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April in Edinburgh

By Shawna Law

April in Edinburgh

Writen by Shawna Law

It truly feels as if spring has sprung in Edinburgh! Spring blossoms are in full bloom and we’ve already been blessed with several days of beautiful warm weather and sunshine. There’s a host of wonderful events taking place this month, so read on to find out what’s on in Edinburgh this April.

CITY OF FESTIVALS

Edinburgh is known as the City of Festivals and for the first time, in a long time, it finally feels like things might be returning to normal.

Conifox Easter Festival (2nd-24th April, Conifox Adventure Park, from £14.50)

Looking for something fun to do with your little ones during the Easter holidays? Conifox Adventure Park is hosting an Easter Festival which promises a fun-packed family day out. The immersive, theatrical experience is suitable for all ages and will introduce Baxter Bunny, The Easter Bunny, The Big Bad Wolf, Professor Eggbert and their friends!

Edinburgh Harp Festival (8th-11th April, George Watson’s College)

The Edinburgh International Harp Festival is the UK’s premier harping event. The annual celebration is in its 41st year and will be welcoming musical talents from the global harp community. Be sure to check out their line-up for concerts, courses, workshops and more!

Edinburgh Science Festival (9th–24th April, various locations)

The Edinburgh Science Festival is a hugely popular festival run by the Edinburgh Science Foundation. The festival is the world’s first public celebration of science and technology within a festival format and is still one of Europe’s largest. Each year the festival embraces a new theme and for its 75th anniversary, they’ve chosen the theme of ‘Revolutions’, inspired by James Lovelock’s revolutionary Gaia theory. The family hub at City Art Centre will return as well as two major new interactive exhibitions, DataSphere and Consumed, alongside a vibrant and varied programme of other events for audiences of all ages.

Terminal V Festival (16th & 17th April, Royal Highlands Centre, from £22.50)

Terminal V Festival will take place over two days and will host over 80 international acts and a handful of weekend residents playing across both days. This year’s festival will have 5 main indoor stages, as well as a new large additional outside area with 2 further enclosed stages and more attractions.

Big Big Gin Festival (23rd & 24th April, Corn Exchange. £21)

The Big Big Gin Festival is back and promises an immersive experience into the world of gin. Gin lovers can sip samples from leading makers and craft distilleries, and watch expert mixologists create delightful cocktails. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or completely new to the spirit, there’s something for everyone.

The Beltane Fire Festival (30th April, Calton Hill)

April will be brought to an exciting close with the return of The Beltane Fire Festival. Join the May Queen and Green Man to welcome the coming of summer and longer days with fire, drums and wild performances. 

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Whether you’re attending an outdoor cinema, visiting the dinosaurs at Edinburgh Zoo, or attending a show – there’s never a dull moment in the city. Here are just a few events and exhibitions taking place this month to keep in mind.

  • Dinosaurs at Edinburgh Zoo (throughout April, Edinburgh Zoo, £19.95)
  • Van Gogh Alive (throughout April, Festival Square, £23)
  • Live Jazz Söderberg Pavilion (every Sunday at 5.30pm, Söderberg Pavilion)
  • Tim Taylor | A Sudden Sun Explodes (until 17th April, Custom Lane, Free)
  • Dream Girls (5th-16th April, Edinburgh Playhouse, from £13)
  • Barbara Hepworth | Art & Life (From 9th April, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art: Modern Two, £14)
  • Waitress (19th-23rd April, Edinburgh Playhouse, from £13)
  • Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby (21st April, Festival Theatre, from £19.50)
  • Outdoor Cinema, Cinescapes presents Rear Window (24th April, Moxy Hotel Fountainbridge, £20)
  • Singin’ in the Rain (26th-30th April, Festival Theatre, From £26.50)

SEASONAL EVENTS IN MARCH

There are a host of ways to celebrate both the arrival of spring and Easter this month and here are just a few:

  • Visit Dr Neils’ Garden (Throughout April, Dr Neils’ Garden, Free)

Dr Neil’s Garden has recently reopened and is a must-visit! The secluded garden lies in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and is known as one of the most remarkable gardens in Scotland.

  • Caley Spring Bulb Show (2nd April, Saughton Park & Gardens, Free)

After two years of virtual shows, Caley’s annual Spring Bulb Show will return to Saughton Park & Gardens. As well as the beautiful display of spring blooms, there will also be plenty of fun activities for children.

  • Botanics Spring Trail (9th-24th April, Royal Botanic Gardens, £2)

Make the most of the (hopefully) lovely weather by heading along to the Botanics for their Spring Trail which will guide you around the Garden to find all the clues to the new season.

  • Newhailes Easter Afternoon Tea (9th & 10th April, Newhailes Estate, £15)

Newhailes Estate has arranged several Easter-themed events, one of them being, an Easter afternoon tea. You’ll enjoy an assortment of finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and a selection of cakes in their Glasshouse.

  • Easter Weekend at Gladstone’s Land (16th & 17th April, Gladstone’s Land, £5)

Head along to one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile for a weekend full of historical activities and food tastings. There will be discounted tickets to the property with entry anytime between 10am and 2.30pm.

  • Private Gardens Open Day (24th April, Moray Place and Bank Gardens, £5)

Two of Edinburgh’s exclusive private gardens are throwing their gates open for one day this month. Here’s your chance to peek into Moray Place and Bank Gardens while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and some home baking.

LITERARY EVENTS IN MARCH

Edinburgh is known for its rich literary history with many well-known authors calling the city home for a period of time. Both new and second-hand independent bookshops are an integral part of the city and several host regular literary events, here is a selection:

  • Topping & Company (2 Blenheim Place)

Edinburgh’s largest independent bookshop, Topping & Company has organised a dozen literary events this April. The month will begin with a Climate Fiction Reading Group (4th) and end with Tessa Hadley discussing her new novel ‘Free Love’ (28th) with a host of wonderful authors in between.

  • Lighthouse Bookshop (43-45 W Nicolson Street)

Lighthouse Bookshop is hosting six literary events this month including Alex Mullarky with her new novel ‘The Sky Beneath the Stone’ (1st), an evening with Grace Lavery discussing ‘Please Miss’ and ‘Bodies of Work’ with Alice Hattrick and Melissa Febos (26th).

  • Blackwell’s Bookshop (53-62 South Bridge)

Blackwell’s Bookshop will begin the month with their monthly book quiz (4th) and go on to host JL Williams for the launch of her latest collection of poetry ‘Origin’ (7th) and Lynn Cassells who will chat about her new book ‘Our Wild Farming Life: Adventures on a Scottish Highland Croft’ (14th).

  • Typewronger Books (4a Haddington Place)

After pausing events for a few months, Typewronger Books is back with a great lineup for April. Tom Hodges, the owner of Typewronger, will start the month off with a talk on ‘Bookselling in a time of Corona’ (7th, Quaker Meeting House). Then the store will host the Cunning Folks book club to discuss their next book “Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women” by Silvia Federici (20th) and ‘TypeCast!’, a play reading group, will return (29th).

  • Portobello Bookshop (46 Portobello High Street)

Lastly, Portobello Bookshop is hosting half a dozen literary events this April including An Evening with Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers (13th, Nicolson Square), Helen Mort with her new book ‘A Line Above the Sky’(14th), and Ali Smith with her new novel ‘Companion piece’ (25th).

MARKETS IN MARCH

Edinburgh is fortunate to have a variety of weekly neighbourhood markets to visit plus a few one-off or speciality markets.

  • Grassmarket Market (every Saturday, from 10am-5pm)

A weekly market offering freshly baked goods, seasonal produce, and local craftwork.

  • Leith Market (every Saturday, Dock Place, from 10am-5pm)

Sitting beside the Shore, Leith’s weekly market hosts predominantly food stalls as well as a few local makers.

  • Stockbridge Market (every Sunday, Saunders Street, from 10am-5pm)

Stockbridge is one of Edinburgh’s busiest markets selling a range of street food and lifestyle products.

  • Edinburgh Farmers’ Market (every Saturday, Castle Terrace, from 9am-2pm)

Drop by Edinburgh Farmers’ Market to browse seasonal produce such as fruit, vegetables, locally sourced game, and more.

  • The Pitt Street Food Market (every Friday-Sunday, Pitt Street)

This hugely popular street food market is back and will be hosting a range of street food traders with live music.

  • SHRUB Coop Clothes Swap (3rd April, Zero Waste Hub)

Sunday Clothes Swaps is a monthly clothes swap market where you can browse and exchange clothes and accessories. The café will also be open for hot drinks and delicious vegan baked goods!

  • Support the Makers (14th-16th April, St James Quarter)

Support The Makers is a platform that shines a light on local makers through features, Makers Markets, creative workshops and more. They have recently organised pop-up shops, one of which will take place in the St James Quarter.

WORKSHOPS IN MARCH

Edinburgh has a fantastic creative community who hosts regular workshops to teach their craft. So, whether you’re looking to discover a new hobby or cultivate an existing talent, here are a few options:

  • Rattan Mirror Workshop (16th April, Anthropologie, £40)

Join The Edinburgh Craft Club as they host a Rattan Mirror Workshop at Anthropologie. The workshop will guide you through bending and shaping cane to create a professional mirror with a boho, retro twist.

  • Create A Bespoke Macramé Wall Hanging (24th April, 2 Dublin Meuse, £80)

Join local artist and sculptor Lucy Wayman to create a bespoke macramé wall hanging! The workshop is designed for all levels of experience and will start with the basic principles and techniques of macramé, before moving on to designing and creating your bespoke wall hanging.

  • Spring Greens and Fungi (28th April, Old Cramond Brig, £27.54)

Head along to Cramond to learn all about the wild greens covering riversides in spring. Discover two local species of wild garlic, learn how to distinguish them from toxic look-alikes and how to use them in the kitchen.

EDINBURGH WELCOMES

Last, but not least, there’s always a host of businesses opening their doors for the first time in Edinburgh. Here are a few which have opened in February and will be opening in March. Why not pop along and welcome them!

  • Gairnshiel Lodge Pop-Up (Space at Seventeen)
  • Constable Coffee (15 Drumsheugh Gardens)
  • Concrete Coffee (8 E Norton Place)
  • Argonaut Books (15-17 Leith Walk)
  • Krema Bakehouse (21 Leith Walk)
  • Sierra Metro’s Dot Coffee (13-15 Ferry Road)
  • Fortitude Coffee (72 Newington Road)
  • Krem Karamel Cafe & Bookshop (68 Inverleith Row)
  • Magical Floristry (25 Leven Street)
  • Ocelot Chocolate Shop and Café (Coming Soon to 11A Portgower Place)
  • Banh Mi Bar (Coming Soon to Bruntsfield)
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Written by Shawna Law

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