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,...

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,...

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,...

Autumn at Doodles

Venue: 27-29 Marchmont Cres

Website: www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

Fancy doing something fun and creative with the kids? Head along to Doodles for some pottery painting fun. They have all different shapes of pottery, from mugs and bowls, to figurines and plant pots. Dozens...

Bikeability Scotland

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.cycling.scot/bikeability-scotland

Free, in-school programme that is supported by a network of qualified instructors, who are often teachers, parents, and members of the local community. You can check to see if your child’s school currently...

Crafternoons

Venue: Main Hall of the Scottish Parliament

Website: www.parliament.scot

Looking for something fun to do with the kids on the weekend? Crafternoons offer a range of activities for all ages. There's no need to book, just walk in and join the sessions taking place between 11am...

Edinburgh Leisure Sports Coaching

Venue: Various Edinburgh Leisure venues

Website: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Edinburgh Leisure offers fun, active sessions for all ages and abilities, from climbing and diving to tennis, gymnastics, swimming, and more. With certificates and exciting events throughout the year,...

Family Robotics Play

Venue: Little Plaza

Website: www.littleplaza.co.uk/kidsrobotics

Introduce your child to the world of robotics through hands-on exploration of robotics parts. It's a chance for them to engage in creative learning while allowing the expert instructor to assess if they...

First Class Learning

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

FCL Centres offer Maths, English, and science tuition, fully aligned with the national curriculum. Each child benefits from a personalised study plan, closely monitoring progress to ensure they achieve...

Giants

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive,...

LS Tuition

Venue: 11 Harewood Road

Website: https://lydias-tuition.co.uk/

Is your child struggling with their learning? Do you feel they would benefit from, and maybe even grow to enjoy, their school environment more if they felt more supported in their educational journey?...

Lyceum Youth Theatre

Venue: The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh

Website: www.lyceum.org.uk/take-part/young-people/lyt

Lyceum Youth Theatre offer classes a range of classes; Play (ages 5-7), Mini's (ages 8-10), Juniors (ages 11-13) and Seniors (ages 14-18). Each session challenges members to become strong performers whilst...

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Venue: Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Website: www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200281/snowsports_centre

Head to Midlothian Snowsports Centre - Scotland’s hub of high-energy fun for all ages (4+). It’s the perfect activity for competitive family fun and unforgettable memories.Summer ski and snowboard...

PQA Edinburgh East Lothian

Venue: Wallyford Learning Campus

Website: www.pqacademy.com/academies/edinburgh-east-lothian

From writing and directing their own scripts to performing on stage or working behind the camera, PQA gives young people the tools to discover self-belief. No matter their background or experience, every...

The Meadows Junior Parkrun

Venue: The Meadows

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/themeadows-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9.30am. Free to join but register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in...

Craigies Pumpkin Festival

Venue: Craigies Farm

Website: www.craigies.co.uk

1-10 October is for PYO pumpkins only, snap some pics and be one of the first to take a pumpkin home. 11–31 October is when the fun really starts with towering bale climbs, twisting bale mazes, and barrel...

The Enchanted Forest

Venue: Loch Dunmore Faskally Wood, Pitlochry

Website: www.enchantedforest.org.uk

The forest trail is a gentle walk which is family-friendly, and is accessible for wheelchairs and prams so whether you’re visiting with kids, or looking for a romantic autumn evening, you’ll find it...

Monsters and Myths Trail

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Uncover monsters and myths this Halloween at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.From Halloween favourites including zombies, vampires and Frankenstein’s Monster – to legends from Scottish folklore such as...

Big Wild Halloween Trail

Venue: RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

Website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochleven

Can you help find all of the spooky items hidden around the reserve in this Halloween treasure hunt? Pick up your treasure map at the Visitor Centre and see how many objects you can find! Then have a go...

The Paper Dolls

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden. Based on the original book The Paper...

Comic Con Scotland 2025

Venue: Royal Highland Centre

Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk

Comic Con Scotland is the best place to celebrate all things pop culture. As well as having the chance to meet your heroes, get an item signed or a photo, many guests will also appear live on stage so...

Discovering Ponds

Venue: RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

Website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochleven

Join RSPB Loch Leven for a fun guided pond dipping session for families. Led by a knowledgeable guide, spend an hour using your pond dipping net and tray to discover what can be found in our ponds. From...

October Half Term: Make Do and Mend

Venue: National Museum of Flight

Website: www.nms.ac.uk/events/make-do-and-mend

Make Do and Mend was a government campaign during the Second World War to teach people how to repair and reuse existing clothing to help them get through the clothing shortage. During October half term,...

The Awakening at Almond Valley

Venue: Almond Valley

Website: www.almondvalley.co.uk

Visitors can enjoy spooktacular installations, embark on a fiendish scavenger hunt, journey on the Ghost Train and pick their perfect pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch. The Awakening promises spine-tingling...

The Family Magic Show

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Legendary magician The Great Baldini tells the story of his (and Baldwin the magical dog’s) life from his first trick to the height of their career – attempting Houdini’s greatest escape. The show...

October Holiday Club

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Join the Dynamic Earth team for four days of discovery and adventure with their October Holiday Club in Edinburgh. Each day, your child will explore different topics in Earth science including space exploration...

Puppet Magic!

Venue: National Mining Museum

Website: www.nationalminingmuseum.com

Step into a world of wonder with a magical puppet show full of laughs, tricks, and surprises! Then, let your imagination take the stage as you make your very own puppet to take home. A perfect mix of magic...

The Big Draw at Lauriston Castle

Venue: Lauriston Castle

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com/events/big-draw-lauriston-castle-3

Visit the Castle courtyard just past Mimi’s and collect a drawing board, paper and pencil from the Castle courtyard, and immerse yourself in nature. Take time to notice the smells and sounds of the insects...

The McDougalls: Halloween Party

Venue: Church Hill Theatre

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com/events/the-mcdougalls-halloween-party

Packed with singalong songs and ghoulish games such as The Hokey Kokey, Incy Wincy Spider, and Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, this is a wickedly entertaining day out for the whole family this October....

Autumn Explorers

Venue: Highland Wildlife Park

Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk

This active programme includes visiting the amazing animals, playing themed games and taking part in a range of exciting activities whilst exploring the wonderful site in the heart of the Cairngorms National...

Mark Thompson's Spectacular Science Show

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

You think science is boring? Think again! Mark’s Spectacular Science Show brings science to life for children and adults alike with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins, and...

River Dipping – Kids Event

Venue: Water of Leith Visitor Centre

Website: www.waterofleith.org.uk

Fun afternoon in the river discovering what lives below the surface. Suitable for 5 to 10 year olds, accompanying adult free of charge book only for the child / children. Wear wellies if you have them.1.30-3.30pm.

Artie's Singing Kettle - Halloween

Venue: Corn Exchange

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Take your Halloween spirit and don your most creative costume for a show bursting with magic and merriment. Solve brand-new spooky Singing Kettle mysteries, and sing along with favourites like Bunny Fou...

Autumn Antics

Venue: Water of Leith Visitor Centre

Website: www.waterofleith.org.uk

Explore how the colder weather is changing the plants and animals in the woods and delve beneath the surface to see what life is thriving at this time of year and enjoy seasonal outdoor creative activities....

Dino Tales- Jurassic Rescue

Venue: Assembly Rooms

Address: 54 George Street

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

With a captivating story, interactive activities throughout and an immersive finale that will bring the house down, Dino Tales is an unforgettable fun-filled family adventure starring Europe’s largest...

Loch Leven at Night: Pond Dipping, Bat Watching and Campfire

Venue: RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

Website: https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochleven

Explore the reserve in the dark with torches, take part in pond dipping and listen out for bats using bat detectors and finish up with marshmallows around the campfire. This is an outdoor event so dress...

Discovery Shorts for Wee Ones (3+)

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Always a popular feature of Discovery Film Festival, this collection of six short films for our youngest viewers is sure to delight and amuse.All these short films are dialogue free. These magical tales...

K-Pop Dance, Sing, Learn Demon Combat Workshop

Venue: Wallyford Learning Campus

Website: www.pqacademy.com/academies/edinburgh-east-lothian

Join PQA for an action-packed morning where you’ll learn high-energy K-Pop dance moves, sing your heart out to your favourite tracks and master fun “demon combat” stage skills! Limited spaces –...

Little Scare-lings 2025 - Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats

Venue: Dobbies Garden Centre Livingston

Website: www.dobbies.com/livingston

Includes a spooktacular Halloween-themed afternoon tea, potion commotion: Stir, bubble and brew your own magical potion to take home, Wizard's slime lab: Where things get delightfully gooey, Wand workshop...

A Home for Hamish

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Blending playful dance and British Sign Language in a rich sensory world, A Home for Hamish follows May and their imaginary friend Hamish the Haggis on a journey across Scotland in search of the perfect...

Princess Afternoon Tea

Venue: Hampden Park

Address: Glasgow

Website: www.hampdenpark.co.uk/whats-on/upcoming

A perfect afternoon of fairytale fun for little princes and princesses. Includes a meet and greet with princesses, interactive games, exciting prizes to be won and a delicious children's afternoon tea....

Lights of the North

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.sisf.org.uk

Over 11 days, some of the North’s most celebrated storytellers will join leading voices from Scotland to bring a feast of world-class storytelling, music, workshops, and shared experiences to Edinburgh...

Family Fright Nights

Venue: Almond Valley

Website: www.almondvalley.co.uk

With devilish interactive delights lurking around every corner - inlcuding the Wicked Woodland Trail, Ghost Train, Ghoul Splat, Spooky Storytellers, Circus Performers, and Dark Archaeology - The Awakening...

Curiosity Club

Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Website: www.nms.ac.uk

Leave your grown-ups at the door and get curious with Curiosity Club sessions. Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum...

Dino's: Wonderful Woodlands

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Join Dino’s Saturday Science Club for children ages 6 to 12. Enjoy a variety of science activities and a take home craft. Learn how to identify different trees and forest types, and even create your...

Pup-kin Patch 2025

Venue: Dobbies Garden Centre Livingston

Website: www.dobbies.com/livingston

Take your furry friends to this special dog-friendly event where your pup can pick their very own autumn-themed toy from the doggie pumpkin patch,  snap some fabulous photos and make memories to last...

Fright at the Museum

Venue: Usher Hall

Website: www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk

Help, Owen’s lost in the museum at Halloween! Who knows who (or what!) he’ll encounter in those frightful hallways when night comes. Will the extinct animals come out to dance in the moonlight? Or...

Hallowe'en Magic School

Venue: Lauriston Castle

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

Learn, create and perform your own magic at a spooky, magic workshop this Halloween. Learn to perform incredible magic and make new wizard friends. No previous magic experience necessary. Suitable for...

Quiet Afternoon

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

During quiet afternoons, you will find reduced visitor numbers and a designated quiet space for all to use. Additionally, all videos in the galleries will be captioned and the 5pm Planetarium show includes...

Tweeddale Stars

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Showcasing the best local talent! Enjoy a vibrant mix of music, theatre, comedy, and surprises from Peebles’ favourite performers, all coming together to support the Eastgate Theatre. A fun-filled evening...

Halloween Family Ghost Tour of the Lady Vic

Venue: National Mining Museum

Website: www.nationalminingmuseum.com

Visit after hours this Halloween for a thrilling family ghost tour around the historic Lady Victoria Colliery. As darkness falls, you’ll hear eerie tales and ghostly legends from centuries past—and...

Newhailes haunted house tour (kids’ edition)

Venue: Newhailes House and Garden

Website: www.nts.org.uk

Go on a grisly adventure inside Newhailes House. This is not for the faint-hearted and not suitable for younger children. The tour includes frightening fictional anecdotes, including sound effects and...

Dino's: Monstrous Myths

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Join Dino’s Saturday Science Club (Ages 6-12), enjoy a variety of hands on activities and a take home craft. This week they'll be celebrating spooky season by learning about fascinating myths and monsters...

KIDZ BOP

Venue: Usher Hall

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids, today announces the UK leg of the KIDZ BOP Live Certified BOP Tour 2025. Aleah, Cliff, Matty and Shila – will take the stage to perform the biggest BOPs from the...

Broomstick training at Newhailes

Venue: Newhailes House and Garden

Website: www.nts.org.uk

Visit Newhailes House and Garden for a spellbinding session where young witches and wizards will learn the basics of broomstick flying – how to hold, fly and manoeuvre their sticks like true pros. Three...

Edinburgh Diwali 2025 (Festival of Light)

Venue: Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

Save the date and block your diaries for a day filled with joy, vibrant colours, delicious food, fireworks and soulful performances. Experience the magic of Diwali in Edinburgh City Centre. Includes a...

Fawkes Festival

Venue: Royal Highland Centre

Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk

Get ready to be blown away as Fawkes Festival lights up the Royal Highland Centre this autumn. Featuring cutting-edge pyrotechnics, immersive live entertainment and an epic fireworks display. Expect an...

Edinburgh Gang Show 2025

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

With powerful music, hilarious comedy, dramatic moments and incredible choreography the Edinburgh Gang Show has to be seen to be believed. The gang of Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Explorers and Rangers...

George Heriot's School In Action Morning

Venue: Lauriston Place

Website: www.george-heriots.com

Heriot’s is a leading independent school in Scotland that welcomes children of all backgrounds aged 4 to 18 to flourish. Pupils learn side by side, with both Junior and Senior School on one historic...

Dino's Ancient Archaeology

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Join Dino’s Saturday Science Club (Ages 6-12), enjoy a variety of hands on activities and a take home craft. This week learn about ancient people through the work of archaeologists. Discover how humans...

Relaxed Opening Hours: November

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Dynamic Earth’s Relaxed Opening Hours aim to provide a calm and inclusive environment for visitors. Designed for those who would benefit from a more relaxed visit, but open to everyone. These sessions...

Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo

Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

For the first time since 2019, the spectacular outdoor lantern trail is making a comeback – this time with an underwater twist! From dazzling jellyfish to towering sea turtles, get ready to explore a...

Dino's: Endangered Scotland

Venue: Dynamic Earth

Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Join Saturday Science Sessions with Dino’s (Ages 6-12), enjoy a variety of hands on activities and a take home craft. Learn about the clever ways some of animals combat tricky conditions to survive,...

Castle of Light: Fire and Ice

Venue: Edinburgh Castle

Website: www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/castle-of-light

Castle of Light returns for its sixth year. Prepare to be mesmerised by the enchanting forces of fire and Ice as these two powerful elements intertwine throughout the castle to create unmissable immersive...

Edinburgh's Magical Christmas

Venue: Lauriston Castle

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

Witness startling magic and uplifting mystery, inspired by history and legends of the city of Edinburgh, in a lavish, historic setting. This show has sold out in previous years, so book early to avoid...

The Snow Queen

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

From the bustle of a winter’s market to the shivers of a fairytale forest, take a journey to the Snow Queen’s palace, where you’ll find her surrounded by the icy fragments of an enchanted mirror....

Cinderella: A Fairytale

Venue: The Royal Lyceum

Website: www.lyceum.org.uk

Sally Cookson's celebrated adaptation of Cinderella will delight the whole family this Christmas in a new production from The Lyceum. With music and puppetry, this festive story adds a magical flutter...

The Wizard of Oz

Venue: Howden Park Centre

Website: www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk

Follow Dorothy as she makes her way through the magical land of Oz with an unlikely group of friends in a journey to get herself back over the rainbow. To get home she just needs to get herself, a brainless...

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: An Immersive Experience

Venue: Royal Highland Centre

Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk

From Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Sunflowers to Monet’s Water Lilies and Impression, Sunrise, their iconic works are freed from their frames and transformed into moving, immersive worlds. An experience...

Snow Queen Pantomime

Venue: National Mining Museum

Website: www.nationalminingmuseum.com

The perfect way to start the festive season, this enchanting show has everything you love about a Geez a Break pantomime – laughter, songs, and plenty of festive fun! A family-friendly performance that’s...

Peebles Youth Theatre: Sleeping Beauty

Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre

Website: www.eastgatearts.com

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, magic, and mischievous mayhem as this beloved tale comes to life on stage. Whether you’re clapping along, laughing out loud, or booing the...

The Nutcracker

Venue: Usher Hall

Website: www.sco.org.uk

From the delicate ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ to the elegant ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker conjures all the magic and wonder of Christmas – and it’s as much of...

Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Portobello Town Hall

Website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/stagedoorentsuk/e-mqpgyv

Back by popular demand, Porty Panto returns for its third consecutive year, and this time it promises to be a BEAST of a pantomime! Filled with much-loved music, and hilarious comedy, Beauty and the Beast...

The Wizard of Oz - Pantomime

Venue: Corn Exchange

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Join Dorothy and a whole host of familiar faces on a whirlwind journey bursting with chart-topping pop hits, toe-tapping original tunes, shout-out loud silliness and plenty of local laughs. Expect flying...

Children's Classic Concerts Christmas Wishes

Venue: Usher Hall

Website: www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk

‘Tis the season to be jolly, so let’s make this the best Christmas yet! Make all your Christmas Wishes come true with Children’s Classic Concerts, the RSNO, the RSNO Children's Chorus and the Manor...

Jack and The Beanstalk

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Jack and the Beanstalk will be spectacularly brought to life by sensational song and dance numbers, fantastic special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime!

Dunedin Consort Children’s Messiah

Venue: The Queen's Hall

Website: www.thequeenshall.net

Guided by Mr Handel, and his footwoman Frances, this specially devised 45-minute adaptation of Handel’s masterpiece will guide young listeners through some of his greatest hits, with plenty of fun and...

RSNO Season 25-26: Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman

Venue: Usher Hall

Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com

This family-friendly concert is packed full of your favourite sing-along carols and festive melodies, including Consider the Penguin and Schneewalzer. Plus the enchanting film The Snowman shown on the...

Snowy

Venue: Festival Theatre

Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Meet Snowy, a curious little pup with a nose for mischief and a heart full of adventure. When she accidentally throws the city’s festive celebrations into chaos, Snowy must put things right – but can...

The Wizard of Oz - Pantomime

Venue: Loretto School Theatre

Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk

Join Dorothy and a whole host of familiar faces on a whirlwind journey bursting with chart-topping pop hits, toe-tapping original tunes, shout-out loud silliness and plenty of local laughs. Expect flying...