Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Edinburgh & The Lothians
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Monkeys: Our Primate Family
28th June-30th November 2025
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk/monkeys
This exhibition explores the remarkable lives of our primate relatives and demonstrates how they have adapted to survive in different habitats. The exhibition brings together more than 50 taxidermy specimens,...
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns
14th November-22nd February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Zoo
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
For the first time since 2019, the spectacular outdoor lantern trail is making a comeback – this time with an underwater twist! From dazzling jellyfish to towering sea turtles, get ready to explore a...
Castle of Light: Fire and Ice
21st November-4th January 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Castle
Website: www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/castle-of-light
Castle of Light returns for its sixth year. Prepare to be mesmerised by the enchanting forces of fire and Ice as these two powerful elements intertwine throughout the castle to create unmissable immersive...
Edinburgh's Magical Christmas
23rd November 2025
Venue: Lauriston Castle
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
Witness startling magic and uplifting mystery, inspired by history and legends of the city of Edinburgh, in a lavish, historic setting. This show has sold out in previous years, so book early to avoid...
The Snow Queen
27th November-7th December 2025
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
From the bustle of a winter’s market to the shivers of a fairytale forest, take a journey to the Snow Queen’s palace, where you’ll find her surrounded by the icy fragments of an enchanted mirror....
Cinderella: A Fairytale
28th November-3rd January 2026
Venue: The Royal Lyceum
Website: www.lyceum.org.uk
Sally Cookson's celebrated adaptation of Cinderella will delight the whole family this Christmas in a new production from The Lyceum. With music and puppetry, this festive story adds a magical flutter...
The Wizard of Oz
28th November-31st December 2025
Venue: Howden Park Centre
Website: www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk
Follow Dorothy as she makes her way through the magical land of Oz with an unlikely group of friends in a journey to get herself back over the rainbow. To get home she just needs to get herself, a brainless...
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: An Immersive Experience
29th November-4th January 2026
Venue: Royal Highland Centre
Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk
From Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Sunflowers to Monet’s Water Lilies and Impression, Sunrise, their iconic works are freed from their frames and transformed into moving, immersive worlds. An experience...
Snow Queen Pantomime
29th November 2025
Venue: National Mining Museum
Website: www.nationalminingmuseum.com
The perfect way to start the festive season, this enchanting show has everything you love about a Geez a Break pantomime – laughter, songs, and plenty of festive fun! A family-friendly performance that’s...
Peebles Youth Theatre: Sleeping Beauty
4th December 2025
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, magic, and mischievous mayhem as this beloved tale comes to life on stage. Whether you’re clapping along, laughing out loud, or booing the...
The Nutcracker
4th December 2025
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: www.sco.org.uk
From the delicate ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ to the elegant ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker conjures all the magic and wonder of Christmas – and it’s as much of...
Beauty and the Beast
5th-28th December 2025
Venue: Portobello Town Hall
Website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/stagedoorentsuk/e-mqpgyv
Back by popular demand, Porty Panto returns for its third consecutive year, and this time it promises to be a BEAST of a pantomime! Filled with much-loved music, and hilarious comedy, Beauty and the Beast...
The Wizard of Oz - Pantomime
5th-13th December 2025
Venue: Corn Exchange
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Join Dorothy and a whole host of familiar faces on a whirlwind journey bursting with chart-topping pop hits, toe-tapping original tunes, shout-out loud silliness and plenty of local laughs. Expect flying...
Children's Classic Concerts Christmas Wishes
7th December 2025
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk
‘Tis the season to be jolly, so let’s make this the best Christmas yet! Make all your Christmas Wishes come true with Children’s Classic Concerts, the RSNO, the RSNO Children's Chorus and the Manor...
Jack and The Beanstalk
13th December-11th January 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Jack and the Beanstalk will be spectacularly brought to life by sensational song and dance numbers, fantastic special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation in this giant of a pantomime!
Dunedin Consort Children’s Messiah
17th December 2025
Venue: The Queen's Hall
Website: www.thequeenshall.net
Guided by Mr Handel, and his footwoman Frances, this specially devised 45-minute adaptation of Handel’s masterpiece will guide young listeners through some of his greatest hits, with plenty of fun and...
RSNO Season 25-26: Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman
19th December 2025
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
This family-friendly concert is packed full of your favourite sing-along carols and festive melodies, including Consider the Penguin and Schneewalzer. Plus the enchanting film The Snowman shown on the...
Snowy
19th-31st December 2025
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Meet Snowy, a curious little pup with a nose for mischief and a heart full of adventure. When she accidentally throws the city’s festive celebrations into chaos, Snowy must put things right – but can...
The Wizard of Oz - Pantomime
19th-27th December 2025
Venue: Loretto School Theatre
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Join Dorothy and a whole host of familiar faces on a whirlwind journey bursting with chart-topping pop hits, toe-tapping original tunes, shout-out loud silliness and plenty of local laughs. Expect flying...