What's On in Edinburgh & The Lothians

Monkeys: Our Primate Family

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk/monkeys

This exhibition explores the remarkable lives of our primate relatives and demonstrates how they have adapted to survive in different habitats. The exhibition brings together more than 50 taxidermy specimens,...

The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ at Highland Wildlife Park

Venue: Highland Wildlife Park

Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

Explore the wonders of nature with The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ at Highland Wildlife Park this summer! From 28 June - 31 August, immerse yourself in Eric Carle's delightful world. Enjoy interactive activities,...

Family Friday Tours

Venue: Trinity House

Address: 99 Kirkgate, Leith

Website: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/trinity-house

Relaxed tour of the house at 11am with activities to suit younger visitors. Discover animals that sailors might meet on their travels and take part in the activity trail. Visit the sixteenth centuries...

Second World War Puzzle Room

Venue: National Museum of Flight

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Problem solving skills and the ability to work out codes were essential skills for people working in the RAF during the Second World War. Work together as a family in the puzzle room and see if you can...

Second World War Satchels

Venue: National Museum of Flight

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Pick up one of the summer activity satchels and delve deeper into the history of the Second World War. Families can use their satchel to explore what it was like for young people to join the RAF during...

Summer Explorers

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo

Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

These 3 hour Summer Explorer sessions are a great opportunity to introduce your children to the wonderful world of wildlife. This active programme includes visiting the amazing animals, playing themed...

Tutankhamun Glasgow: An Immersive Experience

Venue: SEC Centre

Website: www.tutankhamunexperience.com/glasgow

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition brings Ancient Egypt to life like never before, offering a cutting-edge 90-minute journey back in time. Featuring 8-metre high video projections, VR experiences,...

A.L.Ex and the ImproBots: How to Train Your Robot

Venue: Nip at Gilded Balloon Patter House

Address: 3 Chambers St

Website: www.edfringe.com

Hilarious, fast-paced science theatre for the whole family with real robots, games and storytelling. Join the ImproBots in a comically absurd attempt to train their feisty robot A.L.Ex to be the funniest...

Assembly Festival

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.assemblyfestival.com/venues

Assembly Festival returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this August with a programme of 220+ shows featuring circus, theatre, magic, children's shows and much more.

Cinderella Ice Cream Seller – A Musical

Venue: Ermintrude at Underbelly, Bristo Square

Address: Teviot Place,

Website: www.edfringe.com

Perfect for the whole family, this exciting musical retelling of a fairy tale classic promises a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music and theatrical magic that will capture your heart...

Circus The Show

Venue: Assembly George Square Gardens

Website: www.edfringe.com

Prepare to enter a world of whimsy, wonder and amazement where your imagination will soar like never before, in this completely re-imagined family circus spectacular – perfect for the entire family!...

Escape from the Bubble Tub

Venue: main house at C ARTS

Address: 28 Lauriston Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

A fun, engaging show featuring puppets and bubbles. Our hero, Bubbles, leaves the mundane bubble tub behind to embark on an exciting adventure across the globe!You will see a bubble volcano, a tornado...

Fast Fringe: Family Edition

Venue: 140 Orchard at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower

Address: 11 Crichton Street, Newington

Website: www.edfringe.com

So many comedians, so little time! In this unmissable Fringe institution, 12 top comedy and variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced showcase, hosted by the best MCs around...

House of Oz and The Sonicrats

Venue: Pleasance Courtyard

Website: www.edfringe.com

A magical, musical science experiment that turns people into instruments! Two scientists take kids on a wild ride where movement becomes music, turning anything and everything into musical instruments....

Mark Thompson's Spectacular Science Show

Venue: Gilded Balloon at the Museum

Website: www.edfringe.com

Designed for children and adults alike, Mark's Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant's toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and even howling...

The Listies: Make Some Noise

Venue: Assembly George Square Studios

Website: www.edfringe.com

Make Some Noise! is a comedy concert for humans aged 4-400. Join Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to 11. Hilarious, fabulous fun for the whole family!

The Mequetrefo

Venue: Friesian at Underbelly

Website: www.edfringe.com

In this family-friendly show created by Parlapatões, a renowned Brazilian theatre and circus company, four clowns, called 'Dias' (Portuguese for 'days'), embark on a journey through the day, filled with...

45-Minute Song Contest for Kids

Venue: Laughing Horse@ West Nic Records

Website: www.edfringe.com

Children are invited on stage to play instruments and sing in an instant percussion band while writing an all-new song together. The show is led by international opera singer Steph DePrez, who began her...

Abracadadbod!

Venue: Just The Fancy Room at Just the Tonic at The Caves

Address: 253 Cowgate

Website: www.edfringe.com

Frostie and his puppet pal The Cheese Monster make their Edinburgh debut with Abracadadbod!, a wild whirlwind of cartoon capers, mind-blowing magic, hilarious ventriloquism and parody songs. It's a feel-good...

Amazing Bubble Man

Venue: McEwan Hall at Underbelly, Bristo Square

Address: Teviot Place

Website: www.edfringe.com

Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised. The Amazing Bubble Man...

Billy Banana's Brilliant Bingo – Kids Show

Venue: Main Cellar at Laughing Horse @ West Nic Records

Address: 32b W Nicolson St

Website: www.edfringe.com

Billy Banana's Brilliant Bingo returns with a high energy interactive extravaganza of a show. Expect jokes galore, plenty of prizes, music, games, routines and much more. Join children's entertainer and...

CeilidhKids at the Fringe

Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House (Ballroom)

Website: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ceilidhkids-at-the-fringe

Ceilidh for families with children aged 3-7, but all welcome. Skip, clap and march to traditional Scottish music, enjoying simplified dances that you might find at a ceilidh or Scottish dance. See them...

Children Are Stinky

Venue: Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens

Website: www.edfringe.com

High calibre circus, a rocking soundtrack and genuine belly laughs have thrilled audiences all over the globe. Expect daredevil stunts, incredible aerials, lightning-fast acrobatics, loads of laughs and...

Mr Sleepybum's Dream Machine

Venue: Upstairs at Assembly Roxy

Website: www.edfringe.com

Mr Sleepybum is back with a new show: a zany, high-energy kids' comedy about a man unable to dream. He constructs a wacky dream machine that creates outrageous, hilarious dreams. Chaos ensues as wild dreams...

Olaf Falafel's Stupidest Super Stupid Show – New Improved Recipe

Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House

Website: www.edfringe.com

After last year’s sell-out run, comedian and children's author Olaf Falafel is dishing up another frying pan full of family-friendly comedy. Expect drawing, jokes and maybe a poo on a pogo stick!

Rik Carranza Presents: Marvel vs DC

Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Counting House

Website: www.edfringe.com

Which is the true home of heroes – Marvel or DC? In this interactive show, kids battle it out on behalf of their heroes in games and challenges designed to assemble the greatest superhero team! Join...

The Bubble Show

Venue: Piccolo Tent at Assembly George Square Gardens

Website: www.edfringe.com

This is an original, interactive adventure, where the fusion of magic, storytelling and science converge in a breathtaking display of bubble artistry. Whether you're a wide-eyed child or a child at heart,...

The Rudest Science Show for Kids

Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters

Website: www.edfringe.com

The man behind Science Magic is back with a brand new science show looking at the gross side of biology. Multi award-winning comedian and scientist Donal Vaughan talks about all the bits nobody else wants...

Aladdin

Venue: Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St

Address: Niddry Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

Let the magic of the Arabian Nights come alive through colourful costumes, backdrop, inventive story-telling and original songs that will have you singing long after you have left the theatre. Watch Aladdin’s...

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Venue: Edinbugh - Various venues

Website: www.edfringe.com

For three weeks in August, Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe. Artists and performers present shows that span many genres including cabaret, children's shows, comedy,...

Family Magic

Venue: Theatre 3 at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall

Address: Nicolson Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

The legendary magician The Great Baldini tells the story of his and Baldwin the magical dog’s life from their first tricks to the height of their careers: attempting Houdini’s greatest escape. The...

Pleasance Kidzone

Venue: 60 Pleasance

Website: www.pleasance.co.uk

The Pleasance's family-friendly Kidzone is back at the Pleasance Courtyard this Fringe, with all the usual arts and crafts activities available in their weather-proof pods. Stop by to enjoy a designated...

The Caterpillar and the Blackbird

Time: 12.10

Venue: TheSpace @ Surgeons' Hall - Gran Theatre

Website: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-caterpillar-and-the-blackbird#venues www.narradance.com

Making its premier appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is this colourful jukebox musical for kids and families of all ages. August 1 – 9 at the Grand Theatre: Surgeons Hall, it’s...

A Christmas Carol: A One-Woman Family Christmas Panto – in August!

Venue: Upstairs Bar at PBH's Free Fringe @ BrewDog Doghouse Hotel

Address: 5 New Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

A hilarious, energetic pantomime based on Dickens’ favourite Christmas tale. With audience participation, cracker jokes, puppetry and familiar Christmas cheer – Yes! In August! Oh yes it is! Come to...

Abracadabra Family-Friendly Magic Show

Venue: LAB at PBH's Free Fringe @ CC Blooms

Address: 23-24 Greenside Place

Website: www.edfringe.com

Returning for his fifth year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with an all-new, children's magic show. Get ready for laughter and fun in an interactive show that will have the whole family having an amazing...

All Star Circus

Venue: The Beauty at Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows

Address: The Meadows

Website: www.edfringe.com

Experience world-class circus talent performing extraordinary feats right before your eyes! Amazing backflips, one-arm handstands, incredible human pyramids, graceful aerialists and more inspiring acts...

Trash Test Dummies Circus

Venue: Circus Hub on the Meadows

Website: www.edfringe.com

Everyone put your rubbish out, tonight’s bin night and the Trash Test Dummies are on duty! This award-winning, side-splitting, slapstick comedy, circus routine retakes the household wheelie bin to new...

A Magic Morning!

Venue: Little Plaza at PBH's Free Fringe @ Little Plaza

Address: 24 Haddington Place

Website: www.edfringe.com

Looking for family fun during the Fringe? This is it! Madcap magical mischief and great fun with one of Edinburgh’s most entertaining magicians. Tim Licata astounds audiences throughout Scotland with...

Captain Narwhal’s Pirates vs French Dinosaurs

Venue: Studio at theSpace @ Niddry St

Website: www.edfringe.com

Captain Narwhal's happy band are at it again, stealing treasure from the local town. Only this time, they’ve taken more than they bargained for... Join them in their quest to right their wrongs whilst...

Meet the Fire Dogs

Venue: Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

Website: www.museumofscottishfireheritage.org

Drop in to meet Mac and Coorie – SFRS search and rescue dogs – along with their handler Gary Carroll KFSM, Crew Commander, Scottish FRS USAR Instructor and USAR Dog Handler. Join them for a display...

A Puppet Zoo Adventure!

Venue: The Live Room at Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters

Address: 139 Cowgate

Website: www.edfringe.com

Puppet Zoo Adventure is a delightful blend of laughter and learning where animals come to life! Join Steph and Layla as they explore the zoo and the animals that need your help! This 45-minute interactive...

Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Corn Exchange

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

A tale as old as time…The Brunton Performing Arts Network bring this much-loved Disney musical to Haddington Corn Exchange. Their talented community cast are supported by a professional production team.

FlamenKids

Venue: 111 Church at Edinburgh New Town Church

Address: 13 George Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

If your child enjoys music or dance, this is a unique chance to explore the vibrant world of Spanish culture and flamenco art. The show introduces rhythms, dance movements, clapping, guitar, singing, castanets,...

A Slow Tale

Venue: Stephenson Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall

Address: Nicolson Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

Join the adventures of Moody, the slowest snail in the forest, as he faces his fears and discovers the hidden power of his mind. Teased by others and facing life-threatening challenges, Moody’s journey...

Go!

Venue: 117 Nicolson Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

GO! is at the crossroads of contemporary dance, martial arts and digital technology. In a choreography impregnated by the martial practice of the two dancers, these universes meet and mix to create a duet...

Fantastic Mr Fox

Venue: 39 Space 2 at theSpace on the Mile

Address: 80 High Street

Website: www.edfringe.com

Join this feisty, funny, physical take on Roald Dahl's cast-iron classic fable and watch our three foul farmers get their fiendish, foxy comeuppance in intriguing new ways...A perfect treat for families...

Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival

Venue: Various Venues, Campbeltown

Website: www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk

An event for all the family which celebrates traditional and contemporary Scottish, Irish and Pan Celtic music. Based on the peninsula of Kintyre, the event has a great mix of free outdoor events, ticketed...

The Disco Duckling

Venue: Theatre at PASS Theatre

Address: Edinburgh College, Granton Campus

Website: www.edfringe.com

Follow the journey of a duckling who dreams of dancing but struggles to fit in with the other birds. When the disco DJ appears at the pond, it opens up a whole new world of rhythm. Perfect for the whole...

360 Fest

Venue: National Museum of Flight

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

You’ll be on a roll this September with this all round family fun event. From stunt shows and pedal-powered activities to interactive sessions and STEM science, there’s something to set everyone’s...

Hopeful Monsters

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Hopeful Monsters is a piece of tabletop puppetry for adults and children aged 5+ inspired by evolutionary theory. The action is set to an emotive soundtrack and is non-verbal.

Loretto Junior School Open Day

Venue: Loretto School

Website: www.loretto.com

See Junior pupils in action with a guided tour from Year 7 pupils and Head of Junior School, Mrs Catherine Beddison. All guests are invited to stay for afternoon tea. Open Days are kept purposefully small,...