What's On

Singer-songwriter Sam Fender has announced a huge Edinburgh tour date at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium next summer

Sam Fender confirms huge Edinburgh gig as part of new stadium tour

Probably the most popular place to pick up a cup of warming mulled wine is in the Capital's Christmas Market. Expect to pay around £6 but you'll be disappointed if you're looking for a quirky recipe with interesting tastes - this is likely to be mass produced to maximise profit with little in the way of loving care. The beautiful surroundings just about make up for it though.

Everything you need to know about Edinburgh's Christmas 2026

Address: 74-78 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JR. This popular pub is named after a reference to the last hanging to have occurred in the Grassmarket, the Last Drop has a suitably macabre back story. The Grassmarket’s gallows were situated right across from the pub and could help explain the high level of supposed paranormal activity in the area. The venue's website says they are haunted by a little girl in medieval clothing, with sightings of the diminutive spirit occurring in both the cellar and the bar.

13 of the spookiest pubs and restaurants to visit this Halloween

Knoops will be giving away free hot chocolate on Wednesday 21 October

The top 9 hot chocolate spots in the city

An Evening with Hibernian Legends Live! Will take place on Monday, November 9

Hibernian legends to share Easter Road stories at Edinburgh Playhouse

Edinburgh Filmhouse in the running to be crowned the UK’s best cinema

Edinburgh Festivals

The Fratellis are set to headline the Night Afore Party at Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

Scots rockers The Fratellis set to headline Night Afore Hogmanay
Edinburgh Hogmanay debut for Glasgow band
Kevin Quinn

The Samhuinn Fire Festival will take place at Calton Hill

Fire and drums beckon for Calton Hill as Samhuinn plans announced

The Sound Within Eisenberg and Stern

Review: The Sound Within Eisenberg & Stern

We often hear the awful phrase ‘she asked for it’. Sadia hits back: ‘But that wouldn't be rape!’

Review: Sadia Azmat: Rapism

Bruna Longo in Whale Fall. Picture: Danilo Apoena

Review: Whale Fall

Aditya Mayya is the funniest comic our reviewer has seen at the Fringe this year

Aditya Mayya is Pretending to be Sad

'The Dolly Parton Story' performer Hannah Richards and her band paid tribute to the late megastar Dolly Parton, whose death was announced just hours before they took to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Watch as Dolly Parton-themed Fringe show pays tribute to late star

Arts and Entertainment

Four Edinburgh acts - Barry Can't Swim, Sonedo, Swim School, and Boards of Canada (L-to-R) - have been nominated for Scottish Album of the Year 2026.

Four Edinburgh acts named in Scottish Album of the Year 2026 shortlist
The celebrated award is set to be handed out at a ceremony in Dundee next month
Heather Carrick

Liberty X will join East 17, Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton and other pop favourites at Boybands vs Girlbands at a Parkdean Resorts holiday weekend, ahead of their Popstars: The Originals tour with Hear'Say next year.

Liberty X fans can see the group at weekend event before reunion tour

The SAY Award Ceremony will return to Dundee’s Caird Hall on November 5.

Local music acts up for Scottish Album of the Year Award public vote

David Harewood stars as lawyer Pierre Jeffreys in the new Channel 4 drama Pierre (Picture: Channel 4/Olly Courtney)

Pierre review: David Harewood will give TV mavericks a good name

Edinburgh Zoo's penguin parade is back.

Edinburgh Zoo’s famous penguin parade back after bird flu cancellation

Shirley Manson of Garbage

Garbage icon Shirley Manson to return to Edinburgh for literary event

Richard Armitage plays maverick forensic pathologist Ethan Winter in the new ITV drama Winter, which began this week (Picture: Eagle Eye Drama/ITV/ITVx)

Winter verges on parody but remains weirdly watchable

Things To Do

Inflatable 5k Podiatry Team

World's biggest 5k obstacle course coming to town

Take a look through our gallery to see 10 fun places in Edinburgh to take the kids during school summer holidays.

10 fun things to do during the school holidays

From left, Nia Roberts, Sian Reese-Williams and Mark Lewis-Jones star in the second series of Channel 4 drama The Light in the Hall (Picture: Channel 4)

The Light in the Hall review: Contrivances hidden in dark corners

Scroll through our photo gallery to see 17 authentic Edinburgh pubs recommended by The Good Pub Guide.

17 ‘proper’ Edinburgh pubs you must visit according to The Good Pub Guide

The Slavic forest spirit known as Leshy is depicted by Fine Art student Yury Aleksanyan using found objects to create card-playing forest figures, evoking the spirit of the ancient woodlands

Graduate show opens to public with incredible exhibition

Race Across the World: The Experience Edinburgh is a brilliant way to see the city

I tried the brilliant Race Across the World experience in Edinburgh

Nightlife

Address: 233-235 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PH.

25 photos of Edinburgh's last ‘proper’ old-man pubs
Here we take a look at some of the best classic, traditional Edinburgh pubs still standing in the city today.
Gary Flockhart

27 great city restaurants to visit recommended by top food critics

25 photos of lost Edinburgh pubs and clubs

Oasis are due to return for a series of huge concerts in the UK and Ireland, including three nights at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh in August.

12 pubs to visit before Oasis gig at Murrayfield

Scroll through our gallery to see Edinburgh’s 12 ‘best’ Indian restaurants, according to locals

Edinburgh’s best Indian restaurants, according to locals

13 photos of proper traditional pubs in the Old Town

25 ‘must-visit’ pubs in Edinburgh picked by The Good Beer Guide

More What's On

For a family-friendly Halloween experience packed with mind-bending optical illusions, mischievous characters and plenty of surprises, head to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. From 10 to 31 October, visitors will come face to face with interactive Halloween characters throughout the attraction, bringing the spooky season to life across five floors of interactive fun.
Camera Obscura’s Halloween fun is included with standard admission.

The 19 best Halloween events happening in the city this year

Ad Feature Discover something new at Rosslyn Chapel

The Knife Angel continues to spread awareness of knife crime as an exhibition is in the works

Artwork inspired by Knife Angel sculpture to go on display

Seagull Trust Cruises will be hosting free Christmas cruises this winter

Santa takes to water as free Edinburgh canal cruises return for winter

Susan Boyle's remarkable rise to fame is the subject of a new documentary which will air on BBC One Scotland at Hogmanay.

Susan Boyle's remarkable rise celebrated in BBC Hogmanay documentary

Final Exhibit - the new scare maze at Scarefest, Alton Towers

Frightening Final Exhibit brings yet more screams to Alton Towers

Edinburgh Diwali celebrations in 2025, at Ross Bandstand, in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle.

Scotland’s largest public Diwali celebration set to return to city

The spectacular Winter Cathedral s set to be a returning favourite at Christmas at Bedgebury 2026.

Ad Feature Christmas at the Botanics is Scotland’s dazzling beacon of festive fun

The pumpkin patches promise more than just picking with a wide range of activities for all the family

Best pumpkin picking spots across Edinburgh and the Lothians

As Martin and Phil explore Las Vegas together, they discover some of the entertainment on the city's famous Strip and join the cast behind the scenes at Cirque du Soleil, pictured.

Presenter reunites with friend and TV co-star Martin Compston

Mark Williams and Paul Whitehouse as the Suits You Sir tailors in the Fast Show.

Cult BBC comedy coming to The Playhouse 30 years after TV show ended

Edinburgh-based author Ian Rankin has been reflecting on his career.

Edinburgh-based Rebus creator Sir Ian Rankin: 'I am slowing down'

Midlothian Countryside Rangers Andrew Todd, Alan Krumholds and Jo Cooke at Vogrie House.

Vogrie Outdoor Festival returns next week with over 20 events

The Polar Ice Bar with Icelandair returns to Edinburgh's Christmas this festive season with a Viking theme

Popular polar ice bar returns to Edinburgh with Viking theme for 2026

Patricia Panther, Ross Mann and Kimberly Mandindo in Wallace: A Musical

Review: William Wallace's legend dismantled in thought-provoking show

Artist impression of Terminal V 2027 as they move to a new site in Glasgow next summer.

Popular dance music festival confirms move to new Glasgow home

Dave Hook as 'Wallace' in Wallace: A Musical.

Rapper Dave Hook on bringing William Wallace's story to Edinburgh

Two gigs due to take place at the Royal Highland Centre this week have been cancelled

Two Edinburgh gigs cancelled at last minute over issues with promoter