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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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...
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns
22nd January-22nd February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Zoo
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Light up your winter nights at Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns this February half term. From shimmering jellyfish and playful dolphins to legendary beasts of the deep, families can stroll through a vibrant...
Giants
31st January-14th September 2026
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive,...
Kumon Free Assessment
1st February-15th March 2026
Venue: Kumon's centres in Currie, Leith, and Corstorphine
Website: www.kumon.co.uk
Kumon's highly-rated centres in Currie, Leith, and Corstorphine provide a unique approach that nurtures students from early years through secondary school. Enrol now to enjoy free registration from 1st...
Sensory Sunday
1st February 2026
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join this programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families....
Nutcracker in Havana
3rd-4th February 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com/shows/nutcracker-in-havana
Set to an exuberant Cuban reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, this new production features choreography by Carlos Acosta CBE and more than 20 dancers from his acclaimed company, Acosta Danza....
Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS
6th-18th February 2026
Venue: Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Website: www.landmarkpark.co.uk
Experience the enchanting Ancient Forest bathed in the glow of Twi-LIGHTS. Wander over 1km of woodland trails, including the Tree Top and Red Squirrel Trail, illuminated by thousands of lights. The trail...
Number Day
6th February 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Take part in numerical games and activities or Dress Up for Digits - dressing up as a number! Sign up for free to receive access to hundreds of free learning resources. However you take part, your fundraising...
Dino's: Geology Rocks
7th February 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week at Dino's Science Club you'll be investigating volcanoes and earthquakes. In this session, young learners get the chance to experiment, investigate, and follow their passions, whether that’s...
The Great Grumpy Gaboon
7th February 2026
Venue: Assembly Rooms
Website: www.sco.org.uk
Screature holds the key to the Gaboon’s mood and it's only with the help of the All-Knowing Umpet, a wise and kindly creature, that the friends can solve the mystery of the Gaboon’s grumps. Join the...
Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week
9th-15th February 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk
The theme this year is 'This is My Place' encouraging families and communities to support their children and young people feel a sense of belonging. Visit the website to sign up and be the first to know...
Winter Wildlife Trail
9th-22nd February 2026
Venue: RSPB Loch Leven
Website: www.rspb.org.uk
Explore the reserve, searching for the hidden animals and find out what each animal does over Winter. Pick up a sheet from the Visitor Centre and head out along the trails to find them. Trail sheets cost...
Big Kid Circus
13th-22nd February 2026
Venue: Gyle Shopping Centre
Website: www.bigkidcircus.co.uk
Immerse yourself in a world like no other, with live vocals, jaw-dropping acrobatics, stunts to keep you on the edge of your seats and laugh-out-loud comedy... all in the world of Jurassic, with state-of-the-art...
PWR Pro Wrestling
13th February 2026
Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Fans of all ages will enjoy high-energy matches and colourful characters. Cheer for your favourites, boo the villains, and experience the unforgettable atmosphere only live wrestling can deliver. PWR Pro...
Penguin Love Pebbles
14th-18th February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Zoo
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
Stop by Lemur Lodge and paint a pebble for the penguin nests this breeding season. If your pebble is chosen by one of the penguins, you could win the chance to name a chick! Pebbles are available...
Pilot Training School
14th-18th February 2026
Venue: National Museum of Flight
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Can you master the skills needed by pilots during the Second World War? Drop-in for family activities to learn if you have what it takes. You can also explore the rest of the museum during your visit....
Drawing the Palace
16th February 2026
Venue: Palace of Holyroodhouse
Website: www.rct.uk
Did you know that the Palace has been rebuilt since it was first built over 400 years ago. Discover how the Palace looked in the past and how it has been redesigned various times. Become a Palace architect...
February Holiday Camps
16th-19th February 2026
Venue: Royal Commonwealth Pool, Craiglockhart, Meadowbank and Kirkliston
Website: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/holiday-camps
Are you looking for an exciting and active way for your children to spend their school holidays? Look no further than Edinburgh Leisure’s fantastic range of holiday sports camps! Designed for kids in...
February Holiday Club – Space Camp
16th-19th February 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk/learning/february-holiday-club
Young explorers can join a four-day mission packed with hands-on experiments, outdoor challenges, games, and crafts. Each day offers a unique mission from astronaut training and rocket launches to designing...
February Holidays
16th-20th February 2026
Venue: The Royal Yacht Britannia
Website: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Visit The Royal Yacht Britannia to explore all five decks of a floating palace. All ages will love listening to their free audio guides, with both adult and children’s versions available, as they follow...
A Big Egg!
17th February 2026
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
Join Jack and his sister Molly on a magical adventure to discover just how big an egg can be — and what surprises hide inside! Based on Steven Lee’s picture book, this sing-along mix of live action,...
Varna International Ballet - Cinderella
19th February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse
Website: www.atgtickets.com
With Prokofiev’s exhilarating score, stunning choreography, and vibrant costumes, this beloved fairy tale springs to life on stage. As her cruel stepfamily readies for the Royal Ball, Cinderella can...
Varna International Ballet - Swan Lake
20th February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse
Website: www.atgtickets.com
The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score.From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide...
Varna International Ballet - The Nutcracker
21st February 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse
Website: www.atgtickets.com
When midnight strikes, we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel...
Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic
24th February 2026
Venue: Usher Hall
Website: https://cultureedinburgh.com
Your favourite characters and music from across the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalog come to life on the concert hall stage and screen to create a cinematic concert experience like never before....
PJAC Annual Variety Show
26th February 2026
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
Peeblesshire Young Farmers return with their annual variety show full of songs, stories, hilarious sketches and jokes. Lots of fun and laughter for all the family.
Loretto Junior School Open Afternoon (3 to 12 years)
27th February 2026
Venue: Loretto School
Address: North Esk Lodge, North High Street
Website: www.loretto.com
Open Days are kept purposefully small, allowing you to experience for yourself Loretto’s exceptional campus and community. See the Junior pupils in action with a guided tour from Year 7 pupils and Head...
Tea, Talk and Tour at Erskine Stewart Melville
27th February 2026
Venue: P4 - P7 and Senior Boys, Queensferry Road
Website: www.erskinestewartmelville.com
This event is for families who would like a relaxed chance to chat, ask questions and find out what life is really like at Erskine Stewart Melville. Families will be welcomed into the Principal’s Study...
Classic Trucks and Tractors
28th February-1st March 2026
Venue: Royal Highland Centre
Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk
Step back in time and celebrate the machines that kept Britain moving! With hundreds of beautifully restored classic tractors and vintage trucks on display, this is a must-see event for enthusiasts, collectors,...
Curiosity Club
28th February 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. Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum...
Dino's: Miraculous Medicine
28th February 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week at Dino's Science Club learn about the world of medicine.Discover how our bodies work hard to keep us healthy, and what doctors can do to help us when we’re poorly. 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm....
Relaxed Curiosity Club
28th February 2026
Venue: National Museum of Scotland
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
These relaxed sessions are for children with additional support needs and their families. Each session will have a reduced capacity and a slightly slower pace to allow more time to enjoy the activities....
Matilda The Musical
4th-22nd March 2026
Venue: Edinburgh Playhouse
Website: www.atgtickets.com
Matilda The Musical, the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company is inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl. Buy one and get one under 16s half price on selected seats at Tue...
World Book Day
5th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.worldbookday.com
Reading for fun is the single biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and more successful life. The World Book Day mission is to promote reading for fun, offering every child and...
British Science Week
6th-15th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.britishscienceweek.org
British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that will take place between 6-15 March 2026. Visit the website to download the activity taster pack for free...
Dino's: Exciting Energy
7th March 2026
Venue: Dynamic Earth
Website: www.dynamicearth.org.uk
This week investigate energy and forces. Our everyday lives are controlled by lots of different forces and movements of energy, like gravity and the sun’s heat. Take part in experiments to see these...
Loretto Senior School Open Morning (12 to 18 years)
7th March 2026
Venue: Loretto School
Address: Linkfield Road, Musselburgh
Website: www.loretto.com
Loretto would love to invite you to join them for a relaxed visit, chatting with the senior team and teaching staff, followed by a personalised tour of the campus, designed with your child’s interests...
The Scottish Motorcycle Show
7th-8th March 2026
Venue: Royal Highland Centre
Website: www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk
Scotland’s biggest and best motorcycle show returns to Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre with all the latest models and breath-taking live action. The Scottish Motorcycle Show, held on Saturday 7th...
Great Big School Clean
13th-29th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.keepbritaintidy.org
Keep Britain Tidy believe that teaching children and young people about litter is a crucial part of their environmental education journey. Join the Great Big School Clean this spring, and help your...
Horrible Histories – The Concert
13th-15th March 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
For the very first time, your favourite songs and actors from the BAFTA Award-winning CBBC TV series will be appearing live on stage in a very special production! Featuring a live band, led by the Horrible...
St George's Girls School Open Day
13th March 2026
Venue: St George's School
Website: www.stge.org.uk
Explore the 15 acre parkland campus, with extensive onsite indoor and outdoor sport facilities, plus their homely boarding house, offering full time, flexi and ad hoc options for busy families. Pop into...
Disney On Ice presents Into the Magic!
19th-22nd March 2026
Venue: OVO Hydro
Website: www.disneyonice.com
Discover why no dream is too big at Disney On Ice when your favourite Disney stories come to life through world-class ice skating. See Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and stars from Frozen, Coco, Moana,...
The Boy at the Back of the Class
19th-21st March 2026
Venue: Festival Theatre
Website: www.capitaltheatres.com
Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of good friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds...
Red Nose Day
20th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.comicrelief.com
Taking place every March, this unique fundraising campaign uses comedy as a means to fundraise money for great causes. Anyone and everyone can get involved. Past years have seen bake sales, 24-hour dance-a-thons...
Taylor Fever: World Tour 2026
22nd March 2026
Venue: Corn Exchange, Haddington
Website: www.thebrunton.co.uk
Attention all Swifties - Taylor Fever is the electrifying tribute production to worldwide megastar Taylor Swift. Following on from the sold out show at the Corn Exchange in 2025, audiences can take a trip...
Peebles Youth Theatre: The Jungle Book
26th-27th March 2026
Venue: Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre
Website: www.eastgatearts.com
Peebles Youth Theatre presents The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, adapted by Jessica Swale. Join Mowgli and friends on an unforgettable adventure through the jungle in this vibrant amateur production,...