History Events in Edinburgh in January 2026
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh during January 2026, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
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.
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Cold War Scotland
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
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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Conservation Hangar Talks
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
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
To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.
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Resistance
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
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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Christmas @ The Deacon’s Cabinet Escape Room
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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Fabulous Old Town Tour
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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Drawing the Italian Renaissance: Curator’s Introduction
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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Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour
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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Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
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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Community Connections
Each month in the beautiful and historic Abbey Strand Centre, Community Connections will explore themes from across the Royal Collection and the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Edinburgh Dunhuang Mineral Pigment Painting Workshop
Unleash your creativity, step into the world of ancient art and discover the beauty of Dunhuang cave paintings in this 2 hour workshop at POP Coffee on Thursday 15th January!
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John Roy Stuart - Latha Chuilodair
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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Edinburgh Forgotten Women
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!
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King’s Gallery: Guided Looking
Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, at The King's Gallery in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as she describes various images in the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance.
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An Edinburgh Burns Night at The Real Mary King’s Close
Join us at The Real Mary King's Close for a unique Burns Night experience filled with poetry, history, Scottish dishes and Scotch whisky!
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Blood and Guts: The Twists and Turns of Edinburgh’s Medical History - Walking Tour
Join Surgeons' Hall Museums on their 5* weekend walking tour through Edinburgh’s old town and hear tales of old Edinburgh, disease, dissection and curious methods of treatment!
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Parkaeology
Join archaeologist Rachel Pickering on Sunday 25th January and hear about the history and archaeology of Holyrood Park!
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Showcase: Ripley Alchemical Scroll
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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History Events in East Renfrewshire
History Events in Fife
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
The Herring Year : Following the Fish, the Fleet and the Folk around the Coast
Every year the shoals of herring moved around the coasts of Britain and every year an army of workers followed them. This exhibition, by local artist Jake Brown, illustrates the routes they took.
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Curator’s Tour
Come along for a guided tour of St Andrews Heritage Museum and Garden with Museum Manager / Curator Sam Walker and learns about the history of the house and it’s former occupants!
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Gu’un the fish n’ that
Gu’un the fish n’ that is an immersive sound installation by East Anglian based artist Beverley Carruthers, celebrating the migrant worker and their importance to the fishing industry.
READ MOREHistory Events in Glasgow
Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Gothic Glasgow
Join Gothic Glasgow's sinister host Vincent (The Man in the Hat), for a unique evening walking tour uncovering Glasgow's ghostly, strange, supernatural, creepy history!
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Pollokshields Heritage Talk: Pollokshields and Glasgow from the Archive of Historic Environment Scotland
Pollokshields Heritage hosts a range of talks, which explore history and heritage as well as arts and culture. Join them on January 20th for 'Pollokshields and Glasgow from the Archive of HES'.
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St Mungo Festival
St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow, is celebrated during the city's official St Mungo Festival held annually in January!
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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 Christian Shaw Legacy - History Talk
Join the Urban Historian at Paisley St George's Church for this history talk and discover the legacy of Christian Shaw, best known as the 11 year old girl involved in the 1697 Bargarran witchhunt.
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Here's a selection of History Events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Burns an’ a’ that
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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An Introduction to Ice Age Art
Paul Bahn gives this lecture on the main techniques employed, the pigments, the lighting methods and some of the reasons why this art corpus comprises some of the greatest imagery ever produced.
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Gartmore Heritage Society: The Adventure of Being Cunninghame Graham
Come and hear the remarkable story of one of the most important and influential figures in Scottish History when Gartmore Heritage Society host their next event at the Black Bull Inn on January 21st.
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Highlight Talks
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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