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Exhibitions Events in Edinburgh in October 2025

Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during October 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.

Events in Edinburgh

Maps: Memories from the Second World War

9th March 2024 - 26th January 2026

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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Cold War Scotland

13th July 2024 - 4th January 2026

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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Your Art World

10th May 2025 - 2nd November 2025

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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Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction

30th May 2025 - 13th February 2026

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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Dear Library

20th June 2025 - 18th April 2026

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

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Resistance

21st June 2025 - 4th January 2026

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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You Mean the World Exhibition

25th June 2025 - 18th December 2025

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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Monkeys: Our Primate Family

28th June 2025 - 30th November 2025

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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Panorama: New Views of a City

9th July 2025 - 21st December 2025

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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ARTIST ROOMS

12th July 2025 - 30th November 2025

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.

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IKEA: Magical Patterns

18th July 2025 - 17th January 2026

IKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition comes to Dovecot Studios, celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design.

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Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years

26th July 2025 - 2nd November 2025

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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Aqsa Arif: Raindrops of Rani

1st August 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Aqsa Arif's exhibition Raindrops of Rani uses elements of South Asian folklore to explore themes of fractured identity, displacement, and cultural synthesis through fantasy and world-building.

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Robert Powell: Hall of Hours

1st August 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Hall of Hours explores time through Robert Powell's unique imagery capturing humanity's complexity, grandeur, and folly in intricate and thought-provoking compositions.

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We Are The Witches. We Are, Hear

1st August 2025 - 30th August 2026

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

13th September 2025 - 31st May 2026

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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50 Years of Naboland and The Behrens Family

2nd October 2025 - 25th October 2025

This October, The Scottish Gallery is proud to present a landmark double exhibition: 50 Years of Naboland and The Behrens Family!

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The Joy of Noticing

2nd October 2025 - 29th October 2025

The Joy of Noticing is a new exhibition of contemporary landscape paintings by Orla Stevens, showing at Lobby 37, Gleneagles Townhouse from 2nd – 29th October.

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Beneath The Veil

3rd October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Beneath The Veil, an exhibition coinciding with World Mental Health Day, focuses on the work of artists using visual art as a means of expression, exploration, connection, release, and recovery.

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Shen Xin: Highland Embassy

3rd October 2025 - 21st December 2025

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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Layered Perspectives :: Susan Laughton & Bronwen Sleigh

4th October 2025 - 29th October 2025

Layered Perspectives brings together the work of Susan Laughton and Bronwen Sleigh, two artists whose practices explore the meeting points between architecture, landscape, and abstraction.

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Nature’s Palette, Linda Park & Lesley Skeates

4th October 2025 - 25th October 2025

Join us at The Atelier Gallery for Nature’s Palette, a collaborative exhibition that highlights the artistic talents of Linda Park and Lesley Skeates, two widely acclaimed artists at our gallery!

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HARVEST: Contemporary Craft Fair

11th October 2025 - 19th October 2025

Craft Scotland is delighted to present HARVEST: Contemporary Craft Fair, our new living showroom and multi-disciplinary selling exhibition, coming to the City Art Centre from 11th to 19th October.

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Under a Moonlit Sky: Gordon Wilson at Morningside Gallery

11th October 2025 - 26th October 2025

Under a Moonlit Sky is a second solo exhibition of work from Gordon Wilson, a much-loved and widely collected Scottish artist, showing at Morningside Gallery from 11th to 26th October.

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Vanishing Points: Art Beyond Boundaries

15th October 2025 - 21st October 2025
Edinburgh West

Marking the debut of Chrissy Moore Art Advisory, this group exhibition brings together powerful works in photography, sculpture, and painting!

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Drawing the Italian Renaissance

17th October 2025 - 1st March 2026

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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Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer

18th October 2025 - 19th April 2026

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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Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry

20th October 2025 - 14th February 2026

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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Out of Sight Out of Mind: Launch

21st October 2025

Join us at Summerhall to celebrate the launch of Out of Sight Out of Mind, featuring artworks made by 400 people with experience of mental health issues.

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Out of Sight Out of Mind Exhibition

22nd October 2025 - 9th November 2025

The biggest mental health art exhibition in Scotland in it's 13th year will present artworks made by 400 people.

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Above Ground: Andrew Radford & Susie Redman

25th October 2025 - 14th November 2025

This exhibition at Upright Gallery, brings together Andrew Radford's assemblages and Susie Redman's weavings!

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Coburg Print Room

Selected dates between 25th October 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Step into the Coburg Print Room for this dynamic exhibition showcasing bold techniques, fresh voices, and timeless craftsmanship and bringing together emerging and established artists.

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Drawn Together

25th October 2025 - 26th October 2025
Edinburgh South

A powerful exhibition of visual art by local people with lived experience of homelessness, sharing stories often overlooked.

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Gudrun Sjödén: Swedish Colour & Design

26th October 2025

Join Dovecot to celebrate five decades of colourful design and unique expression by the Swedish designer and textile artist Gudrun Sjödén.

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Unlikely Architectures by Fraser Taylor

27th October 2025 - 10th November 2025

Showing at Patriothall Gallery from 27th October, 'Unlikely Architectures' presents works by Fraser Taylor, spanning a five-year period and made from direct observations of architecture.

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OOO – Jon Gray & Tom Etherington

28th October 2025 - 4th November 2025

OOO is an exhibition showcasing collaborative work by Custom Lane resident Jon Gray and Tom Etherington, showing at Custom Lane from 28th October to 4th November.

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From the Forest to the Forge: Lachlan Goudie

30th October 2025 - 22nd November 2025

This exhibition will, for the first time, bring together the complete range of works produced by Lachlan Goudie during his fifteen-year painting pilgrimage through Industrial Britain.

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Liminal Exhibition

30th October 2025 - 6th November 2025

Liminal is a collaborative exhibition developed by young people working with the Mental Health Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and artist Louise Fraser!

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PINK. Women of Italian Graphic Design. From the Origins to Contemporaneity

30th October 2025 - 12th December 2025

This powerful exhibition uncovers the overlooked contributions of Italian women graphic designers who helped define eras, influence culture, and craft iconic imagery.

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Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Tea Green
Mowgli
Wonder & Co
Hilton Glasgow
Salvation Army
Go Ape

Exhibitions Events in East Renfrewshire

Exhibitions Events in Fife

Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:

Steaming Ahead : How the Railways Changed the Fish we Eat

Steaming Ahead : How the Railways Changed the Fish we Eat

1st October 2025 - 10th November 2025

In this 200th anniversary year of commercial rail travel in the UK, we take the opportunity to look at the wide-ranging impacts of these technologies on a particular industry – fishing.

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From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity

18th October 2025 - 15th February 2026

Join us at Wardlaw Museum for this exhibition and uncover Scotland’s identity through the creativity of its artists!

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The Lost Words

The Lost Words

28th June 2025 - 26th October 2025

Discover The Lost Words, an enchanting exhibition featuring original artwork by artist Jackie Morris and spell-poems by writer Robert Macfarlane – from their best-selling book of the same name.

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Exhibitions Events in Glasgow

Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition

24th July 2025 - 26th October 2025

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, a spectacular hi-tech experience will open its doors at SEC Glasgow on Thursday 24th July, following a sell-out 14-week run in London!

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Nature on Paper

Nature on Paper

15th October 2025 - 24th December 2025

Group exhibition, Nature on Paper, is a celebration of our natural world, with each work a unique view of what the artist finds inspiring!

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ir/regular Drinks Reception and Artist Talk

ir/regular Drinks Reception and Artist Talk

20th October 2025

Celebrate the opening of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) with the team at Project Ability's city centre gallery on Monday 20th October.

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Exhibitions Events in Lanarkshire

Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:

A Passion For Wildlife

A Passion For Wildlife

16th October 2025 - 26th October 2025

As part of Biggar Little Festival, Biggar Museum are delighted to host photographic exhibition, A Passion for Wildlife, by photographer Jean Manson.

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Biggar Little Festival Art Trail

Biggar Little Festival Art Trail

17th October 2025 - 26th October 2025

The annual Biggar Little Festival Art Trail is a road of discovery where you will find unique pieces of art, fine craftsmanship and an incredible range of skills!

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I Used to Be…

I Used to Be…

21st October 2025 - 9th November 2025

Textiles exhibition by Eilidh Manson featuring items that we expect to bring comfort, but, on closer inspection, are not what we expect them to be.

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Exhibitions Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:

Galoshans Festival

Galoshans Festival

17th October 2025 - 30th October 2025

Inverclyde's annual Galoshans Festival returns for 2025 from Friday 17th October, promising a fortnight of music, mystery, and magic!

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Neuro Art 2025: Art Exhibition

Neuro Art 2025: Art Exhibition

21st October 2025 - 23rd October 2025

Create Paisley and Renfrewshire HSCP invite neurodivergent artists in Renfrewshire to take part in a vibrant art exhibition celebrating diverse perspectives.

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Micro Layouts Model Railway Show

Micro Layouts Model Railway Show

22nd March 2025 - 22nd March 2026

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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Exhibitions Events in Stirling

Here's a selection of Exhibitions Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:

Callander Toy Fair

Callander Toy Fair

Selected dates between 13th April 2025 - 19th October 2025

Callander Toy Fair returns to McLaren High School. It's a must visit event for any collector of toys and models.

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Remembered: 80 years since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Remembered: 80 years since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

6th October 2025 - 14th November 2025

In the 80th year since the bombing, the University of Stirling is hosting an exhibition from the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. 

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The Man Who Could Paint Anything – The Legacy of Thomas Stuart Smith

The Man Who Could Paint Anything – The Legacy of Thomas Stuart Smith

1st March 2023 - 1st January 2028

This exhibition showcases some of The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum’s remarkable art collection.

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Events in Other Areas

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

20th October 2025 - 9th November 2025
Nationwide

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) is back from 20th October to 9th November 2025, exploring the theme of Comfort & Disturb.

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Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Kevin Quantum
Hilton Glasgow
MNB
Children's Classic Concerts
WST
The Chocolatarium

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Tea Green
Mowgli
Wonder & Co
Hilton Glasgow
Salvation Army
Go Ape
Fayre Play
Kevin Quantum
Hilton Glasgow
MNB
Children's Classic Concerts
WST
The Chocolatarium

Popular Events

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.
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!
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!
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!
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!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall