They have played host to big names like music superstar Elton John, American rock icon Tina Turner and Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, as well as hundreds of lesser known actors, dancers and musicians.
Theatres are an essential part of the city's fabric and integral to the Capital's cultural scene.
Here are some fascinating black and white photos, selected from the Evening News archive, of shows, stars and staging from 40 years ago.
Scroll through the old pictures and get a flavour of what was happening on stage in the mid-1980s.
13. Oliver in Joppa
The cast of an amateur dramatics production of 'Oliver' at St Philip's Church hall in Joppa, December 1985. | TSPL Photo: Bill Stout
14. Nutcracker Suite
Scottish actor Billy McColl was playing reformed murderer Jimmy Boyle in Boyle's play The Nutcracker Suite at the Lyceum theatre in October 1985. | TSPL
15. Sword fight in Lawnmarket
Simon Dormandy and Duncan Bell stage a sword fight to promote the Traverse theatre production 'Losing Venice' in Edinburgh's Lawnmarket, July 1985. | TSPL Photo: Albert Jordan
16. 'Life of Galileo'
The Scottish Theatre Company brought their production of 'Life of Galileo' to the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, October 1985. From left: Anne Kristen, David Foley, John Sheddden, Nicholas Johnston and Tom Fleming. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell