Events in Edinburgh on 20 December 2023
View all the upcoming events in Edinburgh on the 20 December 2023 below, or use the calendar to find events taking place on a specific month or date.
Events in Edinburgh
100 Species Exhibition
The Firth of Forth is teeming with life and the '100 Species Exhibition' celebrates it's vast biodiversity.
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Annual Winter Exhibition
Come along to &Gallery's annual end of year exhibition this December! It includes one artwork from each artist represented by the gallery.
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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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asweetsea – Liza Sylvestre
Liza Sylvestre's first solo exhibition in Scotland, asweetsea, explores what it means to communicate. Catch it at Collective Edinburgh from 21st October!
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Bellfield Quiz Night
Come along to our ever-popular Quiz Night hosted by Gregor Zielinski at the Bellfield Brewery!
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Blue Christmas 2023!
Come along to La Belle Angele on 20th December and hear all of your favourite festive, blues, r’n’b, and rock’n’roll songs performed by a host of fantastic local singers!
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Bongo’s Bingo Edinburgh
Bongo’s Bingo, the UK’s original bingo rave phenomenon, is back in Edinburgh at the O2 Academy!
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Cab-arette Showtour
A unique comedy musical Showtour in a taxi... be driven around Edinburgh, whilst entertained by Lola and her variety of characters!
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Castle Of Light
Prepare to see the jewel in Edinburgh's skyline sparkle and glisten in brilliant colour this festive season as Castle of Light is back for its fourth year!
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Castle Street Christmas Market
Castle Street Christmas Market returns in 2023, providing everyone with something special to buy and enjoy. Not to be missed!
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Cavern Comedy Open Mic
Featuring a variety of Scottish comedy talent from beginner to professional, there's something for everyone at The Royal Scots Club's comedy open mic every Wednesday!
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Christmas @ The Anatomist Escape Room
Looking for festive fun that's a little different? Gather your team of family, friends or colleagues and head along to Edinburgh's historical escape room!
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Christmas at Almond Valley
It's Christmas Magic at Almond Valley Heritage Centre with day-time fun and night-time wonders!
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Christmas at Dalkeith Country Park
A truly magical Christmas awaits you at Dalkeith Country Park. Our programme of festive events is bursting with fun and plenty of Christmas sparkle.
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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 Market - East Princes Street Gardens
The Christmas Market returns to East Princes St Gardens showcasing the best in artisanal festive products and goods from local makers.
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Christmas Party
Feel festive, get merry and celebrate with friends and colleagues this Christmas at Imaginex in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town with it's unique 360° screen!
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Christmas Pop-up Shop
The Art & Craft Collective is delighted to introduce our first Christmas Pop-up shop, providing a wider selection of handmade Christmas goods!
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Cinderella
Edinburgh People's Theatre presents Cinderella, a new magical life for the popular fairy tale, at Church Hill Theatre this December!
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Cinderella
Join us for a Cinderella Story at the Reconnect Regal Theatre this December!
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Cinderella
Stage Door Entertainment, in partnership with Portobello Town Hall, is proud to bring the enchanting fairytale to life, promising to captivate audiences of all ages.
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Cinderella
Cinderella brings a refreshing, exciting and hilarious tale to life through nail-biting adventure, original music and magical moments!
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Conifox Christmas Experience
Come with us on a magical Christmas journey into the world of Santa Claus and all of his festive friends this year at Conifox Adventure Park!
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Craigies Santa Adventure
Experience the enchantment of Christmas like never before at Craigies’ Santa Adventure!
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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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Daily Tours at St Giles’ Cathedral
Join a volunteer guide for a 45 min to 1 hour glimpse into the history, heraldry and life of our historic Cathedral and Thistle Chapel!
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Daring Women of Edinburgh - Walking Tour
With all the statues of men in Edinburgh, you may be wondering who are the amazing women who made this city. Come see on our daring walking tour!
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Daring Women of Edinburgh Night Tour
Following on the success of the Daring Women of Edinburgh daytime tour, this walking tour at night gives you a unique insight into some of the daring women in Edinburgh's history.
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Darren Woodhead - Wildlife Art Exhibition
Our new exhibition at the SOC in Aberlady, presents watercolours by Darren Woodhead, inspired by the wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, and East Lothian in particular.
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Deep Rooted
'Deep Rooted' is a group exhibition featuring work by eight contemporary artists exploring the relationship between people and the natural environment using a variety of media and approaches.
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Dinosaurs!
Immerse yourself in our walk-through exhibition included in your Edinburgh Zoo ticket and see prehistoric beasts come to life around you!
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Drama Classes for Children and Young People in Central Edinburgh
Parents, do you want to help your child grow their confidence and make new friends in a fun and creative way? The Blossom Theatre Project drama classes are the perfect way to do this.
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Dunedin Consort: Children’s Messiah
Fun for all the family is guaranteed in Dunedin Consort’s interactive, 45-minute Children’s Messiah - specially crafted with little ears in mind!
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Dunedin Consort: Messiah
There are few more uplifting ways to celebrate the festive season than to listed to the Dunedin Consort perfom Handel's Messiah!
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Eala Shàilein / The Swan of Salen
Swan of Salen is A Multimedia Folk Ballet inspired by Tchaikovsky’s iconic Swan Lake and the parallel Gaelic legend, Eala Shàilein. Catch it at Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Village Hall in April!
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EBA Social Badminton
Looking to play badminton? Join us for our weekly social badminton sessions, perfect for adult beginner and intermediate players.
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Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs
Join Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs for their Friday Ceilidhs 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 Cheese Crawl
Calling all curd nerds and turophiles – yep there’s a word for your love of cheese – Edinburgh’s finest cheeses are being wrapped up into one 2 hour walking tour!
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Edinburgh Folk Club
We've been the home of regular folk nights in the capital for 50 years. Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm. All welcome!
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Edinburgh Magic with Kevin Quantum
Kevin Quantum invites you to an intimate and quite astonishing evening of magic, mystery and wonder in one of Edinburgh’s most historic and enchanting hotels; Waldorf Astoria - The Caledonian!
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Edinburgh Opera Company Seeking New Singers For Carmen
Aria Alba is looking for new members to join our exciting production of Georges Bizet's Carmen at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2024.
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Eskmills Christmas Carnival
This winter, the Eskmills Venue in Musselburgh will transform into a magical Christmas wonderland.
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Exhibition ‘Elegy for Autumn’
'Elegy for Autumn' at Birch Tree Gallery, brings together two artists - Glynnis Carter with mixed media paintings on canvas and Hanna Salomonsson with new ceramic vessels.
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Exhibition: Soul Nature by Reyhaneh Mozaffar
Soul Nature is an exhibition by artist Reyhaneh Mozaffar showing at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 8th December!
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Exploring Special Connection - Creative experience for Two
This 2.5 hour 2:1 interactive workshop provides the Two of You with a unique opportunity to use an art-making process as a way to connect with your special being on a deeper level.
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Finding Your Way - 1:1 creative experience
This 1:1 creative experience would suit individuals who believe in the powerful link between art, science, and spirituality and who are open to experiments on their self-awareness journey.
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Five Sisters Zoo Christmas Illuminations
Don't miss the spectacular Christmas Illuminations, back for another year at the Five Sisters Zoo!
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Friday Friends
Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families.
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Go Quest Adventures - Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Quest is a fun, engaging way to explore the Old Town/Royal Mile area of Edinburgh from a whole different perspective. Think walking tour, meets treasure hunt with an escape room twist!
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Height of Arrows Gin Experience
Back just in time for Christmas! Learn more about gin, have a fun and immersive experience with friends, or simply enjoy a festive night out at Holyrood Distillery's Height of Arrows Gin Experience.
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Islander Handbag Workshop
Come along and create your very own Islander Harris Tweed® Handbag, choose your favourite colours and get creative as you construct all the different components!
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John – Thomas Abercromby
Part of Collective’s Satellites Programme, Thomas Abercromby’s ‘John’ is a moving image work that explores the intricate ties between family, grief and the multifaceted layers of social class.
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Journey: Castle Mills Members’ Show 3
Hung across Galleries 1 & 2 at Edinburgh Printmakers, ‘Journey’ celebrates the ‘Journey’ of Edinburgh Printmakers' Workshop itself.
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Live Jazz at Divino
Every Wednesday, guests at Divino can enjoy a mid-week night out, with a live jazz band bringing the perfect accompaniment to a glass of wine, a fantastic meal, and great company!
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Live music at Bar 13
Join us early evening at Bar 13 for live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with Rory & The Island!
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Low Winter Sun
The Scottish Gallery will see out the end of 2023 with the crisp winter scenes of Victoria Crowe’s work in her new exhibition Low Winter Sun.
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Making Waves: Artist Bookmaking Exhibition
Over 80 books will be on display from 42 artists at this exhibtion, based on the theme of water, at Upright Gallery this December!
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Moody Monday Textile Printing Workshops
1:1 sessions are now available with all of our existing courses on short taster or longer masterclass courses at a time that suits you or your group.
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National Museum of Flight Conservation Hangar Tours
See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the National Museum of Flight's Conservation Hangar with these free guided tours.
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Northern Lights: Postcards from Norway
Northern Lights: Postcards from Norway is an online exhibition by Edinburgh artist Jill Ashforth!
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Ocean Terminal Christmas Market
With Christmas just round the corner, come along to Ocean Terminal Christmas Market! Running until Christmas Eve, it will be brimming with local and Scottish gifts.
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Past Meets Present: Recent Acquisitions Revealed
Past Meets Present: Recent Acquisitions Revealed unveils a selection of treasures that have joined the collection in the past five years.
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Personal PhotoShoot Experience
Join professional local photographer Simon Messer in Edinburgh's Old Town for your Personal PhotoShoot Experience! It's a fun outdoor experience perfect for couples, families and solo travelers alike.
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Photography Tuition in Edinburgh’s Old Town
Learn to use your camera in one of the most beautiful cities in the world from a working photographer and film maker! Perfect for solo travellers, couples and families.
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Planetarium Lates: Christmas Special
Experience your favourite Christmas Films like never before in Dynamic Earth's incredible, 6K Planetarium!
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Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth.
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Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Antiquaries Exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland Archives acquired the Rosslyn Album in 2021 and this exhibition presents images from the archive collections relating to Rosslyn Chapel and the contents of the album.
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Same Team - A Street Soccer Story
Written with the Dundee Women’s Street Soccer Team, Same Team - A Street Soccer Story is an uplifting whirlwind through the highs and lows of homeless football.
READ MORESanta 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!
READ MORESanta’s Breakfast at Dobbies Edinburgh
Join us at Dobbies Edinburgh for a fun festive event where you will enjoy breakfast for the whole family with fun activities, plus a special visit from Santa!
READ MORESanta’s Breakfast at Dobbies Livingston
Join us at Dobbies Livingston and enjoy breakfast for the whole family with fun activities, plus a special visit from Santa!
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Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Edinburgh
Bring your little ones along to Dobbies Edinburgh for an exciting festive experience at their annual Santa's Grotto!
READ MORESanta’s Grotto at Dobbies Livingston
Let your little ones experience our Santa’s Grotto, including a special gift from Santa himself at Dobbies Livingston!
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SCO 2023/24: Snow on Snow with SCO Chorus
The SCO Chorus’s annual Christmas concert has become a firm fixture in Scotland’s musical calendar: experience the singers’ radiant tones under expert Director Gregory Batsleer
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Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Exhibition features almost 200 images from 100 photographers and is on display at Bonnie & Wild throughout 2023.
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Scottish Women Artists: 250 Years of Challenging Perception
The world renowned Dovecot Studios is celebrating the works of Scottish women artists across 250 years in a major new exhibition.
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Shifting Vistas: 250 Years of Scottish Landscape
250 Years of Scottish Landscape spans artistic production from 18th century to present day, with a selection of historic and contemporary artworks drawn from City Art Centre’s permanent collection.
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Sleeping Beauty
Panto 2023 is gonna be Dreamy this year at the Howden Park Centre as Reconnect Theatres present our debut Panto Sleeping Beauty!
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Sleeping Booty
Live at The Three Sisters this festive period, for a second year running, they will bring you their very own Adult Panto... Sleeping Booty!
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SpeedQuiz at Edinburgh Street Food
Get quizzy with it at Edinburgh Street Food every Wednesday night, powered by Philamhor Brewing Co! It’s free to play.
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Susan Riddell: Self On The Shelf
Budge up Elf, Susan Riddell's been on this shelf a lot longer than you and it doesn’t look like she’s going anywhere any time soon!
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The Christmas Experience
Step into a Christmas Wonderland at Dynamic Earth! A holiday adventure like no other, inviting you to journey through time and nature to meet Santa Claus in his very own North Pole grotto.
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The Joke Gym
The Joke Gym ia a stand-up comedy night featuring fresh material from new and established acts, hosted by Julia Sutherland or Viv Gee, at Leith Depot!
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The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
Join Peter Pan as he sets sail on a brand-new adventure for Christmas 2023 at the Festival Theatre, with pantomime favourites Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young!
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The Polar Express™ Train Ride
This November and December join us on board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, arriving for the first time at Waverley Station!
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The Scottish Landscape Awards
The City Art Centre is thrilled to host the inaugural exhibition of Scotland’s newest open call in contemporary art - The Scottish Landscape Awards.
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The Snow Queen
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh is delighted to present a brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen for Christmas 2023.
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Time Traveller: Charles Lyell at Work
This exhibition in Edinburgh University's Main Library provides a unique insight into geologist and science writer Charles Lyell's developing ideas about the uniformity of nature.
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UNMASKED: Real stories of Nursing in COVID-19
This exhibition looks behind the masks, to explore the thoughts, feelings and experiences of nursing staff during COVID-19 and past pandemics.
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Wild Women of Edinburgh - Yes We Can Garden!
This is a different kind of garden walking tour - an inspiring look at Edinburgh's history of women in gardening.
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Windrush Legacy Creative Reflections
Scottish Caribbean writers Jeda Pearl and Courtney Stoddart are co-curating an exhibition of poetry, prose and artworks by people of Caribbean descent.
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Winter Exhibition
We look forward to welcoming you to our first Group Winter Exhibition in Detail Framing & Gallery, celebrating the artists we have shown and supported since our opening in August 2022!
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Winter Village at Edinburgh Zoo
Jingle all the way to Edinburgh Zoo this festive season with the arrival of our new Winter Village!
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Winter Wheelers challenge! Get ready to wrap up and ride this December!
Join Love to Ride's Winter Wheelers to conquer the cold, banish anxiety, boost your energy levels, and enhance your happiness.
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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:
The Market Place Newton Mearns: English Conversation Group
The Market Place's weekly English Conversation Group offers the chance to improve your English and make new friends!
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East Renfrewshire Health Walks
East Renfrewshire Council HSCP run several walking groups throughout the week perfect for beginners upwards!
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Beauty and the Beast
With stunning scenery, lavish costumes, a super talented cast, memorable songs and laughs galore, Beauty and the Beast at Eastwood Park Theatre is just what you need for some festive fun!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Santa’s Breakfast
Join us at The Crusoe for a fun filled morning with Santa and his Elves. As well as a story time, there will also be photo opportunity with Santa and a gift for children to take home.
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The Little Mermaid: Panto 2023
Panto returns to the Adam Smith this year with a splash with the magical family pantomime The Little Mermaid.
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Family Days Out in in Fife
Come along to St Andrews Indoor Golf Centre and enjoy a great family golf day out!
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
The Crafters Roadshow - Silverburn
Shop from the best in Scottish Crafts and support your local makers when The Crafters Roadshow returns to Silverburn!
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Light & Shadow: International Photography Exhibition
The Glasgow Gallery of Photography are hosting a month long photography exhibition, with the theme Light & Shadow at our their exhibition space on High Street during December.
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Masters of Street Photography Exhibition
Masters of Street Photography is a six week long exhibition at The Glasgow Gallery of Photography on Glassford Street which showcases the work of photographers from all around the world!
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbies Sandyholm
Make it a Christmas to remember and see your child's eyes light up as they tuck into breakfast with Santa at Dobbies Sandyholm!
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Santa Paws at Dobbies Sandyholm
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Sandyholm!
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Santa’s Grotto at Crow Wood
Santa is coming to Crow Wood this Christmas! Meet Santa, stock up on that important magical reindeer food then design your own magical key so that Santa can drop off your pressies!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Active Communities’ Jogging Buddies
Active Communities run a series of weekly, recreational jogging groups throughout Renfrewshire... if you want to get fit, have fun and make some new friends then they want to hear from you!
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Breakfast With Santa
Youngsters are being invited to join Santa Claus for breakfast at the popular Cardwell Garden Centre!
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Santa’s Missing Reindeer
Santa's reindeer have come to visit RSPB Lochwinnoch and are spending their time out on the reserve near the Aird meadow trail... how many can you spot?
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
University of Stirling Art & Design Honours Degree Show 2023
This exhibition at Made in Stirling showcases the work of the University of Stirling & Forth Valley College Art & Design Honours students.
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The Man Who Could Paint Anything – The Legacy of Thomas Stuart Smith
This exhibition showcases some of The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum’s remarkable art collection.
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The Great Christmas Escape - Stirling Old Town Jail
Enjoy a festive delight that brings laughter and joy to all ages as Father Christmas defends his chimney heists in a rib-tickling immersive performance experience at Stirling Old Town Jail!
READ MOREEvents in Other Areas
A Christmas Tale With Santa
A magical extravaganza awaits at Kelburn Castle & Estate this festive season... come along for a A Christmas Tale With Santa!
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Christmas Classics with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Celebrate the Festive Season with our hugely popular Christmas Classics concert, a traditional celebration featuring well-loved Christmas carols and music.
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Cinderella
Following their 5-star reviewed 2022 production of Sleeping Beauty, The Gaiety are delighted to welcome back writing team Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle for their 2023 pantomime – Cinderella!
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Highlight Talks
On selected days throughout the year the team at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and volunteers hold a Highlight Talk exploring the life and works of Robert Burns!
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Starry Nights at Dean Castle
Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock is set to host Starry Nights, a brand new magical illuminated Christmas experience, providing outdoor festive fun for friends and family alike!
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