arcadian Dream Garden, a centenary exhibition honouring the life and work of internationally acclaimed artist, poet, and landscape designer Ian Hamilton Finlay!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Renfrewshire Walking Network Community Walks
Enjoy some fresh air and activity on one of Renfrewshire Walking Network's free weekly health walks, held in locations across Renfrewshire!
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Physio Led Antenatal Pilates
Grace Ferguson Pilates will launch an antenatal (pregnancy) Pilates class on Thursday evenings in Paisley at the lovely SANA Yoga & Massage from January 9th.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: The Croft
Explore the special one acre garden of The Croft, on a steep rocky site facing north overlooking the Clyde just opposite Dumbarton Rock, as part of Scotland's Gardens!
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Aerial Yoga
Feeling inspired to try something new or expand your existing practice? Then join Andriani's Ahimsa Yoga at 3 Wellgreen Lane, Stirling for these Aerial Yoga classes on Mondays & Tuesdays!
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Stirling Ghostwalk
Take a tour of the strange tales and stranger characters of Stirling's Old Town on the Stirling Ghostwalk... comedy, drama, fact and fable - fun for boys & ghouls of all ages!
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Bannockburn House Gardens
Bannockburn House, an A-listed mansion built in 1675 by Sir Hugh Paterson, now sits in 26 acres of woodland and gardens.
READ MOREEvents in Other Areas
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