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What’s On Guide Edinburgh May 2024
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 2024.
All details given below are subject to change. Please contact the event organisers for the most up-to-date information.
Music, Theatre and Comedy
- The Drifters Girl, Edinburgh Playhouse, 30 Apr – 4 May
- Scottish Ballet: Swan Lake, Festival Theatre, 2 – 4 May
- BBC Radio 2 Sounds Of The 80s Live Tour, O2 Academy, 3 May
- Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, Usher Hall, 7 May
- Tom Houghton: It’s Not Ideal, The Stand, 9 May
- Average White Band, Usher Hall, 11 May
- Julian Clary, Queens Hall, 11 May
- The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour, Edinburgh Playhouse, 14 May
- Romesh Ranganathan: Hustle, Edinburgh Playhouse, 16 – 17 May
- Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 May
- Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19 May
- Chris Kent: Back At It, The Stand, 19 May
- Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Usher Hall, 21 May
- Tom Davis: Underdog, Queens Hall, 24 May
- The Staves, Assembly Rooms, 25 May
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Edinburgh Playhouse, 28 May – 1 Jun
- Iain Stirling: Relevant, Festival Theatre, 31 May
Festivals and Special Events
- Whisky Month, various venues, 1 – 31 May
- TradFest Edinburgh, various venues, 3 – 13 May
- Brick Fest Live, Royal Highland Centre, 4 – 6 May
- Hidden Door Festival, secret location, 10 – 11 May
- Pint Of Science Festival, various venues, 13 – 15 May
- Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, various venues, 25 May – 2 Jun
Activities and Experiences
- Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 7, 10, 14, 21 & 28 May
- ABBA Drag Brunch, YOTEL Edinburgh, 25 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, O2 Academy, every Sat & Sun
- Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sun
- Castle St Fair, Castle Street, 6 – 12 May
- Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC
Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions
- Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland, 5 Aug – 26 May
- Theravāda Buddhism, National Museum of Scotland, 16 Sep – 9 Jun
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Museum of Scotland, 20 Jan – 6 May
- Andy Warhol: The Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 26 Jan – 18 May
- Do Ho Suh, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 17 Feb – 1 Sep
- Pauline Caulfield Textiles, Dovecot Studios, 8 Mar – 20 Jul
- Candice Lin, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
- Talbot Rice Residents, Talbot Rice Gallery, 16 Mar – 1 Jun
- Before and After Coal: Images and Voices from…, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 23 Mar – 15 Sep
- National Treasures: Vermeer in Edinburgh, Scottish National Gallery, 10 May – 8 Sep
- Adam Bruce Thomson: The Quiet Path, City Art Centre, 11 May – 6 Oct
- Women in Revolt! Art & Activism in UK…, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 25 May – 26 Jan
Sport and Fundraising Events
- Target Ovarian Cancer Running Events, 25 – 26 May
- Edinburgh Marathon Festival, various routes, 26 May