Events in Edinburgh in May 2026
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during May 2026, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
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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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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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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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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Beethoven Sonatas by Candlelight
Treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional early evening piano recital at the beautiful candlelit venue of St Giles' Cathedral!
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Royal Mile Chamber Music Series
The Edinburgh Royal Mile Chamber Music Series returns to St Giles, Cathedral for its second season, following a widely acclaimed launch.
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Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight
Enjoy Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons, and other magnificent works by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral, performed by The Piccadilly Sinfonietta!
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Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight
Experience an enchanting piano recital bathed in the gentle glow of candlelight and set in the awe-inspiring beauty of St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.
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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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Doctor Bonk’s Macarbaret
Dr Bonk, Scotland's silliest surgeon, presents the Macarbaret: a madcap hour of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
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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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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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Monster Cabaret
Join Madame Mabh for her haunted house party at the Banshee Labyrinth, featuring both classic cabaret acts and unusual happenings!
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Chopin & Champagne by Candlelight
Enjoy an exceptional classical concert by candlelight in the beautiful setting of St Mary's Cathedral, that perfectly complements the romantic brilliance of Chopin's music.
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Stand Up Horror
Improvised, macabre tales featuring (voluntary!) members of the audience as actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night at Stand Up Horror!
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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.
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Out With The Buckleys
James and Clair Buckley are taking their vlog offline and around the UK on an unfiltered, unedited live tour and bring it to the Usher Hall on Friday 1st May!
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Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals
Don’t miss your chance to see Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals UK Tour when it returns to Edinburgh Playhouse in May 2026!
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Elkie Brooks - Long Farewell Tour
Having started her career in music in 1960, a remarkable 64 years of performing live, Elkie Brooks will embark upon her ‘Long Farewell Tour’ and brings it to the Usher Hall on 2nd May 2026!
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Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of Tea
Has Josh Widdicombe mastered the art of stand-up? Come along and decide for yourself when he brings his new show, Not My Cup of Tea, to the Edinburgh Playhouse!
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Summer Salt
Texas indie pop band Summer Salt bring their EU/UK Reside Tour to The Mash House Edinburgh on Sunday 3rd May.
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Indian Plugin - Summer Electro Fest
Indian electronic music is not just an evolution, but a revolution. 12 Hours of exploring New Era Indian Music. SOUNDS of INDIA where the logic stand.
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Sunny Afternoon
Sunny Afternoon, the multi-award-winning musical sensation about one of the greatest bands of all time, The Kinks, is returning for a major UK tour, don't miss it at the Edinburgh Playhouse!
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Cantatas & Concertos
Alexander Chance joins Dunedin Consort for a programme of Bach, Telemann and Graupner.
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The Charlatans
One of the UK's most enduring and best-loved bands, The Charlatans, have announced a tour in support of new album, We Are Love, which will see them headline the Corn Exchange on Wednesday 6th May!
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Dave Formula & Noko
Magazine's keyboard player and guitarist, Dave and Noko, will be touring one more time... performing an evening of Magazine material at La Belle Angele on Thursday 7th May!
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Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Schumann Cello Concerto
Join Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and exceptional SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham for this varied concert.
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Star Struck
Prepare to be transported into a glamorous world where jazz meets ballet, and the stars align when Scottish Ballet bring Starstruck to the Festival Theatre in May!
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Police Dog Hogan
Police Dog Hogan, one of the country's finest live folk-country acts, bring their UK tour to The Queen's Hall Edinburgh on Friday 8th May!
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RSNO Season 25-26: The Music of John Williams
Join the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a full-scale symphonic tribute to movie composer John Williams at the Usher Hall on Friday 8th May 2026!
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Darren Walsh: Do You Like Puns?
ʞɔǝɥ ←flippin' heck! Witness a pun Goliath in person, as Darren Walsh brings his 8ft frame and award winning act on the road.
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Edinburgh Uncorked Wine Festival 2026
Join Wine Events Scotland at the Assembly Rooms on 9th May for Edinburgh’s only independent spring wine festival – Edinburgh Uncorked – a celebration of wines from all over the world!
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Festhailes Country
Come along to our family-friendly country music festival in the grounds of Newhailes House on Saturday 9th May.
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Quarriers: Leith Distillery Abseil
This is a truly unique experience for you to ascend the 131ft drop off the Port of Leith Distillery on Saturday 9th May in aid of Quarriers!
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100 Years Celebration of Laurel and Hardy - Presented by Neil Brand
Following the success of his 2023/24 tour, Neil Brand invites you to celebrate the centenary of Laurel and Hardy with a brand-new show at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh in May!
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Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Dvořák ‘New World’ Symphony
Join Maxim and the SCO musicians for an electrifying and emotional conclusion to the Season – with one of the most cherished symphonies of them all.
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Cash - The American Recordings starring Henry Wagons
This show, performed by Australian singer Henry Wagons, pays tribute to Johnny Cash's late-career American Recordings albums. Catch it at The Voodoo Rooms on Friday 15th May!
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RSNO Season 25-26: Nicola Benedetti Plays Elgar
Nicola Benedetti joins Scotland’s National Orchestra for Elgar’s lyrical Violin Concerto.
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Motown Brothers - Soul and Motown
Step back in time to the golden era of soul and rhythm & blues with The Mowtown Brothers, the ultimate tribute band to the legendary Motown sound.
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Simon Evans is Staring at the Sun
Simon Evans is Back! Veteran of a quarter century of highly acclaimed stand-up comedy, Simon Evans is squinting at an uncertain future and revisiting the blue remembered hills of his youth.
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The Puppini Sisters
In celebration of 2026 marking 20 years since their debut album, The Puppini Sisters have announced a celebratory UK tour in May including a date at The Pleasance Edinburgh on the 16th!
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Lost in Music - One Night In the Disco
Step back into the era of glitter balls and groove – Lost in Music is back with a brand-new, high-energy show that’s bigger, bolder, and more dazzling than ever!
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The Mersey Beatles
The Mersey Beatles – the world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four - return to the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 17th May!
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Toots And The Maytals Feat. Leba Hibbert
The Toots and the Maytals legacy lives on with Toots' daughter, Leba Hibbert, now fronting the band. They return for a 2026 UK tour including a show at The Queens Hall on Sunday 17th May!
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The Bodyguard
The international, award-winning smash-hit musical based on the blockbuster film, The Bodyguard is back! Don't miss it when it returns to the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026!
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Sing The Musicals
Direct from London's West End, the first national tour of the greatest musicals of all time, performed by a sensational live band and character singers, comes to the Usher Hall on 21st May!
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Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross is a respected singer-songwriter-guitar player who continues to share his original music with the world. Catch him at the Usher Hall on Friday 22nd May.
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From the Jam - Greatest Hits Tour
From The Jam have announced a major UK tour for Spring 2026, marking 20 years since their formation, including a date at La Belle Angele on Friday 22nd May!
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The Fabulous Cash & Carter Show
Don't miss a a fantastic, authentic and heart-warming, nostalgic journey reliving the stories, music, and songs of The Great Johnny Cash and June Carter.
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Travellers Tunes: An Evening With Steve Cradock
In his debut tour, Steve Cradock will be playing and singing hits from the Ocean Colour Scene songbook, and much more, at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh in May!
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2:22 A Ghost Story
Direct from London's West End, the edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse in May 2026!
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An Audience with Mark and Lard
Don't miss 'An Audience With Mark And Lard', coming to The Queen's Hall Edinburgh on Tuesday 26th May!
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Craig Hill: Wait ’Til You See My Entrance!
Don't miss Scotland's cheeky, irreverent and uproarious Kilty Comedy Pleasure and join Craig as his hilarious new live tour comes to the Corn Exchange Haddington!
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Grieg Piano Concerto by Candlelight
Enjoy an exceptional classical concert by candlelight in the beautiful setting of St Giles' Cathedral.
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Scottish Opera: The Marriage of Figaro
Sir Thomas Allen revives his much-loved production of Mozart’s unstoppable masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro, at Festival Theatre in May.
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Debussy by Candlelight
Experience an enchanting piano recital bathed in the gentle glow of candlelight, set within the awe-inspiring beauty of St Giles’ Cathedral.
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Ray LaMontagne - Trouble
Ray LaMontagne's Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour is heading to Edinburgh, don't miss him live at the Usher Hall on 31st May!
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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:
Eastwood Art Club
Eastwood Art Club offers members the opportunity to meet and paint at their own level in a friendly and constructive atmosphere!
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Damian Hall - Running Forever
In his first theatre tour, Damian Hall will deliver stories of breaking long-distance running records and representing Great Britain, to running marathons dressed as a toilet and near-fatal mishaps
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Exhibition On Screen: Frida Kahlo
Exhibition on Screen is delighted to bring Frida Kahlo back to the cinema for the attention it deserves, don't miss it at Eastwood Park Theatre on Wednesday 20th May!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Simply Dylan
John O'Connell's Simply Dylan Band will be back touring in 2026 with a date at The Alhambra Theatre on Sunday 24th May!
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Kelty Musical Association: Come From Away
7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story. Kelty Musical Association bring their production of the smash hit musical Come From Away to Carnegie Hall!
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Pixies
Pixies are marking their 40th year together with a UK and Europe tour and bring it to The Alhambra Theatre on Thursday 21st May!
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Midge Ure
Acclaimed musician, producer, and Ultravox frontman Midge Ure brings his visionary A Man Of Two Worlds Tour to Glasgow's SEC Armadillo on Friday 22nd May!
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Flowers And Friendship Bracelets - The Ultimate Pop Concert
Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music dance, and excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets, the ultimate pop concert, returns to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow!
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The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
The critically acclaimed production of John le Carré's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold will embark on a major UK tour coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in May!
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret
An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret is back in town with a dazzling new production, don't miss it at Lanark Memorial Hall on Friday 15th May!
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Craig Revel Horwood
Airdrie Town Hall has announced Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood will take to its stage on Friday 1st May for a fab-u-lous night of big songs, tall tales, and glamour!
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That’s So 90s
Get ready to Spice Up Your Life when The One and Only 90's show that's taking the UK by storm comes to Hamilton Town House on Friday 1st May!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
The Southmartins
Playing fast and loose with the back catalogues of the Housemartins and the Beautiful South, The Southmartins are a tribute not to be missed when they return to The Bungalow Paisley on May 9th!
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P!NK By Vicky Jackson
Don't miss your chance to experience all the major hits including So What, Just Like a Pill, Raise Your Glass, Try, Trustfall and many more when P!NK By Vicky Jackson comes to the Beacon Arts Centre!
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Desperados - A Tribute To the Eagles
Desperados will deliver a rip roaring set from the outstanding back catalogue of one of the greatest band's in history, The Eagles at The Bungalow Paisley on Friday 8th May!
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Miles Jupp - On I Bang
Miles Jupp brings his new show 'On I Bang', a tale about surprise, fear, luck, love and qualified medical practitioners, to Macrobert Arts Centre on Friday 1st May!
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Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour
The Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award winner Susie McCabe is back with her latest tour 'Best Behaviour' and brings it to Macrobert Arts Centre on Friday 15th May!
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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.
READ MOREEvents in Other Areas
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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