Featured Events in Edinburgh in May, 2025 (March Updated)

Paint the beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle with ink and watercolours. This stunning location combines nature with architecture and enjoys fantastic views over the Forth to Fife. On this 3 hour sketching tour, Mark (known locally as EdinburghSketcher) will guide you around the castle grounds, picking out details that will help describe the techniques he has picked up over a decade of sketching around the city. Each class will touch on mark making, perspectives, depth and composition, as you go from 5 minute exercises to relax the hand and work on composition, to 30 minute detailed vistas. Mark’s sketching tours are perfect for all levels, from beginners to those who would like to learn more about his unique speed-sketching style, or to practice sketching with ink and watercolour. A mount to house your finished sketches plus all materials needed on the day are included. This is a walking and sketching tour so come dressed for the Scottish weather! If you have any questions you can email Mark at contact@edinburghsketcher.com All materials are included in the price. Prepare for all weathers, this is an outdoor walking and sketching tour so please do check the forecast before you leave and dress appropriately. I will persevere if there is a little light rain but in the event of extreme weather we have space indoors where I will run the workshop using items from the beach and photographs of the area. The minimum age is 8 years old, and anyone aged 8-15 needs to be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Information Source: Edinburgh Sketcher | eventbrite

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’ You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps. The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

The Great Edinburgh May Day Cabaret returns for the third year running. There’ll be comedy, music and poetry to celebrate International Workers’ Day. Compered by Jim Monaghan, and featuring a fantastic line-up of poetry from Kevin P Gilday, comedy from Vladimir McTavish and music from Calum Baird, Elsie McDonald and Joe Solo. Supported by Fair Pley, The STUC, Allan McDougall Solicitors and The Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders May Day Committee. Doors open 7:30pm Information Source: Calum Baird | eventbrite

Witness the intense showdown at the COWBOY HUNTERS - COWBOY DECIMATION HEADLINE event, taking place in Edinburgh at the Leith Depot on May 1, 2025. Located at 138-142 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 5DT, this thrilling event promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Join us for a captivating display of cowboy skills and talent in a dynamic and immersive setting. Mark your calendars for this exciting gathering of cowboy enthusiasts and experience the ultimate showdown in the world of cowboy hunting.

Mushroomification: Legs, Legs, Legs is a new play that tells the story of a talking mushroom, desperate to break away from the constrictive, authoritarian Mycelium and become an individual. Simultaneously, a Scientist by the name of Karies is working night and day to develop a human hive-mind with the aim of putting all people on equal footing. When the pair have a chance meeting in the woods, they each feel that the other is the key to their salvation. Student Promo Code: STUDENT Information Source: Heads on Crooked Theatre Collective | eventbrite

Following their string of sold-out shows and five-star reviews: a most enchanting concert (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide) masters of their crafts (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe) an atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Corr Blimey) Moonlight Concerts invite you to join world-renowned violinist Emma Jane Lloyd as she takes centre-stage in Vivaldi's breath-taking masterpiece 'The Four Seasons' - a experience that leaves many an audience-goer speechless! Emma is joined by Usher Hall emerging artist and award-winning concert harpsichordist Matthew Shiel for an unforgettable evening of violin excellence and emotional storytelling at St Cecelia's Hall - dating from 1763, the heyday of Vivaldi himself, it is Scotland's oldest concert hall and an architectural icon. St Cecelia's Hall will lend its incredible ancient musical collection including their concert hall organ and harpsichord to transport you back in time to recreate an unforgettable and authentic musical experience from three hundred years ago! Feel the emotional pull of his Largo from his Spring Concerto, as its soaring melodies tug at your heartstrings. Be captivated by the enchanting beauty of his Autumn Concerto, and immerse yourself in the profound emotional depth of Vivaldi's fiery and icy Summer and Winter concertos! Join us for Four Seasons by Candlelight, where each concerto honors the timeless essence of the seasons, showcasing the mesmerizing richness and diversity of the violin's artistry in all its splendor! Emma Jane Lloyd Emma is an internationally-renowned violinist and violist who is currently undertaking a PhD in music at the University of Edinburgh. Her work ranges from period baroque performance to collaborations with composers on cutting-edge new music. She is one half of the violin/electronic duo KUBOV, with Jess Aslan and they are currently working on their first studio album. They also run new music night Sonic Warehouse which aims to promote contemporary performers and their music. Emma was invited to play the world premieres of compositions by: Matthew Sergeant, Ian Vine, Charlie Usher, Gemma McGregor and Jess Aslan. She is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Click HERE for more information Matthew Shiel 'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Moonlight Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.' Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all. moonlightconcerts.co.uk Information Source: Moonlight | eventbrite

Following their string of sold-out shows and five-star reviews: a most enchanting concert (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide) masters of their crafts (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe) an atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Corr Blimey) Moonlight Concerts invite you to join acclaimed Usher Hall and Live Music Now emerging artist Matthew Shiel (winner of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Johann Sebastian Bach Prize) as he plays Classic FM's No.1 harpsichord piece as voted by the general public - Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations. Many listeners are not aware that Bach composed his Goldberg Variations for the harpsichord - the piano was not a popular instrument during Bach's lifetime. We give thanks to St Cecelia's Hall and Musical Instrument Museum which will lend its incredible ancient musical collection including their concert hall organ and harpsichord to transport you back in time for an unforgettable and authentic musical experience from three hundred years ago! Join award-winning concert harpsichordist Matthew Shiel for an unforgettable evening of keyboard excellence and emotional storytelling at St Cecelia's Hall - dating from 1763, the heyday of Bach, it is Scotland's oldest concert hall and an architectural icon. The piece comprises 30 variations on an enchanting melody. Over a meditative hour, the music undergoes transformations through diverse time signatures, textures, and harmonies. Eventually, the initial aria reappears, but with an entirely fresh and striking character. After experiencing the melody reshaped in countless ways, the original simplicity is a profound and mystical musical experience! Join us for Chillout Harpsichord by Candlelight where each variation lingers as a timeless treasure, thoughtfully selected to reveal the richness and variety of the fascinating world of harpsichord in all its glory! Matthew Shiel 'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Moonlight Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.' Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all. moonlightconcerts.co.uk Information Source: Moonlight | eventbrite

Following their string of sold-out shows and five-star reviews: a most enchanting concert (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide) masters of their crafts (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe) an atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Corr Blimey) Moonlight Concerts invite you to join world-renowned Scottish Opera mezzo-soprano Catherine Backhouse (winner of the Sunday Herald Best Musical Artist Award) as she sings captivating opera that will whisk you away to the splendour of the stage! Catherine is joined by Usher Hall emerging artist and award-winning concert harpsichordist Matthew Shiel for an unforgettable evening of vocal excellence and emotional storytelling at St Cecelia's Hall - dating from 1763, the heyday of opera, it is Scotland's oldest concert hall and an architectural masterpiece. St Cecelia's Hall with lend its incredible ancient musical collection including their concert hall organ and harpsichord to transport you back in time for an unforgettable and authentic operatic experience from three hundred years ago! Be moved to tears by Purcell's powerful Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, as its soaring notes beg at your heart; experience the seductive allure of Gluck's Che faro senza Eurdice from Orfeo and Euridice , then surrender to the emotional depth of Handel's poignant arias, Awake Saturnia and Iris hence away from Semele. Join us for An Enchanting Night at the Opera by Candlelight where each song lingers as a timeless treasure, thoughtfully selected to reveal the richness and variety of the fascinating world of opera in all its glory! Programme includes: Handel - 'Awake Saturnia' and 'Iris hence away' from Semele Gluck - 'Ahi me' and 'Che faro senza Eurdice' from Orfeo and Euridice Handel - 'Where shall I fly?' Handel - ‘O Lord, whose mercies numberless’ from Saul Handel - 'Scherza infida' from Ariodante Purcell - 'Thy hand Belinda' and 'When I am laid' (Dido's Lament) from Dido and Aeneas Catherine Backhouse Mezzo-soprano Catherine Backhouse grew up in Edinburgh and began singing as a chorister in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. She graduated with an honours degree in music from The University of Durham and was a founder member of the a cappella group Voces8 with whom she sung for three years before training on the prestigious Opera Studies and Artist Diploma programmes at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She was a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist and won the Sunday Herald Cutlure Award for Best Musical Artist for her performances. Future projects include playing Waltraute in Wagner’s Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung with Regent’s Opera in London. Career highlights include Concepción L’heure Espagnole for Grange Park Opera (film) and Mid-Wales Opera, Isabella L’Italiana in Algeri (Diva Opera), Suzuki Madama Butterfly and Dryad Ariadne auf Naxos (West Green House Opera), Kate Julian Owen Wingrave (Aldeburgh and Edinburgh International Festivals) and the title role in Donizetti’s La Favorite (UCL Opera) Catherine Backhouse | Mezzo Soprano Matthew Shiel 'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Moonlight Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.' Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all. moonlightconcerts.co.uk Information Source: Moonlight | eventbrite

In this workshop you will learn how to make your own animated loops. In a relaxed, pressure free environment, Cat will guide you through the process of sketching out ideas, and transforming those ideas into animations, which you will then view using a traditional animation device called a zoetrope. The animations will be made up of 12 drawings (known as frames). These 12 drawings make roughly 1 second of animation, however, as Zoetropes are circular, we create a movement which repeats and looks continuous. This is called an animated loop. A good example of this kind of repetative movement is a bouncing ball, running animal, or a person on a bike. Your ideas can be as simple and abstract or as detailed as you like. After we view your animations on the zoetrope, we can then capture the images in order to share them digitally. If you have a sketchbook, bring it with you to sketch out ideas. But don't worry if not, there will be plenty of paper available for you to use. After the class you will have your original drawings to take away (if you brought a sketchbook, you can stick them in) and i will send digital files of your animations in mp4 or GIF whichever you prefer. Looking forward to seeing you! A bit more info on Zoetropes The Zoetrope is a19th century device which was used to create the illusion of movement. They are one of the origins of film, one of the first ways to make and view animated loops, you might say it is the original GIF. These cycles usually consist of only 12 drawings (frames), but can be anything up to 25 frames. Information Source: Cat | eventbrite

Welcome to the Back Onside Select V HOLLYOAKS Celebrity Team event! Doors open 11am KO- 12pm Get ready for an exciting & fun football game. Join us on Sun May 11 2025 from 11:00am at Oriam Scotland’s Sport Performance Centre. Watch as the Back Onside Select team takes on the HOLLYOAKS Celebrity Team in a exciting match. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see your favorite celebrities and former and current players in action. See you there! Information Source: Back Onside | eventbrite

Poetry and madness have long been intertwined in the popular imagination. History abounds with poets, whose inspiration and insight into life and the human condition have been attributed to experiences of madness or, in medical terms, mental illness. Poetry has had an important role in the lives of those who have treated madness too. Throughout time psychiatrists have also written poetry in search of creative outlets and new ways of understanding their patients and work. In this two-part workshop, we will explore the poetic representations of madness from two distinct perspectives: the patient's and the doctor's. Examining poems written on both sides of the clinical encounter, we will reflect on poetry's role in capturing the complex experience of mental distress and the relationship between doctor and patient throughout history. Texts will be provided in advance of the sessions. --- Mila Daskalova moved from Bulgaria to Edinburgh in 2012 to study literature and never left. She is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Glasgow interested in the history of psychiatry and the role of literature in the representation and treatment of mental illness. She founded and co-edited Podslon (2021-2022), a Bulgarian magazine that explored mental health and illness through art and literature. She is currently working on her first book, News from the Asylum: The Nineteenth-Century Asylum Periodical in Britain, America and Beyond. Image reused under a CC-BY licence ( 9 artworks depicting the brain | Wellcome Collection) by Sarah Grice. Information Source: Scottish Poetry Library | eventbrite

When Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas first heard the music of fellow countryman Eduardo Martín he felt euphoric. Martín’s style has an expansive sense of freedom that taps into pre Columbus traditions, jazz, flamenco, pop, Afro and traditional Cuban. The guitar is his favored instrument to mirror the melodic and rhythmic intricacies of the Americas’ cultural diversity. Before moving to England, Dickinson Cárdenas took lessons with Eduardo and their friendship, idiosyncratic empathy and mutual respect has since transformed into a vehicle that connects, incorporates and juxtaposes their different generations, their musical ideas and ultimately the spiritual journey that drives this unique record. Our support act for this evening will be local singer songwriter Lindsay Strachan. Hear Lindsay on Stream Rooftop W Harmony by Lindsay Strachan | Listen online for free on SoundCloud Information Source: West Barns Village Hall | eventbrite

Ahead of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final uncover the stories of women and girls who have played the beautiful game in Scotland for over a century - on formal teams, in Scotland’s national squad, or simply in local streets, parks, and backcourts. Fiona Skillen, Karen Fraser and Julie McNeill – joint editors of ‘A Most Unsuitable Game: Celebrating Scottish Women’s Football Fifty Years After the Ban’ - come together to discuss the history of women and football. This event will shine a light on the perseverance and joy of generations of Scottish women footballers and celebrate how far the game has come. About the speakers Professor Fiona Skillen is a Professor of History within the Department of Social Science at the Glasgow School for Business and Society. Her research interests concern modern history, in particular aspects of sport, gender, health and changes in popular culture. Dr Karen Fraser is an independent researcher associated with the University of Stirling. Her main focus remains seeking to uncover the untold history of women’s football in Scotland. Julie McNeill is the Poet-in-residence for St Mirren FC charitable trust and Makar of the Hampden Collection, the first female poet attached to a professional football club (that we know of) anywhere in the world. Her latest poetry collection, ‘We Are Scottish Football’, came out in May 2024. When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. For more information, visit the National Library of Scotland privacy pages, in particular the events notice and feedback and complaints notice. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members. Information Source: National Library of Scotland | eventbrite

Zapraszamy na rockowo-gadany stand up muzyczny Tomasza Karolaka - bilety już w sprzedaży! 50 i co? czyli muzyczne przygody Tomasza. Rockowo gadany stand up muzyczny. Najnowsze dziecko i autorski show Tomasza Karolaka, który jest podsumowaniem jego dotychczasowej drogi jako aktora ale również muzyka i wokalisty. Bogate życie artystyczne, skłoniło artystę do podzielenia się ze światem jego przeżyciami. Cięty a zarazem inteligentny i pozbawiony skrupułów, rockowy język Tomka, wprowadzi Was w świat show biznesu jakiego nie znacie. Stand up przedzielony piosenkami śpiewanymi na żywo przez Tomasza, które towarzyszą mu do tej pory w jego drodze artystycznej. Otwarcie drzwi: 18:00 Początek show: 19:00 Miejsce: Leith Arches, Edynburg Information Source: Sherlock Media Events | eventbrite

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2025 invites participants to join team #MSSuperstars to help in the fight against MS. An early bird offer is available until June 30th, allowing registration for the Edinburgh Half Marathon for £5 and the Edinburgh Marathon for £5 by using specific codes. Other events can be joined for free with a code provided starting from May 24th. The EMF MS Superstars contribute significantly to fundraising efforts each year to combat MS. Participants can choose various events with different registration fees and fundraising targets. Alternatively, participants can register directly for the event. Upon registration, participants receive a free technical MS Superstar running vest, a fundraising pack, access to online training resources, and regular updates. The event offers a supportive environment, including a cheering squad, charity village hospitality, and more. Let's unite to stop MS at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2025.

Zapraszamy na rockowo-gadany stand up muzyczny Tomasza Karolaka - bilety już w sprzedaży! 50 i co? czyli muzyczne przygody Tomasza. Rockowo gadany stand up muzyczny. Najnowsze dziecko i autorski show Tomasza Karolaka, który jest podsumowaniem jego dotychczasowej drogi jako aktora ale również muzyka i wokalisty. Bogate życie artystyczne, skłoniło artystę do podzielenia się ze światem jego przeżyciami. Cięty a zarazem inteligentny i pozbawiony skrupułów, rockowy język Tomka, wprowadzi Was w świat show biznesu jakiego nie znacie. Stand up przedzielony piosenkami śpiewanymi na żywo przez Tomasza, które towarzyszą mu do tej pory w jego drodze artystycznej. Otwarcie drzwi: 18:00 Początek show: 19:00 Miejsce: Leith Arches, Edynburg Information Source: Sherlock Media Events | eventbrite

Paint the beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle with ink and watercolours. This stunning location combines nature with architecture and enjoys fantastic views over the Forth to Fife. On this 3 hour sketching tour, Mark (known locally as EdinburghSketcher) will guide you around the castle grounds, picking out details that will help describe the techniques he has picked up over a decade of sketching around the city. Each class will touch on mark making, perspectives, depth and composition, as you go from 5 minute exercises to relax the hand and work on composition, to 30 minute detailed vistas. Mark’s sketching tours are perfect for all levels, from beginners to those who would like to learn more about his unique speed-sketching style, or to practice sketching with ink and watercolour. A mount to house your finished sketches plus all materials needed on the day are included. This is a walking and sketching tour so come dressed for the Scottish weather! If you have any questions you can email Mark at contact@edinburghsketcher.com All materials are included in the price. Prepare for all weathers, this is an outdoor walking and sketching tour so please do check the forecast before you leave and dress appropriately. I will persevere if there is a little light rain but in the event of extreme weather we have space indoors where I will run the workshop using items from the beach and photographs of the area. The minimum age is 8 years old, and anyone aged 8-15 needs to be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Information Source: Edinburgh Sketcher | eventbrite

Welcome to Mark Malibu & The Wasagas Live in Edinburgh! Get ready for a night of surf rock vibes and groovy tunes at The Wee Red Bar. Canadas Surf Punk pioneers are crashing the UK and you are cordially invited to shake, shimmy and jive with them. They're coming from the Great White North to give you a Great Night Out. Support comes from The Bad Moods and Mariachi Death Squad...let's get ready for a shakedown! Information Source: eventbrite

Welcome to the Corstorphine P7 Football Party! Date: Time: Location: Powerleague Edinburgh Sighthill Come join us for a fun-filled day of football at our P7 Football Party! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Get ready to showcase your moves on the pitch and make new friends along the way. Don't miss out on the chance to score some goals and have a blast with your fellow players. See you there! Information Source: eventbrite