Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
A summer of festivals!
After a summer of cancellation in 2020, this year Edinburgh’s festivals are making a return, albeit in very different forms to years gone by. Here’s the rundown of what to expect this summer in the city.
Edinburgh International Book Festival, 14-30 August, www.edbookfest.co.uk
An online programme of live events for school pupils from P1 to S6. The Baillie Gifford Schools Programme offers daily talks and readings which are free to view and are accompanied by a learning resource. The Baillie Gifford Gala Day for primary pupils is on August 31, with eight events specially curated for younger audiences. All events can be watched live, with opportunities for pupils to put questions to the authors, or viewed on catch up.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 6-30 August, www.edfringe.com
The Fringe has announced it will be back this year with a mixture of live events with an audience and online events. There are a range of children's shows from theatre to storytelling, humour to learning. The ever-popular street events are returning as well. And, new shows are being added each week so keep an eye on the website.
Edinburgh International Festival, 7-29 August, www.eif.co.uk
The International Festival will run from three spaces in the city including Edinburgh Park and Edinburgh’s Old College Quad using temporary outdoor pavilions, with socially distanced seating and shorter performances with no intervals. There will also be a selection of free streamed performances each week.
Edinburgh International Film Festival, 18-25 August, www.edfilmfest.org.uk
Edinburgh International Film Festival will return in a new and innovative form this summer running 18- 25 August 2021. Championing Scottish and UK filmmaking, the Festival will include physical screenings and events indoors in Filmhouse Cinema and outdoors with Film Fest in the City in St Andrew Square, in a rich and diverse programme celebrating the return to cinemas and the collective cinema experience. The festival will also be available to audiences across the UK through its online platform, Filmhouse at Home, where alongside the films viewers can access Q&As and hear first-hand the insights, experiences and passions of directors, filmmakers and actors.
Edinburgh Art Festival, 29 July - 29 August, edinburghartfestival.com
The festival will see more than 35 exhibitions across the city, alongside a digital programme of events.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The tattoo’s 2021 show is cancelled.