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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Legally Blonde
29th September-3rd October 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse
Website: www.atgtickets.com
The iconic international West End and Broadway smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde The Musical is back in fashion with a huge new production starring Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical)...
Craigies Pumpkin Festival
1st-31st October 2026
Venue: Craigies Farm
Website: www.craigies.co.uk/pumpkin-festival
Experience a spook-tacular pumpkin festival this October packed with family-friendly fun, exciting activities, and memorable days out for all ages. From hunting down your perfect pumpkin to making spooky...
Artie's Singing Kettle Halloween
3rd October 2026
Venue: Reconnect Howden Park
Website: www.reconnecttheatres.com
Join Artie’s Singing Kettle “Halloween” show for a spooktacular extravaganza! Take your Halloween spirit and don your most creative costume for a show bursting with magic and merriment. Nostalgia...
Dino's: Rocket Researchers
3rd October 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
Whether they love to get messy, laugh, or ask a million questions, your child will fit right in. Dino’s Science Club is packed with hands-on experiments, fun challenges, and exciting themes: from dinosaurs...
Monsters and Myths Trail
3rd October-1st November 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
The Monsters and Myths Trail returns this October, with new spooky stories and spectacular science! Follow the Monsters and Myths Trail through Dynamic Earth’s interactive galleries and uncover the real...
Pumpkins at the Park
3rd October-1st November 2026
Venue: Highland Wildlife Park
Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk
Don’t miss Pumpkins at the Park, where families can enjoy pumpkin picking, seasonal activities and Halloween fun on selected dates from 3 October until 1 November. Check out the park website and book...
St George’s Junior School Open Days
3rd October 2026
Venue: St George's Edinburgh
Website: www.stge.org.uk
With 130+ years of expertise, St George's is Edinburgh's only all-through girls' school, where girls thrive without compromise and grow into confident young women. Student-led tours run year-round, the...
Relaxed Morning
4th October 2026
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Join NMS for their monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum.Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some...
Avatar The Last Airbender - In Concert
6th October 2026
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
This special anniversary edition features a two-hour visual journey through all three seasons of the iconic animated series, projected on a full-size cinema screen with new elements and artistic surprises...
Barnum
6th-10th October 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
West End star Matt Rawle will take centre stage as the legendary 19th century showman P.T. Barnum. This spectacular production will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians,...
The Enchanted Forest
8th October-8th November 2026
Venue: Loch Dunmore Faskally Wood
Website: www.enchantedforest.org.uk
Celebrating 25 Years of Scotland’s Favourite Sound and Light Show. Expect spectacular light installations, immersive soundscapes and moments of wonder woven throughout Faskally Wood, all inspired by...
Pumpkins After Dark Edinburgh
9th-31st October 2026
Venue: Royal Highland Centre
Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk
Explore illuminated pumpkin displays, enjoy live entertainment and live pumpkin carving demonstrations, indulge in seasonal treats, and capture incredible photos along the way. Perfect for families, friends,...
Hansel and Gretel
10th October 2026
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
This beautiful five-singer production, strips the opera back to its storytelling heart. An exciting cast, including many current and previous Scottish Opera's Emerging Artists bring this fairy tale to...
Scottish International Storytelling Centre
10th-31st October 2026
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.sisf.org.uk
The Festival takes place in October each year, as the seasons change with long nights drawing families and friends around the hearth, inspired by the Scottish ceilidh tradition and its sense of togetherness...
Spookfest at Landmark
10th-25th October 2026
Venue: Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Website: www.landmarkpark.co.uk
This October, the park will come alive with spooky surprises and eerie excitement for the whole family! From creepy photo ops to frightfully fun activities, there’s something for every little monster...
Holiday Camps at George Watson's College
12th-23rd October 2026
Venue: George Watson's College
Website: www.gwc.org.uk/holiday-camps
Join George Watson's College for a break filled with new skills, big smiles, and memories that last a lifetime. They accept Childcare Vouchers for all children, including those who do not attend George...
October Hockey Skills Camp - P5-S4 - Open To All
12th-14th October 2026
Venue: Inverleith hockey pitches, East Fettes Avenue
Website: https://events.erskinestewartmelville.com/hockey-camps
Develop key skills with expert-led sessions, available to pupils from any school – no affiliation with ESM is required. A great way to stay active, make friends, and enjoy the holidays. Online bookings...
October Multi-Sports Camp - P1 - P7 - All Schools Welcome
12th-14th October 2026
Venue: ESM Sports Centre, Queensferry Road
Website: https://events.erskinestewartmelville.com/multi-sports-camps
Keep active, make friends and have fun at ESM One-Day Multi-Sports Camp in Edinburgh. Designed for children in Primary 1 to Primary 7 from all schools, the camp offers a varied day of sports, games and...
Rugby Skills Camp P5 - S4 - Open To All
12th-15th October 2026
Venue: Inverleith Rugby Playing Fields
Website: https://events.erskinestewartmelville.com/rugby-camps
Open to children from all schools in Primary 5 to S4 from any school, the camp will help players develop their passing, handling, movement, decision-making, teamwork and game awareness through a mixture...
The Big Draw at Lauriston Castle
12th October 2026
Venue: Lauriston Castle and Gardens
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
Where better to explore this year’s Big Draw than the amazing grounds of Lauriston Castle? Visit the Castle courtyard just past Mimi’s and collect a drawing board, paper and pencil from the Castle...
Autumn Explorers
13th-15th October 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Zoo
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Suitable for P3-7 aged children, this active programme includes visiting the amazing animals, playing themed games and taking part in a range of exciting activities whilst exploring our amazing site in...
Autumn Explorers
13th-15th October 2026
Venue: Highland Wildlife Park
Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk
In these full-day sessions children will learn all about the animals of Highland Wildlife Park, create some autumnal crafts, play exciting themed games and explore our amazing site in the heart of the...
Branch Out!
13th October 2026
Venue: Water of Leith Visitor Centre
Website: www.waterofleith.org.uk
An adventure combining tree identification, nature challenges and finding your way in a woodland. £7 per child - accompanying adult free. Suitable for ages 5–10. Booking essential. Events begin at the...
Tenterhooks: Gaggle
13th October 2026
Venue: Corn Exchange
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Gaggle is a joyful, immersive theatre experience, blending physical comedy, circus and live music, made for audiences of young people (aged 5 plus) with complex additional support needs (ASN) and their...
Lolanthe
14th-17th October 2026
Venue: King's Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society returns to the King’s in this sparkling satire. Packed with witty dialogue, dazzling melodies, and a plot that’s as mischievous as it is magical, this comic opera...
Holyrood Family Adventure
15th October 2026
Venue: Holyrood Park
Website: www.historicenvironment.scot
Discover more about Holyrood's wildlife, history and volcanic landscape with these fun filled sessions featuring many hands on activities. 1-3pm. Free but booking essential. Aimed at children aged 5 and...
Junior Highland Keeper
15th-16th October 2026
Venue: Highland Wildlife Park
Website: www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk
Junior Highland Keepers will get hands-on opportunities to care for the animals, learn about their habitats and understand the importance of wildlife conservation.Children will assist with feeding, cleaning...
River Dipping
15th October 2026
Venue: Water of Leith Visitor Centre
Website: www.waterofleith.org.uk
Explore the river and find out what lives in the water. £7 per child, accompanying adult free. Suitable for ages 5–10, booking essential.
The Littlest Yak
17th-18th October 2026
Venue: Studio Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
This musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book will delight audiences young and old with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family. A gorgeous...
The Littlest Yak
17th-18th October 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
This musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book will delight audiences young and old with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family.A gorgeous...
Shaun the Sheep, The Beast of Mossy Bottom
18th-19th October 2026
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast appears...
Linlithgow Family Adventure
19th October 2026
Venue: Linlithgow Palace
Website: www.historicenvironment.scot
Discover more about Linlithgow's wildlife, history and landscape with these fun filled sessions featuring many hands on actives. Aimed at children aged 5 and over, must be accompanied by an adult. Older/younger...
Stirling Science Festival
21st-24th October 2026
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.stirlingevents.org/festival/stirling-science-festival
This year’s theme Play, Move, Discover: The Science of Sport and Wellbeing, offers exciting activities for all. Visitors can explore the science of cooking, try fun taster sessions such as yoga and netball...
Halloween Fright Nights – Stranger Bings
23rd-24th October 2026
Venue: Almond Valley Heritage Centre
Website: www.almondvalley.co.uk
Stranger Bings transforms the 23 acre site into a mysterious world where mad science has gone spectacularly wrong. Expect eerie encounters, live characters, spine-tingling special effects and plenty of...
Toto the Ninja Cat
23rd-25th October 2026
Venue: King's Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising...
Dino's: Ocean Animal Investigations
24th October 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
It’s not just for science experts, it’s for anyone who loves to explore, craft, and discover how our amazing planet works. With Dynamic Earth’s enthusiastic team leading the way, every child can...
Gaggle
24th-25th October 2026
Venue: Studio Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Gaggle is a theatre performance featuring physical comedy, circus and live music, from the team that created MESS.Gaggle is made for audiences of young people with complex additional support needs (ASN),...
Children's Classic Concerts - Creepy Carnival
25th October 2026
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
With fairground frights and flickering lights, will you be brave enough to visit the Creepy Carnival this Halloween? With cobwebbed Ferris Wheels creakily turning and rusty rollercoasters abandoned with...
Halloween Magic School
25th October 2026
Venue: Lauriston Castle and Gardens
Website: www.cultureedinburgh.com
Learn, create and perform your own magic at a spooky, magic workshop this Halloween! Learn to perform incredible magic and make new wizard friends. No previous magic experience necessary. The event is...
Quiet Afternoon
25th October 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
During quiet afternoons, you will find reduced visitor numbers in the centre. All videos in the galleries will be captioned and the 4pm Planetarium show includes BSL interpretation. Staff undergo disability...
Summer's End
25th October 2026
Venue: Water of Leith Visitor Centre
Website: www.waterofleith.org.uk
Celebrate the turning of the seasons with harvest traditions, firelight, Celtic heritage, and the spirit of Samhain. Fun for all ages but not recommended for under fives due to spooky themes.
Little Ones Halloween Tales
26th-27th October 2026
Venue: Trinity House
Website: www.historicenvironment.scot
Join Trinity House for a family friendly visit and discover the darker side of Trinity House's maritime history and hear tales of hauntings, superstition and mystery. This unique experience includes a...
Junior School Heriot’s in Action
29th October 2026
Venue: George Heriot's School
Website: www.george-heriots.com
George Heriot’s School welcomes families who are looking for a place in Junior School. See lessons in action, meet with Junior School Leadership staff, explore the sports facilities and discover their...
Curiosity Club
31st October 2026
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Leave your grown-ups at the door and get curious with Curiosity Club sessions for ages 7-11. Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore...
Dino's: Monstrous Myths
31st October 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week Dynamic Earth are celebrating spooky season by learning about fascinating myths and monsters and discovering the creatures that these stories are based upon! With Dynamic Earth’s enthusiastic...
Halloween Shenanigans at Craig-thriller Castle
31st October 2026
Venue: Craigmillar Castle
Website: www.historicenvironment.scot
Meet the Master of Owls, who will introduce you to a captivating collection of owls set against the castle’s wonderfully eerie backdrop.Discover the story behind the legendary jack o’ lantern, and...
Operation Mincemeat
2nd-7th November 2026
Venue: King's Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
The year is 1943 and right now we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Operation Mincemeat...
Junior School Taster Afternoon
6th November 2026
Venue: George Watson's College
Website: www.gwc.org.uk
GWC encourage pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be...
Dino's: Super Solar Systems
7th November 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week blast off into space to learn about the solar system we live in and about our celestial neighbours.It’s not just for science experts, it’s for anyone who loves to explore, craft, and discover...
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns
13th November-21st February 2027
Venue: Edinburgh Zoo
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/lanterns
This year’s trail takes you on a glowing journey through space, where you'll encounter cosmic creatures, radiant planets and interstellar installations that will capture imaginations of all ages. Early...
Dino's: When Disaster Strikes
14th November 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week you will be facing four natural disasters, so hold on tight! Investigate some of the main hazards and disasters that happen on planet Earth, and watch out for falling meteors at craft time.
The Beatles Marathon
14th November 2026
Venue: Portobello Town Hall
Website: www.beatlesmarathon.com
A 12-hour, family-friendly charity event bringing together local musicians and volunteer bands to perform songs from across the entire Beatles catalogue. From 12–5pm, there will be activities and games...
Edinburgh Diwali
15th November 2026
Venue: Princes Street Gardens
Website: www.edinburghdiwali.co.uk
The South Asian festival of Diwali, which is celebrated by different cultures and religions all over the world, returns to Edinburgh with a multi-cultural feast of light, music and dance! Join this unforgettable...
Edinburgh Gang Show 2026
17th-21st November 2026
Venue: King's Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
With powerful music, hilarious comedy, dramatic moments and incredible choreography the Edinburgh Gang Show has to be seen to be believed. This gang of Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Explorers and Rangers...
The Polar Express™
27th November-30th December 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Waverley Station
Website: www.edinburghthepolarexpressride.com
The Polar Express™ train ride is a magical re-creation of the classic children’s story on board a real train. Passengers are served hot chocolate and a treat by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the...
The Wee Mermaid - Pantomime
27th November-3rd January 2027
Venue: Reconnect Howden Park
Website: www.reconnecttheatres.com
Sam Stuart Fraser (Smee – Peter Pan, Scarecrow – Wizard of Oz) returns to the Howden stage as Sebastian and Reece McInroy (Tinkerbell – Peter Pan, The Wicked Witch – Wizard of Oz) returns as Queen...
A Christmas Carol
28th November-3rd January 2027
Venue: The Royal Lyceum
Website: www.lyceum.org.uk
Chill winds sweep through the gas-lit streets of Victorian Edinburgh as Dickens’ beloved classic comes to life. On Christmas Eve, three mysterious spirits whisk Ebenezer Scrooge on a whirlwind journey...
The Adventures of Pinocchio
28th November-17th January 2027
Venue: King's Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Join Pinocchio on a spectacular pantomime adventure as he dreams of becoming a real boy, with plenty of laughs, magic, music and family-friendly fun along the way.Get ready for a Christmas pantomime packed...
Peter Pans - Panto
3rd-27th December 2026
Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Soar to Neverland for a swashbuckling adventure packed with laughter, favourite songs and magical panto mischief. Led by Graham Crammond, the much-loved panto dame and comic genius, alongside a talented...
Polar Protectors
5th-23rd December 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This winter, join the Polar Protectors for a festive adventure and help the resident elves find Santa and guide a lost animal safely home in time for Christmas.Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Christmas...