This page contains affiliate links. Edinburgh Tourist may receive a small commission if you click through to a partner site and make a purchase. This is at no extra cost to you. To find out more about the advertising that funds this website, please read Privacy Policy.
What’s On Guide Edinburgh May 2026
May is a mild spring month in Edinburgh, with an average temperature of 10°C. In Scotland we celebrate Whisky Month throughout May. There are also many fantastic attractions to visit, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Here’s what’s on in Edinburgh in May 2026.
All details given here are subject to change or error, and no tickets are sold on this website. Please contact the event organisers directly for the most up-to-date information and ticket sales.
Music, theatre and comedy
- Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, Edinburgh Playhouse, 1 May
- Out With The Buckleys, Usher Hall, 1 May
- Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of Tea, Edinburgh Playhouse, 2 May
- Sunny Afternoon, Edinburgh Playhouse, 5 – 9 May
- The Charlatans, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, 6 May
- Macbeth, Edinburgh Playhouse, 7 May
- James Morrison, Usher Hall, 10 May
- Waitress, Edinburgh Playhouse, 12 – 16 May
- Beth Hart, Usher Hall, 16 May
- The Bodyguard, Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 23 May
- Christopher Cross, Usher Hall, 22 May
- A Night at the Opera by Candlelight, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 22 May
- Skipinnish, Usher Hall, 23 May
- 2:22 A Ghost Story, Edinburgh Playhouse, 25 – 30 May
- An Audience with Mark and Lard, Queen’s Hall, 26 May
- Grieg Piano Concerto by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 29 May
- Debussy by Candlelight, St Giles’ Cathedral, 30 May
- Ray LaMontagne: Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour, Usher Hall, 31 May
Festivals and special events
- Whisky Month, various venues, throughout May
- TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 1 – 11 May
- Porty Festival, Portobello, 2 – 4 May
- Pint Of Science Festival, various venues, 18 – 20 May
- British Pipe Band Championships, Royal Highland Centre, 30 May
- Leith Food Festival, Leith Links, 30 – 31 May
- Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 30 May – 7 Jun
Activities, tours and experiences
- Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 5, 12, 15, 19 & 26 May
Markets and fairs
- Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat
- Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat
- Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
- Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, every Sat & Sun
- Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun
- Edinburgh Street Food, Leith Street, every day
- Tron Kirk Market, Tron Kirk on Royal Mile, every day
- Ocean Terminal Market, Ocean Terminal, 2 – 3 May
- Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 4 – 10 May
- Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30 May
Museums, galleries and exhibitions
- Maps: Memories from the Second World War, National Museum of Scotland, until 4 Oct
- Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture, City Art Centre, 13 Sep – 31 May
- Giants, National Museum of Scotland, 31 Jan – 14 Sep
- The Biba Story: 1964–1975, Dovecot Studios, 6 Feb – 27 Jun
- Herbology, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 13 Feb – 28 Jun
- David Remfry: In Residence, Dovecot Studios, 21 Feb – 13 Jun
- The Dead Don’t Go Until We Do, Talbot Rice Gallery, 7 Mar – 10 May
- Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 2 Apr – 28 Jun
- The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, King’s Gallery, 24 Apr – 6 Dec
- Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy, City Art Centre, 16 May – 4 Oct
- Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 30 May – 25 Oct
Sport and fundraising events
- Blast 5K, The Meadows, 12 May
- Race For Life 3K, 5K & 10K, Hopetoun House, 17 May
- Edinburgh Marathon Festival, various routes, 23 – 24 May
Most viewed attractions listings in May
- Grassmarket, historic Edinburgh market square with shops, pubs and restaurants
- Portobello, sandy Edinburgh seaside spot, perfect for walks and relaxation
- The Real Mary King’s Close, underground network of streets, offering history tours
- Circus Lane, charming cobbled street in Edinburgh, lined with quaint cottages
- Pentland Hills, scenic trails, rolling landscapes and outdoor adventures
- Arthur’s Seat, volcanic hill in Edinburgh offering stunning panoramic views
- Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street with iconic views of the castle
- Cramond Island & Beach, picturesque village in Edinburgh with beach and historic island
- Edinburgh Dungeon, immersive, theatrical tours showcasing the city’s dark history
- Tron Kirk, historic church building on the Royal Mile with an indoor arts and crafts market
- View more attractions…
See also
- Virtual tours, take a look around Edinburgh from the comfort of home
- Q&As, a few questions answered about Edinburgh and Scotland
