The days are slowly lengthening, temperatures inching up, and snowdrops are peeping their heads above ground, reminding us that Spring will soon be on its way. In the meantime, February promises a range of wonderful events in Edinburgh
Scottish Snowdrop Festival (throughout February, Various Locations)
Taking place between 25th January to 11th March, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival is celebrated in gardens across the country. In Edinburgh, the Royal Botanic Garden is one of the best places to admire the emergence of the dainty white flowers in their various varieties.
MANIPULATE Festival (28th January-5th February, Various Locations)
MANIPULATE Festival is back and will host the very best of Scottish and
international puppetry, visual theatre and animated film to adult audiences in
Edinburgh and beyond.
Edinburgh International Improv Festival (18th-20th February, Scottish Storytelling Centre)
The Edinburgh International Improv Festival will be held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and offers three days of workshops and shows celebrating the best in improv from around the world.
Scottish Blues Weekend (18th-20th February, Assembly Roxy)
The Scottish Blues Weekend is back and will take place on the third weekend in February, both online and in-person. The festival will host ten of the best Scottish blues bands with a closing concert from award-winning blues guitar phenomenon Mike Zito at Assembly Roxy.
ENTERTAINMENT
The days are beginning to lengthen but February is also known for its unpredictable weather so, it’s the ideal time to visit a few art exhibitions, spend an evening at a show, or attend a concert. Here are just a few events and exhibitions to keep in mind.
Jazz Sundays (every Sunday at 5pm, Söderberg Pavilion)
The Art of Wallpaper – Morris & Co. (throughout February, Dovecot Studios,
£10.50)
H-E-L-L-O by Cauleen Smith Exhibition (throughout February, Collective, Free)
Ray Harryhausen ‘Titan of Cinema’ (until 20th February, Scottish National
Gallery of Modern Art – Modern Two, £14)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (8th-12th February, King’s Theatre, From £21.50)
Bat Out Of Hell (8th-19th February, Edinburgh Playhouse, £22)
Valentine’s Vivaldi by Candlelight (11th February, St Giles Cathedral, from £19)
Audubon’s Birds of America (from 12th February, National Museum of
Scotland, £10)
The Mansfield Traquair Centre Open Day (13th February, Mansfield Traquair
Centre, Free)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (16th–20th February, Festival Theatre, from £26.50)
Exhibition: Our Voices (19th February, Fruitmarket Gallery, Free)
The Rocky Horror Show (21st–26th February, King’s Theatre, from £31.50)
The Late Show @ The Comedy Attic (26th February, Beehive Inn, £10.15)
SEASONAL EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
Unlike the past few months, February is a quieter month with regard to seasonal events. However, for those that celebrate, there are a few Valentine’s Day-themed events plus the Six Nations is back! #BackingBlue
Six Nations at the Ghillie Dhu (5th February-19th March, Ghillie Dhu)
The Ghillie Dhu is hosting its annual Six National celebrations. Watch every minute of Scotland’s latest adventure live on the Ghillie Dhu’s big screens with plenty to eat and drink.
Casablanca (13th February, Cameo Filmhouse)
If you enjoy classic movies, The Cameo Filmhouse will be showing one of the greatest film romances, Casablanca, this month as it was the Valentine’s movie of choice by the cinema’s members.
GALentines Punch Needle Art Workshop (13th February, We Make)
Not a fan of Valentine’s Day? Why not grab a few of your friends and take part in a fun workshop. We Make are hosting a Punch Needle Art Workshop where you’ll enjoy a cosy and creative afternoon over a glass of prosecco!
Valentine’s Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight (14th February, St Giles Cathedral)
St Giles Cathedral will be filled with the music of Beethoven, Chopin, Gershwin and Rachmaninov, played by British concert pianist, Daniel Grimwood, under the warm flicker of candlelight.
LITERARY EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
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 are a selection:
Topping & Company (2 Blenheim Place)
Beginning with Edinburgh’s largest independent bookshop, Topping & Company will be welcoming two authors this month: Kate Humble (16th February) will be chatting about her new book ‘Home Cooked’ a celebration of simple, seasonal home cooking and Louise Welsh (23rd February) with her book ‘The Second Cut’, a thrilling look into the dark side of the twenty-first century Glasgow.
Lighthouse Bookshop (43-45 W Nicolson Street)
Lighthouse Bookshop has arranged five interesting literary events for February including ‘Me & White Supremacy: The Young Adult Edition and Other Fruit’ (Online, 10th February), ‘Blueberries: A Night with Ellena Savage’ (10th February), and ‘Women In Translation: Fragments of Sappho’ (21st February).
Blackwell’s Bookshop (53-62 South Bridge) As well as Blackwell’s monthly book quiz (7th February), Dr Elizabeth Cripps, senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, will be discussing her new book ‘What Climate Justice Means and Why We Should Care’ (3rd February) and Donald Thomson will be performing pieces from his brand-new publication ‘Celtic Piano Music’ (12th February).
Portobello Bookshop (46 Portobello High Street)
Lastly, Portobello Bookshop is welcoming three authors this month including Louise Welsh with her novel ‘The Second Cut’ (3rd February), Elle McNicoll for the launch of her third middle-grade book ‘Like A Charm’ which is set in Edinburgh (4th February), and an online event with Alex Hyde in celebration of her debut novel ‘Violets’ (10th February).
MARKETS IN FEBRUARY
Edinburgh is fortunate to have a variety of weekly neighbourhood markets to visit. With things the way they are, it’s unsure if all of these markets will all go ahead as planned so, please check their websites before you visit.
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.
Sunday Clothes Swaps (13th February, SHRUB Coop) 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!
The Edinburgh Kilo (19th February, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall)
Head along to Out of the Blue Drill Hall to browse a huge range of vintage, retro and branded fashion for £20 per kilo. Don’t forget to bring a tote bag and book ahead of time as the event is ticketed to help maintain social distancing.
WORKSHOPS IN FEBRUARY
Edinburgh is filled with a host of creative individuals and if you’d like to learn from them and discover a new hobby or hone a skill, here are just a few suggestions to inspire you:
EDINBURGH WELCOMES
