First Edinburgh International Festival tickets go on sale
It may not be summertime but Edinburgh International Festival have a big announcement about the first highlights in next year’s festival.
These will include leading performers in many genres, including opera, music, theatre and dance. The names will include the Berliner Philharmoniker, Zurich Opera House, San Francisco Ballet with Floating Points and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and theatre-maker Christiane Jatahy with actor Wagner Moura (Narcos, Elite Squad).
And now you can book early for the 2026 festival.
Tickets go on sale on 27 November with priority booking for members from 20 November. More details here.
Christmas Market at Craigmillar Now
There will be a Christmas Market at Craigmillar Now at 58 Newcraighall Road EH15 4HS on 13 September 2025. Table hire is £10 and entry is free.
For anyone who wishes to sell their goods a the Market the entry form is here.
Book a Tour at Leith Theatre
Join Leith Theatre for a cup of tea and a blether during their Autumn Heritage Tour.
“Step inside the warmth and charm of the Thomas Morton Hall before embarking on a tour of the Main Auditorium and backstage spaces in this iconic venue.
Discover the secrets of this historic gem nestled within Leith and learn about its storied past from the team driving it’s restoration.
Autumn Heritage Tour Thursday 20 November 2.30pm at Leith Theatre, 28-30 Ferry Road EH6 2AE. Tickets £5.
Swift bricks – nothing to do with Taylor
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell is bringing plans that would require all new buildings above a certain size to install swift nesting boxes as part of their design.
The proposals, which will be lodged on Wednesday as an amendment to the Scottish Government’s Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, would help to reverse the decline of swifts and other urban birds.
According to the RSPB, the UK’s swift population has fallen by two thirds since 1995 with part of the problem being caused by a loss of nesting places. In 2020, they were added to the UK’s red list of birds most in need of conservation.
Mr Ruskell said: “The swift population has been falling for decades with knock-on impacts for nature and the world around us. What I’m proposing is a simple, low-cost and common sense solution that will support our nature and help us to reverse years of decline.
“Introducing swift bricks is a small and easy act of kindness and conservation that supports nature and makes our communities more livable for birds and other wildlife. It’s a small piece of practical environmental change that can and should be open to everyone.
“It is regrettable that Labour has blocked similar moves in England, but that is no reason for inaction here in Scotland. I hope that the government will consider my proposals and that we can deliver a greener Scotland one building at a time.”
Hannah Bourne-Taylor is the leading campaigner on swift bricks and has lauded Mr Ruskell for his efforts. She said on Bluesky: “Scotland has the chance to be the swift heroes with a swift brick amendment going into the Natural Environment Bill courtesy of Mark Ruskell who’s an all round good egg. Right now you can help by using this e-action here.”
Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh
Two immersive experiences which bring the work of a pair of iconic artists to life in mesmerising and moving fashion will open in Edinburgh later this month.
Beyond Monet and Beyond Van Gogh come to the Royal Highland Centre from Saturday, 29 November 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026 – with Edinburgh hosting the Scottish premiere of the experience which celebrates the work of ‘Father of Impressionism’ Claude Monet.
The immersive spectaculars will be staged on different days throughout the five-week run and tickets for both are being sold separately.
Each experience will include the chance to exit the main 10,000sq ft immersive space through captivating pair of new reflection rooms which extend the magical world of both artists.
Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience celebrates the groundbreaking work of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ in mesmerising and colourful fashion.
In the immersive impressionist extravaganza, cutting-edge technology breathes new life into more than 400 of the legendary French painter’s canvases, taking visitors on a spectacular and unforgettable audio-visual journey through his captivating and colourful world.
Beyond Monet brings together some of the artist’s most famous paintings – including Poppies, Impression: Sunrise and his exquisite Water Lilies series – with lesser-known works which all swirl around the space, offering a fresh and exciting new look at much-loved masterpieces and a deeper connection with Monet, his subjects and his innovative technique.
Taking inspiration from Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the designated home of Monet’s works, visitors can freely roam the Infinity Room where they are transported inside the paintings themselves to the accompaniment of a moving original score.
Meanwhile, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience brings together more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings blended with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists, with people able to wander through iconic works – including The Starry Night, Sunflowers and Terrace of a Café at Night – as they came alive around them.
BEYOND MONET/ BEYOND VAN GOGH
VENUE: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8NB.
DATE: Saturday 29 – Friday 2 January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
TIME: Starting from 10am
PRICE: From £23.94 for adults (Concessions are available). VIP entrance from £41.47
Family Ticket, Parent and Child and VIP Experience tickets available
Three and under go Free
(Booking fees not included). | Flexible entry ticket types available
Entry is by timed ticket. No change of date or time is permitted unless you have purchased flexible ticket add on. Please arrive 15 minutes before your entrance time.
VIP Experience includes flexibility to arrive at any point until 4pm on your selected date, fast track entry and choice of selected merchandise package.
Tickets can be booked via www.beyondvangogh.co.uk/edinburgh
Lothian is running a special 98 service from the city centre on weekends only to the Royal Highland Centre from 29 November until 28 December. Edinburgh Trams operate a service to the Park and Ride at Ingliston and the Royal Highland Centre is a 15 minute walk from there.
