Autumn has arrived in the capital. Temperatures are beginning to drop, nights slowly close in yet with trees bursting into beautiful russet tones and their golden leaves strewn across city pavements, it’s an incredibly beautiful time to be in Edinburgh. If that wasn’t tempting enough, the city is hosting a range of wonderful events.
CITY OF FESTIVALS
Edinburgh is known as the City of Festivals and on a normal year the city has a jam-packed festival schedule all year around. This year, things are a little different but there are still several festivals to look forward to this October:
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (1st Oct–10th Oct, Filmhouse)
The month begins with Edinburgh’s Spanish Film Festival which is back for its eighth edition. The festival promises a vibrant and varied programme, offering something for all ages and tastes.
Currie Beer & Curry Festival (8th & 9th October, Currie Community Centre)
Currie’s community festival is back with live music from Cranachan, curries provided by Kebab Mahal and a selection of ales, ciders and wines. The festival is run by volunteers, and all profits will go to good causes in the local area.
Edinburgh Cocktail Week (11th – 24th October, Various Locations)
Edinburgh Cocktail Week is returning and with the purchase of an ECW wristband you can enjoy £4 Signature Cocktails at 100 of Edinburgh’s cocktail bars and entrance to the Cocktail Village at Festival Square.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival (15th–31st October, Scottish Storytelling Centre)
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place every October and this year’s theme is ‘Imagine’ which will be interpreted by Scottish and international storytellers’ through performances, workshops, talks and children’s events.
The Whisky Stramash (23rd & 24th October, Surgeons’ Hall)
The Whisky Stramash promises a mysterious, entertaining, and madcap festival. Celebrate their 10-year anniversary by sampling a wide array of whiskies from Scotland and beyond.
Oktoberfest Edinburgh (20th-24th October)
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Edinburgh and enjoy a weekend of Bavarian fun with German beer, food, and live music within the Oktoberfest Tent.
Edinburgh Horror Festival (22nd-31st October)
Lastly, Edinburgh Horror Fest brings the month of October to a frightening close with a range of theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games, improv, workshops, and interactive events.
ENTERTAINMENT
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to be in Edinburgh but with the spectacular colours comes the inevitable dreich 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 whet your appetite.
Jazz Sundays (every Sunday at 5pm, Söderberg Pavilion)
Mina Heydari-Waite (From 2 October, Collective Gallery, Free)
Angelica Mesiti: In the Round (From 1 October, Talbot Rice Gallery, Free)
Incoming: New Acquisitions (2 October, City Art Centre, Free)
The Portobello Comedy Night (2 October, Beach Lane Social Club, £7)
The Woman in Black (12-16 October, King’s Theatre, from £20)
Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck (14-16 October, Festival Theatre, from £21)
Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight – (15 October, St Giles’ Cathedral, from £21)
20th Century Boys: A Memorial (28 October, Royal Scottish Academy, Free)
SEASONAL EVENTS
The arrival of October brings autumn and Halloween with it and there are a few seasonal events taking place in the city that are worth keeping in mind.
Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Apples (Throughout October, Craigies Farm, from £3)
Drop by Craigies Farm this October for a bit of wholesome fun pumpkin and apple picking!
Spook-Takular Halloween Afternoon Tea (Throughout October, The Cauldron, from £40)
October for a bit of wholesome fun pumpkin and apple picking!
Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular! (8–31 October, Edinburgh Zoo, from £11)
This Halloween, Edinburgh Zoo is opening its gates after dark to invite you on a family-friendly spooktacular trail through the zoo.
Wondrous Woods (from 21 October, Hopetoun House, from £21)
Set in the grounds of the magnificent Hopetoun House, Wondrous Woods is a stunning and creative lighting journey.
Blood, Wine & Monsters (from 25 October, Cocktail Geeks)
Join the Cocktail Geeks for their latest themed, immersive drinking experience!
The Halloween Terror Trail (23 & 24 October, Lauriston Castle, free)
Lauriston Castle has organised a self-led Halloween Terror Trail through the grounds. Sounds like great fun for families!
Newhailes Haunted Halloween Trail (30 October, Newhailes Estate, from £5)
Visit Newhailes Estate to experience their haunted woodland walk through the Spooky Forest.
LITERARY EVENTS
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 more than a dozen authors this month such as Jess Elliott Dennison (founder of the much-loved Elliott’s on Sciennes Road) who will be chatting about her new book.
Typewronger Books (4a Haddington Place)
Typewronger Books also host regular events in their store but this month they’ve organised an Edinburgh Zine Fair (23 October, free entry) in Out of the Blue Drill Hall. The event will allow makers, artists, small presses and self-publishers to exhibit and sell their work.
Golden Hare Books (68 St Stephen Street)
Over in Stockbridge, Golden Hare Books has organised an evening with author C.F. Peterson (8 October) for the exclusive launch of “The Purified” and an online event with Muriel Barbery (27 October).
Portobello Bookshop (46 Portobello High Street)
Lastly, the Portobello Bookshop are celebrating National Poetry Day with an online event with Malika’s Poetry Kitchen (7 October) and an in-person event with Graeme Macrae Burnet (28 October) to celebrate his eagerly-anticipated novel, “Case Study”.
MARKETS
Edinburgh is fortunate to have a variety of weekly neighbourhood markets to visit. At a glance, there will be the staple weekly markets as well as a mix of one-off or speciality markets in October.
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 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, various times)
This hugely popular street food market hosts a range of street food traders with live music.
Ink Market (10 & 24 October, 77 Brunswick Street, 11am-6pm)
Every second and last Sunday of the month, Ink Market opens to offer an emporium of art, bric-a-brac, antiques and more.
Out of the Blue Flea Market (30 October, Out of the Blue Drill Hall)
Drop by Out of the Blue Drill Hall for a good rummage through vintage clothing, retro decor, art, books and more!
Edinburgh Preloved Vintage Kilo (31 October, Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms)
Browse through over 6 tonnes of preloved, vintage and retro clothing then pay by weight – £15 a kilo.cor, art, books and more!
WORKSHOPS
The summer months have been wonderful for day trips and making the most of the longer days but the arrival of autumn doesn’t mean you have to pare back on activities, there are a range of in-person and online workshops. So, whether you’re looking to discover a new hobby or cultivate an existing talent, here are a few options:
Sourdough Bread Course (17 October, Breadshare, 11-12 Seafield Road East, £100)
Baking sourdough bread became hugely popular in lockdown but if you didn’t get around to it or weren’t pleased with your results, Breadshare’s Sourdough Bread Course will teach you the easy way with hands-on tuition.
Clay Mug Workshop (11 & 25 October, Doodles, 27-29 Marchmont Crescent, £30)
Taking place at a well-loved Edinburgh institution, Doodle’s Clay Mug Worksop will teach you hand-building techniques to create your very own clay mug. You’ll create and paint your mug on the night then pick it up in 2 weeks!
Introduction to Sketching with Watercolour (29 October, Edinburgh Sketcher, 2 Dublin Meuse, £50)
Join Mark, known locally as the Edinburgh Sketcher, for a beginner’s workshop of urban-style sketching. The workshop will begin with welcome drinks and tips from Mark before you head out for a walk around Edinburgh’s New Town creating ink and watercolour drawings as you go.
Clay Mug Workshop (11 & 25 October, Doodles, 27-29 Marchmont Crescent, £30)
Taking place at a well-loved Edinburgh institution, Doodle’s Clay Mug Worksop will teach you hand-building techniques to create your very own clay mug. You’ll create and paint your mug on the night then pick it up in 2 weeks!
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 September and will be opening in October. Why not pop along and welcome them!
