Exhibitions events in Edinburgh

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.

Dear Library

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

ARTIST ROOMS

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

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!

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.

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.

Ben Lingard: Version Control

Version Control at Leith School of Art is an exhibition of work by ex-graduate resident, now studio assistant and tutor, Ben Lingard!

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!

Scaredy Cat Exhibition

Celebrate queer identity and self-acceptance with Cat Gordon's vibrant new riso comic and exhibition, Scaredy Cat, created during her residency at Out of the Blueprint!

CATALYST: Art as Activism - A Heart in Exile

A Heart in Exile brings together three bodies of work that trace the inner landscape of migration; its fractures, its expansions, and its quiet, unresolvable tensions.

CATALYST: Art as Activism - All Day, Waiting For Another Sun to Rise

Within this show at Summerhall, Molly Wickett reimagines a post-apocalyptic landscape through a queer and disabled lens.

CATALYST: Art as Activism - Any Body Home

Any Body Home features works developed during the Hugo Burge Foundation x Summerhall residency Art as Activism (2024), along with other pieces exploring related themes.

CATALYST: Art as Activism - Net Worthy

Net Worthy explores how capitalism drives biodiversity loss through its emphasis on extraction via industrial agriculture and aquaculture to produce perpetual profit.

Giants

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

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.

Exhibition: Golgotha Too

Previously exhibited in Lancaster and Carlisle, Martin Fowler's modest oil paintings on wood continue the tradition of figurative painting within the church.

Italian Stories Illustration Exhibition

Join the Italian Institute of Culture for their Italian Stories Illustration Exhibition which explores the central role of illustration in contemporary Italian narrative fiction!

Dropping Anchor - Rosemary Everett

East Lothian printmaker Rosemary Everett crafts stunning, sea-inspired paper art and books that explore northern landscapes... don't miss her exhibition, Dropping Anchor at Upright Gallery!

Prison Nursing Unlocked: A History Of Care And Justice

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

La Vie En Rose: A Celebration Of The Rose In Art And In Life

Head to Morningside Gallery to view La Vie En Rose, the first solo exhibition from renowned contemporary Scottish artist Alison McWhirter featuring 41 new paintings.

Eric Cruikshank :: Texture Dissolves / Colour Radiates

&Gallery are delighted to host Eric Cruikshank's forthcoming solo exhibition 'Texture Dissolves / Colour Radiates' between 7th March and 1st April!

The Weight of Waiting

Experience The Weight of Waiting art exhibition at The House of Smalls, celebrating the resilience of women who are turning healthcare struggles into creative artwork!

Solo Art Exhibition: COND. CONT’D

Contemporary abstract artist Maro Hill brings his solo exhibition COND. CONT'D [Conditions Continued] to Leith Makers between the 11th and 22nd March!

Still Life

Researched by the Active Inquiry cast, curated by Nicola Milazzo, Still Life is an exhibition where you can learn about some of the well known (and lesser well known) Edinburgh characters!

Exhibition: Families Belong Together

This exhibition documents the lives of 10 couples and families to illustrate the human cost of the spouse/partner migration policy and their sense of being continuously in limbo!

The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop

Join Keith Lodwick on Saturday 14th March at Dovecot Studios to celebrate the publication of his book The Costume House, a behind-the-seams look at Cosprop, one of the world's renowned costume houses!

Edinburgh Book Fair

Edinburgh Book Fair, Scotland's largest and most prestigious rare book fair, returns to the King's Hall at InterContinental The George Hotel on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March!

100 Best Australian Wines Festival with Matthew Jukes

The 100 Best Australian Wines Festival with Matthew Jukes is back at The Edinburgh Academy on Saturday 21st March, following its great success last year!

Murray Close Film Stills - Meet the Photographer

Come along to Gallery Close on Saturday 21st March and meet Murray Close, one of the most in-demand film stills photographers working today!

VIBRANT

VIBRANT is a lively celebration of colour, energy and artistic expression that showcases the unique talents of 6 artists and invited guests at Space Artworks!

North Edinburgh Film Festival

The North Edinburgh Film Festival returns in March for its fourth year, offering over 40 films, creative workshops, and a community meal in a brilliant celebration of local filmmaking and talent!

The Scottish Tattoo Convention

The Scottish Tattoo Convention returns to the O2 Academy Edinburgh in March 2026, bigger and better than ever!

Time is Wasting: An Exhibition Of Painting, Drawing And Sculpture

Time is Wasting is an exhibition of painting, drawing and sculpture featuring works by Victoria Ross and Grace Pitman Ross at Whitespace Gallery.

Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting

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

Edinburgh Science Festival

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

Exclusive Viewing: The Great Instauration

For the 2026 Edinburgh Science Festival artist Gayle Chong Kwan has created a new art installation, 'The Great Instauration', hosted in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland.

Spill the Tea Tour: Earth Matters

Join this guided tour of 'Earth Matters', led by a member of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Creative Programmes team on Sunday 5th April!

Banknote Bonanza: Spring Holiday Fun

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

Extraction

Extraction at Jupiter Artland explores how energy systems shape culture, land and belief, through work by artists Carol Rhodes, John Gerrard, Marguerite Humeau, Siobhan McLaughlin and John Latham.

The Lothians Model Railway Exhibition

Join Pentland Model Railway Group for their annual Model Railway Exhibition when it returns to The Students Union at Heriot-Watt University on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April!

Academy Late

Experience live music, powerful performances, and artwork as you enjoy the New Contemporaries Exhibition after dark in the stunning surroundings of the Royal Scottish Academy Galleries!

ANECDOTE

Head to Summerhall for two day exhibition ANECDOTE hosted by seven photography students each creating projects in relation to their personal experiences and exploring causes close to them!

BSL Tour: Herbology

Come along to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the exhibition Herbology, led by Trudi Collier on Sunday 19th April.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance explores the glitzy world of two of Britain's most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary!

Exhibition: Coordinated

Genesis Studio Edinburgh on Multrees Walk, will host Coordinated, a brilliant new exhibition celebrating the stylish, sustainable designs of talented Edinburgh College of Art fashion students!

Edinbrick - A LEGO Model Show

Edinbrick is back for 2026! Edinburgh's biggest LEGO Model Show, will be held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May at Meadowbank Sports Centre.

The Scottish Kennel Club: Double Championship Dog Show

The Scottish Kennel Club is delighted to be holding, once again, its double (All Breed & General) Championship Show in May 2026.

Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy

This exhibition at City Art Centre celebrates Jean Watson's brilliant legacy, showcasing a century of Scottish masterpieces as part of the Royal Scottish Academy's spectacular 200th-anniversary!

British Pipe Band Championships

The pipes are calling you to the Royal Highland Centre on 30th May for the British Pipe Band Championships.

The Royal Highland Show

One of Scotland's most iconic events, The Royal Highland Show, returns to Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre in June for another four day celebration of farming life!

Scotland’s First Warriors

Discover the thrilling origins of ancient combat through rare treasures, including the stunning Carnoustie Hoard, in this must-see journey through Scotland's prehistoric warrior past!

Truckfest Scotland

Scotland's biggest and best truck show returns to Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre on the 1st and 2nd August 2026, it's a great day out for the family!

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns from 7th to 31st August 2026 with artists and performers taking to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste!

Tabletop Scotland

Tabletop Scotland, a board game, card game and roleplaying game convention, returns to the Royal Highland Centre between Friday 4th and Sunday 6th September!

Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Whether you're planning a major renovation, a self-build, or just seeking fresh inspiration, Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Edinburgh has everything you need to kickstart your project.

Flora, Fauna & Fabric, Where Art Meets Fashion!

Scottish artists/designers Adrienne Kerr and Elizabeth Martin unite their shared love of nature, storytelling, and textile in this exhibition at Dundas Street Gallery!

Scottish Smallholding & Countryside Festival

The Scottish Smallholding & Countryside Festival is back and it's bigger and better than ever before! Don't miss this celebration of rural life at the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 17th October!

Comic Con Scotland

Comic Con Scotland, one of Europe's largest pop culture conventions, returns to the Royal Highland Centre on 24th and 25th October 2026!

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of their births, this unmissable new documentary explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies alongside the groundbreaking Tate exhibition.

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!

Mearns Horticultural Society will host their annual Spring Flower Show at The Park Church, Giffnock on Saturday 14th March!

The Kingdom Classic is back! Come along to The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum on Sunday 3rd May and see hundreds of the rarest and most beautiful classic cars in the country!

Dive into Scotland's epic past at Unearthed, a family-friendly exhibition featuring fossil fish, Viking jewels, and hands-on fun from dig pits to puppet films!

Transept, a practising artist's group within the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts, will host their exhibition, Immaterial Evidence, at St Andrew's Episcopal Church.

Glasgow Blythswood Festival, held between Friday 1st and Sunday 17th May, blends arts, music, performance, exhibitions, heritage and culinary delights in this celebrated area of Glasgow city centre!

Running throughout February and March, Gerber Fine Art's Mixed Exhibition features a continually changing display of notable Scottish artists and British Modern Masters!

Project Ability artists and inpatients from Gartnavel Royal Hospital reflect on ideas of comfort and disturbance in nature, with visits to the Gartnavel Summer House and gardens.

The opening exhibition this year at Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum is 'Still Walls, Passing Time' featuring works by Allan Burnett and Christine Brown.

Ship Ahoy! is an exciting and unique event from Scottish Maritime Heritage including displays of model ships, ship photographs and historic video footage, as well as displays of working model ships.

North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre welcomes a showcase exhibition of award-winning Polish photographer Zaneta (Zan) Threlfall, from February to May!

Paisley's annual Sma' Shot day event, one of the oldest workers' festivals in the UK, will take place this year on Saturday 4th July!

Calling all railway enthusiasts, modellers, and families! The Scottish Festival of Railway Modelling is set to be a spectacular event celebrating the intricate and fascinating world of modelling!

Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, Paisley Patchers return to Paisley North Church on Saturday 25th April with their annual Quilt Exhibition!

Join the Greengallery in Buchlyvie for their Different Perspectives Exhibition showcasing works from Rosanne Barr, Garry Harper and Pauline Cumming, alongside some of their favourite gallery artists.

Young Creatives at The Stirling Smith is an exhibition of portfolio artwork from the seven high schools across the region showcasing the extraordinary talent thriving within school art departments.

This exhibition presents a creative collaboration with Support for Families (S4F) celebrating the everyday moments of care, connection, and resilience that shape the S4F community.