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History events in Edinburgh

Scroll down to view the upcoming History events taking place throughout Edinburgh or use the filters to narrow down the results.

Events in Edinburgh

Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!

1st January 2024 - 31st December 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

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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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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Arthur’s Secrets

Selected dates between 14th January 2025 - 31st March 2026

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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Monumental Treasure Hunt: West Princes Street Gardens

18th January 2025 - 27th November 2025

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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Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

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Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

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Conservation Hangar Talks

1st April 2025 - 29th March 2026

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.

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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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Edinburgh Nuclear Bunker Tour

25th October 2025 - 27th December 2026

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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Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall

Selected dates between 25th October 2025 - 28th November 2025

Join our team of volunteers at St Cecilia's Hall for a FREE weekly tour of the collection!

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Exhibition: Silver, Salt and Stories - Images and Memories of the Scots Herring Women

8th November 2025 - 22nd November 2025

The exhibition by Jill de Fresnes is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s.

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Winter Family Trail

15th November 2025 - 20th December 2025

Free this Winter at St Cecilia's Hall, can you find all 8 snow-people hidden around the galleries and answer each of their questions?

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Myths and Legends Tour

Selected dates between 20th November 2025 - 27th November 2025

This November, step beneath the Royal Mile and into a world where history and folklore entwine, with The Real Mary King’s Close new 'Myths and Legends Tour'!

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Christmas @ The Deacon’s Cabinet Escape Room

21st November 2025 - 4th January 2026

Looking for festive fun that's a little different? Then gather your team and head along to Edinburgh's historical escape room for The Deacon’s Cabinet!

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A History of Fashion – For Everyone

22nd November 2025

Travel through time with Dovecot Director Celia Joicey to learn how fashion influences how we dress, how we feel about ourselves and – significantly – how we look - aimed at everyone from 7+!

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David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time

22nd November 2025

Join David Olusoga at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 22nd November as he uncovers the story of three firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors!

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Gowns & Glamour, an Art Deco Adventure from Paris to New York

1st December 2025

The Costume Society Scotland's December talk is taking place at Augustine United Church on the 1st and will hopefully enthuse the art deco in you!

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Underground Unlocked at The Real Mary King’s Close

Selected dates between 4th December 2025 - 11th December 2025

For two unforgettable nights, experience The Real Mary King’s Close as it once was, bustling, full of life and echoing with the voices of those who lived and worked beneath the Royal Mile.

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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction

Selected dates between 5th December 2025 - 29th January 2026

Join exhibition curator Lauren Porter at The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse as she discusses works from Drawing the Italian Renaissance!

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A Victorian Christmas

Selected dates between 6th December 2025 - 28th December 2025

Step back in time for a festive experience like no other. Journey beneath the streets of Edinburgh and discover how the city’s Victorian residents celebrated the season.

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Christmas Activity Day

13th December 2025

Join us at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on 13th December for a fun festive activity for the whole family to enjoy!

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Aleister Crowley - The Beast, The Bard, The Brat

16th December 2025

Wild rumours spread about Aleister Crowley throughout his eccentric life. Come along and hear about a side to the sorcerer that is seldom heard!

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Fire and Light, A Candlelight Christmas at 7 Charlotte Square

20th December 2025

Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas in 18th century Edinburgh at The Georgian House!

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John Roy Stuart - Latha Chuilodair

17th January 2026

In this play, the ghost of John Roy Stuart, poet, partisan and Colonel of the Jacobite Edinburgh Regiment, returns to Scotland to recall his life, times and final battle.

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Showcase: Ripley Alchemical Scroll

28th January 2026

Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery on 28th January as we explore the Philosophers’ Stone and the secret to eternal life!

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Giants

31st January 2026 - 14th September 2026

Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family friendly exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland!

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Conservator Talk: Conserving the Campi Cartoon

6th February 2026

Victoria Button, Royal Collection Trust’s Head of Paper Conservation, discusses her work in preparing drawings for presentation in Drawing The Italian Renaissance, on display at The King's Gallery.

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Showcase: Banned Books

25th February 2026

Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery on Wednesday 25th February for this talk on the banning and censoring of scientific books, especially during the 1500s Catholic Inquisition!

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Curatorial Talk: The Patrons of the Renaissance

27th February 2026

Join Martin Clayton, Head of Prints and Drawings at Royal Collection Trust, for this lunchtime lecture as he discusses the vital role of patrons in the creation of Italian Renaissance art.

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Uncovering Ancient Egypt with Bettany Hughes

8th November 2026

Step into the golden sands of Ancient Egypt with award-winning historian Bettany Hughes as she brings the land of the pharaohs vividly to life at the Assembly Rooms!

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Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Go Ape
Fayre Play
Mowgli
MNB
Tea Green
Escape The Past

History Events in East Renfrewshire

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

Hands On Heritage

Hands On Heritage

Selected dates between 16th September 2025 - 16th December 2025

Every month the team at East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure's Heritage Collection will select some of their most interesting treasures and share the stories behind them at Hands On Heritage!

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History Events in Fife

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

The Light Beneath the Stone

The Light Beneath the Stone

27th November 2025

Join storyteller Beverley Bryant with musicians Stuart Williamson and Steve Saunders of Celtic Spirit, for a haunting evening inspired by the story of Lilias Adie!

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Anster Nicht: More Than Leeches? Weird and Wonderful New Discoveries in Medieval Medicine

Anster Nicht: More Than Leeches? Weird and Wonderful New Discoveries in Medieval Medicine

19th March 2026

Join Professor James Palmer from the University of St Andrews as he gives us an entertaining tour of new discoveries that have transformed what we know about medieval medicine!

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Anster Nicht: Finding the Fairy Queen's Voice

Anster Nicht: Finding the Fairy Queen's Voice

19th February 2026

For decades, an enigmatic figurehead, known as The Fairy Queen, has been displayed in the Scottish Fisheries Museum. But where did it come from, and what does it symbolise?

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History Events in Glasgow

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

The Old Glasgow Club Talks

The Old Glasgow Club Talks

Selected dates between 11th September 2025 - 9th April 2026

The Old Glasgow Club hosts regular talks and occasional events for people interested in Glasgow, its environs, its history and its people!

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Heritage Building Tours

Heritage Building Tours

Selected dates between 6th December 2025 - 14th March 2026

Learn about legendary productions, backstage innovations, and the community spirit that has defined the Citz on one of their regular Heritage Building Tours!

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Hidden Histories Tours

Hidden Histories Tours

Selected dates between 1st December 2025

Curators at The Burrell Collection hold monthly Hidden Histories Tours exploring different aspects of the museum's magnificent collection!

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History Events in Lanarkshire

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

Hamilton Mausoleum Tour

Hamilton Mausoleum Tour

Selected dates between 8th February 2025 - 22nd November 2025

Take a tour of one of the finest private tombs in the country and the town's most striking historic landmark, Hamilton Mausoleum.

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History Events in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde

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

Paisley After Dark: The Darkside Tour - Launch Night

Paisley After Dark: The Darkside Tour - Launch Night

27th November 2025

Step into Paisley after dark with a brand new evening walking experience created in collaboration between Paisley Tours and Paisley Darkside Historical Walking Tours!

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History Events in Stirling

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

Burns an’ a’ that

Burns an’ a’ that

25th January 2026

Join us at Stirling Castle to celebrate burns an' a' that and why not have a go at addressing the haggis!

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Stirling Ghostwalk

Stirling Ghostwalk

3rd January 2025 - 27th December 2025

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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Events in Other Areas

Highlight Talks

Highlight Talks

Selected dates between 8th October 2025 - 24th June 2026

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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Sponsored Links

Wonder & Co
WST
Kevin Quantum
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
Salvation Army
The Chocolatarium

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Go Ape
Fayre Play
Mowgli
MNB
Tea Green
Escape The Past
Wonder & Co
WST
Kevin Quantum
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
Salvation Army
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.
Coca Cola Christmas Truck Tour Edinburgh
Holidays are coming... the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour returns for Christmas 2025, kicking off with two stops in Edinburgh!
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!
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!

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