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🍂 SEASONAL · 17 OCT - 1 NOV

October Half Term in Edinburgh 202642 things to do, dates and prices

42 things to do within reach of Edinburgh for 2026, running from 17 Oct - 1 Nov, across 4 towns and villages. 6 are free and paid tickets start from £3. The nearest is We're Going on a Bear Hunt + The Tiger Who Came to Tea in Edinburgh, under a mile from the centre of Edinburgh.

42 events6 freeLast updated Thu, 8 October 2026

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42 things to do around Edinburgh

  1. West End Fair ‘26. 3rd - 30th Aug ‘261

    Scottish Smallholder & Countryside Festival

    Sat 17 October · 09:00

    West End Fair ‘26. 3rd - 30th Aug ‘26 · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  2. Person dressed as a judge in a white curled wig and red robe holding a gavel, posed in a historic dungeon setting.2

    Frankenstein

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    The Edinburgh Dungeon · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £19
  3. This is a designed graphic — a composite image showing multiple photos of a venue and activities. GRAPHIC3

    10 Years

    17-31 October · 15 days

    The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    Free
  4. Aerial view of a botanical garden with mature trees, landscaped grounds and a small stream, with Edinburgh's cityscape and hills beyond.4

    Kit's Magical Tail

    17-18 October · 2 days

    Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    from £3ages 3+
  5. Modern stone building with large windows and metal canopy, people walking past the street-level gallery entrance.5

    Night Walk for Edinburgh

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Fruitmarket Gallery · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    Free
  6. Ancient stone seating arranged in a circle inside a weathered underground chamber with crumbling walls.6

    The Vaults Tour

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Auld Reekie Tours · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £24ages 5+

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  1. Family walking through graveyard towards ruined stone church under blue sky with clouds.7

    Drawn from the Archives

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Aberdour Castle and Gardens · Burntisland · 8 miles from the centre

    See listing
  2. A dark-coloured hippopotamus with a white blaze on its head stands on straw bedding, looking toward the camera.8

    Daily talks

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Edinburgh Zoo · Edinburgh · 3 miles from the centre

    See listing
  3. Empty cinema screen room with rows of red reclining seats, red walls, and illuminated floor lighting.9

    We're Going on a Bear Hunt + The Tiger Who Came to Tea

    Sat 17 October

    Everyman Edinburgh · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  4. Kitty O'Shea's Edinburgh10

    Live Music

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Kitty O'Shea's Edinburgh · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  5. Bright, modern children's play space with wooden play structures, toys, climbing equipment and seating areas beneath decorative pendant lights.11

    Mini First Aid

    Sat 17 October · 10:00

    Make Believe Soft Play · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  6. The Gatehouse entrance to Edinburgh Castle illuminated at night, with stone walls and lamp posts.12

    Whispers of the past: Dark history of the castle

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Edinburgh Castle · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  7. Young child in pink jacket pulling a playful face next to a bright green farm tractor.13

    Craigies Pumpkin Festival

    17-31 October · 15 days

    Craigies Little Farmers · Queensferry · 7 miles from the centre

    See listing
  8. West End Fair ‘26. 3rd - 30th Aug ‘2614

    West End Fair

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    West End Fair ‘26. 3rd - 30th Aug ‘26 · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  9. Pleasance Courtyard15

    Boyhood

    17-31 October · 15 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  10. Ancient stone seating arranged in a circle inside a weathered underground chamber with crumbling walls.16

    Haunted Vaults Tour

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Auld Reekie Tours · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £24ages 12+
  11. Ancient stone seating arranged in a circle inside a weathered underground chamber with crumbling walls.17

    The Vaults & Graveyard Tour

    17 Oct - 1 Nov · 16 days

    Auld Reekie Tours · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £26ages 12+
  12. Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy18

    Alan's Big Bus Pass Birthday Bash

    Sat 17 October · 19:00

    Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy · Kirkcaldy · 11 miles from the centre

    from £10ages 14+
  13. Pleasance Courtyard19

    Ray Jissues: Work in Progress

    Sat 17 October · 19:15

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  14. This is a designed graphic, not a photograph for alt text purposes. GRAPHIC20

    Becoming Archived: Lesbian Snapshot Collective

    Sun 18 October · 14:00

    Stills · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  15. Grand Victorian sandstone building with dome and turrets under clear blue sky, featuring classical architecture and flags.21

    Museum Workshop: Hands-on Learning for Small Groups

    19-28 October · 6 days

    Museum on the Mound · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    Free
  16. Grand Victorian sandstone building with dome and turrets under clear blue sky, featuring classical architecture and flags.22

    Money Museum Challenge: Explore, Investigate, Discover

    19-27 October · 4 days

    Museum on the Mound · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    Freeages 9+
  17. Indoor soft play area with climbing wall, slide and net structures for young children.23

    ASN Soft Play

    20-27 October · 2 days

    Clambers Soft Play Royal Commonwealth Pool · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    ages 0-10
  18. Pleasance Courtyard24

    I Was Always Here

    20-22 October · 3 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  19. Pleasance Courtyard25

    Terry's: An American Tragedy About Cars, Customers, and Selling Cars to Customers

    21-24 October · 4 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  20. Aerial view of a botanical garden with mature trees, landscaped grounds and a small stream, with Edinburgh's cityscape and hills beyond.26

    Yin Yoga

    22-29 October · 2 days

    Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  21. Grand Victorian sandstone building with dome and turrets under clear blue sky, featuring classical architecture and flags.27

    School Visit: Fully Structured Class Experience

    22-29 October · 2 days

    Museum on the Mound · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    Freeages 8+
  22. Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy28

    The Poozies

    Fri 23 October

    Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy · Kirkcaldy · 11 miles from the centre

    See listing
  23. This is a designed graphic, not a photograph for alt text purposes. GRAPHIC29

    Curator & Artist Tour: Jillian Edelstein

    Fri 23 October · 13:00

    Stills · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    Free
  24. Pleasance Courtyard30

    David's One-Man Band (F*ck You, Steven)

    23-24 October · 2 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  25. Aerial view of a botanical garden with mature trees, landscaped grounds and a small stream, with Edinburgh's cityscape and hills beyond.31

    Palm Houses Printmaking

    Sat 24 October

    Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  26. Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy32

    After 8 Mince - Fundraising Event

    Sat 24 October · 14:00

    Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy · Kirkcaldy · 11 miles from the centre

    from £10ages 14+
  27. Bright, modern children's play space with wooden play structures, toys, climbing equipment and seating areas beneath decorative pendant lights.33

    Pumpkin Paint & Play

    Sun 25 October · 09:00

    Make Believe Soft Play · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £16.80
  28. Pleasance Courtyard34

    Sasha Nezlobin: I'm Fine

    Tue 27 October · 19:30

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  29. Pleasance Courtyard35

    THE ROGERING

    28-29 October · 2 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  30. Pleasance Courtyard36

    Champagne

    Thu 29 October · 21:00

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  31. Empty cinema screen room with rows of red reclining seats, red walls, and illuminated floor lighting.37

    Tabby McTat + Room on the Broom

    30-31 October · 2 days

    Everyman Edinburgh · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  32. Aerial view of a botanical garden with mature trees, landscaped grounds and a small stream, with Edinburgh's cityscape and hills beyond.38

    Sound Bath

    Fri 30 October

    Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Edinburgh · 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  33. Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy39

    Splintered Halo

    Fri 30 October · 19:00

    Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy · Kirkcaldy · 11 miles from the centre

    from £10
  34. Pleasance Courtyard40

    The Triumph of Death

    30-31 October · 2 days

    Pleasance Courtyard · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  35. The Gatehouse entrance to Edinburgh Castle illuminated at night, with stone walls and lamp posts.41

    Halloween Shenanigans at Edin-boo! Castle

    Sat 31 October

    Edinburgh Castle · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    See listing
  36. Bright, modern children's play space with wooden play structures, toys, climbing equipment and seating areas beneath decorative pendant lights.42

    MakeBelieve's Annual Halloween Costume Party

    Sat 31 October · 16:30

    Make Believe Soft Play · Edinburgh · under 1 mile from the centre

    from £14.80

ALSO ON AROUND EDINBURGH

PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY

What's on, when you need it

This weekend in full →
9 on right nowTHU 8 OCT
Today

Everything open and on in Edinburgh today, with times and prices.

TOP PICKPick & Play - Pumpkins! · free
See today
21 things onFRI 9 - SUN 11
This weekend
  • Fri14 things · Live Music
  • Sat19 things · Craigies Pumpkin Festival
  • Sun13 things · Live Music
See the weekend
TomorrowFri 9 · 14 things onRainy days135 under a roofFree57 cost nothing
SEASONALENDS 31 OCTHalloween: pumpkin patches, spooky trails & torchlight. 9 already live.
Plan Halloween

EDINBURGH WEEKEND PICKS · LAUNCHING SOON

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