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History Events in Edinburgh in December 2025

Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during December 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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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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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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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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Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

17th May 2025 - 8th March 2026

Scheduled to complement John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, this survey exhibition examines the wider context of post-war Scottish art.

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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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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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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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Weekly Tours at St Cecilia’s Hall

Selected dates between 28th November 2025 - 17th December 2025

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

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Fabulous Old Town Tour

1st December 2025 - 14th February 2026
Edinburgh Old Town

This free walking tour is fun and funny, performed by local independent tour guides, it will really help you to know the city and understand something about what life is all about!

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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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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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Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour

Selected dates between 12th December 2025 - 27th March 2026
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!

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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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Kilchoman 20th Anniversary Whisky Tasting at The Lost Close

15th December 2025

Step beneath Edinburgh’s historic streets into The Lost Close and join us on December 15th for an exclusive celebration of Kilchoman Distillery’s 20th Anniversary!

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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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Sponsored Links

The Cookbook Shop
Cancer Research UK
The Cogency
King Pins
Fayre Play

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

History Events in Glasgow

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

Theatre Royal Glasgow Building And Heritage Tour

Theatre Royal Glasgow Building And Heritage Tour

Selected dates between 15th November 2025 - 13th December 2025

This exceptional insight into the Theatre Royal Glasgow is your chance to get to know the building like you never have before and grab some historical facts along the way!

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A Winter Walk through European Art

A Winter Walk through European Art

Selected dates between 30th November 2025 - 17th December 2025

Join Pippa, Curator of European Art, as she takes you on a wintery tour around the European art collection at The Burrell Collection.

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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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History Events in Lanarkshire

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

SKIRLING 750

SKIRLING 750

6th December 2025 - 21st December 2025

Biggar Museum are hosting an exhibition to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the first recorded mention of Skirling village, exploring some of the key events in the village's history.

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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:

The Finale: A Night Inside Houston Kiltmakers

The Finale: A Night Inside Houston Kiltmakers

23rd December 2025

To close the 12 Talks of Christmas, Paisley Tours invites you to something truly special, an intimate evening inside Houston Kiltmakers, one of Paisley's oldest and most celebrated family businesses!

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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:

Stirling Old Town Jail Festive Show

Stirling Old Town Jail Festive Show

Selected dates between 6th December 2025 - 21st December 2025

Step Into Christmas Past at Stirling Old Town Jail with our immersive festive performance tours, departing every 30mins during weekends from 6th to 21st December!

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Derailment of Dreams

Derailment of Dreams

17th December 2025

Professor Niall McKenzie gives this talk on George Bennie, a visionary inventor who attempted to launch his futuristic Railplane, an airborne, propeller driven marvel.

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Events in Other Areas

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
The Chocolatarium
ATG

Sponsored Links

The Cookbook Shop
Cancer Research UK
The Cogency
King Pins
Fayre Play
Cancer Research UK
Wonder & Co
Escape The Past
The Chocolatarium
ATG

Popular Events

Candlelight: Coldplay and Ed Sheeran
Get your tickets now and discover the music of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh under the gentle glow of candlelight!
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!
Enlightenment: An Immersive Light Show
Watch the iconic McEwans Hall in Edinburgh come alive with Enlightenment, a spectacular sound and light show, set to the enchanting melodies of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons!
Valentine’s Double Bill - A Candlelight Night at the Opera
Enjoy an amazing value package of candlelight concerts - Debussy's Romantic Piano by Candlelight and Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera at St Cecilia's Hall on 14th February!
Grassmarket Market
Every Saturday the centre of the Grassmarket becomes a flurry of excitement with the arrival of the weekly market... home to art, crafts, jewellery, gifts, not to mention amazing locally made food!

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