CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

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!

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Whisky Tasting and Tales

12th November 2024 - 12th November 2025

Taste 4 deliciously different whiskies while taking a journey into the history of whisky in Scotland and its profound importance within Scottish culture.

READ MORE

Escape the Past: The Anatomist

1st December 2024 - 31st December 2025

Descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you embark on a thrilling adventure into Edinburgh’s dark past.

READ MORE

Escape the Past: The Deacon’s Cabinet

12th December 2024 - 31st December 2025

From Escape The Past comes a new escape room 'The Deacon’s Cabinet', a historical heist escape room which challenges you to outsmart the infamous Deacon Brodie!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Some Kind of Tours: 5 million years of Edinburgh history in 90 minutes

27th April 2025 - 26th October 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

Unearth the twisted tales of Greyfriars Kirkyard and uncover Scotland's sinister past on this unique, 90 minute walking tour of Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town.

READ MORE

Innovations & Inventions Tour

1st June 2025 - 31st October 2025

Join The Lost Close for this Innovations & Inventions Tour and learn just how much Scotland has brought to the world!

READ MORE

Dear Library

20th June 2025 - 18th April 2026

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

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

21st August 2025 - 31st October 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

This walking tour of Edinburgh focuses on LGBTQ history from the battle of legalisation to the modern issues faced by the community in the current day!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Forgotten Women

Selected dates between 24th August 2025 - 26th October 2025
Various Locations Edinburgh

Join one of the Edinburgh Street Historians' highly skilled and experienced guides on an unforgettable walking tour all about the amazing women of our city's past 1000 years!

READ MORE

Family Learning Festival at Museum on the Mound

4th October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Join us at the Museum on the Mound throughout the Family Learning Festival for fun, free family-friendly activities, trails and handling tables!

READ MORE

Whispers of the past

Selected dates between 4th October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Join our guide for a journey through the grounds of this ancient site to explore the veiled past of Edinburgh Castle!

READ MORE

Come for the Yacht, stay for the scones

11th October 2025 - 26th October 2025

Are you looking for something fun to do this October holidays in Edinburgh? Then bring the whole crew and follow in the footsteps of Royalty aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia!

READ MORE

Great Big Living History Week

11th October 2025 - 26th October 2025

Especially for the October Holidays sites all over Scotland will be hosting characters throughout history including Edinburgh Castle.

READ MORE

Mary Shelley’s Monster

11th October 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Storm clouds gather over Edinburgh this autumn as Mary Shelley’s Monster rises at The Edinburgh Dungeon from 11th October - 2nd November!

READ MORE

Witches or Healers

13th October 2025 - 31st October 2025

Hear the story of Agnes Sampson, a woman accused of witchcraft and discover the scents of some of the herbs Agnes would have been familiar with as she worked as a local healer.

READ MORE

Explorers – The Age of Discovery with James May

17th October 2025

From Ice Age migrations to space travel, the stories of famous, infamous and unknown explorers will come to life, presented by British television presenter and award-winning journalist James May!

READ MORE

The Return of Sudanese Cinema

17th October 2025

Umloda Ibrahim, a James McCune Smith scholar, will explore the history of Sudan’s film industry on 17th October at the City Art Centre as part of Black History Month Scotland.

READ MORE

After Dark at 7 Charlotte Square

18th October 2025

Step inside 7 Charlotte Square and uncover the dark history of the house and Edinburgh in the 18th and early 19th centuries - a night of murder, mourning, and macabre history!

READ MORE

An Evening with Mary Beard

18th October 2025

Step into the world of Ancient Rome with renowned historian Mary Beard as she uncovers the stories that history forgot.

READ MORE

‘Engraved on Man’s Skin’: The Auld Alliance, Much More than a Military Alliance

23rd October 2025

This talk examines a series of important, but less well-studied, figures who shaped the Auld Alliance during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.

READ MORE

The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance: Franco-Scottish attitudes from the Union of the Crowns to the age of romanticism

23rd October 2025

Clarisse Godard Desmarest, Professor of British Cultural Studies at the University of Picardie Jules Verne, presents this talk on The Aftermath of the Auld Alliance.

READ MORE

Haunted Drams - Ghost & Whisky Experience

31st October 2025 - 1st November 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

Step into the shadows of Edinburgh’s dark past on this spine-tingling walking tour through the Old Town’s most haunted close and forgotten corners!

READ MORE

Scotland’s Opium Secrets

5th November 2025

Join Professor Jim Mills on 11th November at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh as he traces the consumption of opium-based substances in Scotland in the early modern period!

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Castle Gun Salutes

Selected dates between 9th November 2025 - 14th November 2025

Edinburgh Castle hold a number of gun salutes throughout the year to mark a variety of special occasions!

READ MORE

Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary Celebration

18th November 2025

Join Hands Up for Trad on 18th November for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Open Pass Scotland

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:

Heritage Talk: Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew

Heritage Talk: Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew

28th October 2025

Join local historian Lorraine Murray to separate fact from fiction as she discusses Witchcraft in the Shire of Renfrew at Barrhead Foundry on Tuesday 28th October.

READ MORE
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!

READ MORE
History of Patterton and Darnley Ranges

History of Patterton and Darnley Ranges

9th November 2025

Here's another chance to visit the Patterton and Darnley rifle and pistol ranges if you missed it last year, and before it takes a break.

READ MORE

History Events in Fife

Here's a selection of History 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.

READ MORE
St Andrews Memories

St Andrews Memories

Selected dates between 4th February 2025 - 2nd December 2025

Drop in to The R&A World Golf Museum and have a chat whilst looking at photographs, objects and film footage from our collections!

READ MORE
St Andrews: The Dark Side Walking Tour

St Andrews: The Dark Side Walking Tour

31st October 2025 - 1st November 2025

Back for its fourth year, uncover St Andrews' deepest secrets and darkest skeletons on this 1.5 hour tour run by Walking Tours in St Andrews this Halloween!

READ MORE

History Events in Glasgow

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

Stella Dadzie: A Whole Heap of Mix Up

Stella Dadzie: A Whole Heap of Mix Up

25th October 2025

The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) are delighted to host Stella Dadzie at Glasgow's Tron Theatre to discuss her latest book 'A Whole Heap of Mix Up'.

READ MORE
Aye Write: The Road to Mons Gaupius: Alan Montgomery

Aye Write: The Road to Mons Gaupius: Alan Montgomery

9th November 2025

Dr Alan Montgomery gives an illustrated talk about Roman Scotland based on his new book, The Road to Mons Graupius as part of Aye Write 2025.

READ MORE
Reframing The Narrative

Reframing The Narrative

17th October 2025

This talk explores the rehanging of the Glassford portrait in Kelvingrove and how it may shape approaches to exploring histories and legacies of enslavement in Glasgow Museums moving forward.

READ MORE

History Events in Lanarkshire

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

Reminisce and Reunite - 1st Hamilton Girls’ Brigade 70th Birthday

Reminisce and Reunite - 1st Hamilton Girls’ Brigade 70th Birthday

23rd October 2025

Join 1st Hamilton Girls' Brigade on Thursday 23rd October as they open their doors to celebrate their 70th Birthday!

READ MORE
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.

READ MORE
Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire

Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire

28th June 2025 - 19th October 2025

Come hear the memories of local musicians, see costumes, photos and records through the decades or even just come for a boogie at the Everything Flows: Music in North Lanarkshire exhibition!

READ MORE

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:

History Cafe: Views Of Renfrewshire

History Cafe: Views Of Renfrewshire

18th October 2025

Join Renfrewshire Heritage in Blend Coffee Lounge at Paisley Arts Centre on Saturday 18th October for their in-person History Cafe discussing Views Of Renfrewshire.

READ MORE
Paisley Heritage Group Walking Tour: The Three Witch Trials Of Paisley

Paisley Heritage Group Walking Tour: The Three Witch Trials Of Paisley

26th October 2025

Join Gayle Pollock and Rachael Smith as they take you on a walking tour of Paisley exploring the history of the town's three witch trials.

READ MORE
The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk

The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk

29th October 2025

Join Brian Hannan, author of The Witches Of Renfrewshire as he launches the book with a special event at Skirlies Cafe on Wednesday 29th October.

READ MORE

History Events in Stirling

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

Scotland’s National Hero

Scotland’s National Hero

12th April 2025 - 26th October 2025

Who was William Wallace? Listen as a costumed actor gives you an insight into the life of Scotland’s National Hero.

READ MORE
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!

READ MORE
Stirling: The Dark Side Walking Tour

Stirling: The Dark Side Walking Tour

30th October 2025 - 2nd November 2025

Back for the fourth year, come and explore the dark history of Stirling this Halloween with Walking Tours In Stirling!

READ MORE

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!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Hilton Glasgow
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Hilton Glasgow
Children's Classic Concerts
Wonder & Co
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Open Pass Scotland
Hilton Glasgow
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Hilton Glasgow
Children's Classic Concerts
Wonder & Co
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
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!
The Seagull
Chekhov's much-loved masterpiece soars anew in a darkly comic reimagining by Mike Poulton, with beloved stage and screen star Caroline Quentin leading a stellar ensemble.
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!
Harry Enfield and No Chums
Come along to the Usher Hall for a rare and entertaining evening with legendary satirical comedian and self-styled 'stupid idiot', Harry Enfield!

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