13 things that are coming to Edinburgh in 2026 including traffic changes and new shops

Published 28th Dec 2025, 04:58 BST

From elections and rock concerts to new shops and phone bans, there’s a lot on the agenda for Edinburgh in 2026.

There will be a change of faces at Holyrood, favourite stars returning to play gigs in the Capital, new policies to give your views on and new or refurbished places to go.

Here is a run-down of some of the things coming to Edinburgh in 2026.

North Bridge is due to reopen in 2026 after eight years of work to repair and restore the A-listed structure. The project has taken much longer and cost a lot more than originally estimated. The final bill is likely to be around £86 million.
The current traffic restrictions are expected to be lifted in the spring, meaning all four lanes of the road and both pavements would be back in full use. But some scaffolding is expected to remain in place until the the whole project is finished in the summer.

1. North Bridge

North Bridge is due to reopen in 2026 after eight years of work to repair and restore the A-listed structure. The project has taken much longer and cost a lot more than originally estimated. The final bill is likely to be around £86 million. The current traffic restrictions are expected to be lifted in the spring, meaning all four lanes of the road and both pavements would be back in full use. But some scaffolding is expected to remain in place until the the whole project is finished in the summer. | TSPL

Country music superstar Luke Combs will play Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium on July 25 - one of only two UK dates his My Kinda Saturday Night tour.
His other gig is at Wembley Stadium in London on August 1.
Combs, who comes from North Carolina, has become one of country music's biggest global stars. leading to an impressive run of chart-topping hits and sold-out shows around the world.

2. Luke Combs

Country music superstar Luke Combs will play Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium on July 25 - one of only two UK dates his My Kinda Saturday Night tour. His other gig is at Wembley Stadium in London on August 1. Combs, who comes from North Carolina, has become one of country music's biggest global stars. leading to an impressive run of chart-topping hits and sold-out shows around the world. | Getty Images for SiriusXM

A new Sainsbury's Local convenience store is due to open in 2026 at 18-19 Princes Street, previously occupied by health food chain Holland & Barrett. A nearby Sainsbury's Local in St Andrew Square had to close in October 2024 to allow work to start on redeveloping the building as a hotel. The new store is slightly smaller than the one which closed.

3. Sainsbury's, Princes Street

A new Sainsbury's Local convenience store is due to open in 2026 at 18-19 Princes Street, previously occupied by health food chain Holland & Barrett. A nearby Sainsbury's Local in St Andrew Square had to close in October 2024 to allow work to start on redeveloping the building as a hotel. The new store is slightly smaller than the one which closed. | TSPL

Edinburgh will become the first place in the UK to introduce a comprehensive tourist tax when the city's Visitor Levy comes into effect on July 24.
The levy has been set at 5 per cent of the cost of overnight accommodation, payable for the first five nights of any stay.
It will apply to hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, short-term lets and campsites. It is expected to raise £100 million over the first three years and then £50m a year.

4. Tourist tax

Edinburgh will become the first place in the UK to introduce a comprehensive tourist tax when the city's Visitor Levy comes into effect on July 24. The levy has been set at 5 per cent of the cost of overnight accommodation, payable for the first five nights of any stay. It will apply to hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, short-term lets and campsites. It is expected to raise £100 million over the first three years and then £50m a year. | Getty Images Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

Music Shopping Theatre Schools Politics