Fiona Hunter -Relaxed Performance at Edinburgh’s Tradfest 2026

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This was a new one for us here, we’ve never been to Edinburgh’s Tradfest before, and it’s also new for them, to put on child friendly gigs…so we were very excited to get along and check this gig out led by award-winning singer Fiona Hunter (Malinky) and joined by Ali Patterson (Skippinish) on keyboards and Pablo Lafuente (Project Smok) on guitar. 

Family fun levelled up at Fiona Hunter’s relaxed performance. 

Me and boyo (16 months) were a bit intimidated when we first entered Traverse 1 on a Sunday afternoon, with steeply raked seats and the stage set up for a concert, but as soon as Fiona, Ali and Pablo entered with bags of props they made us feel right at home, inviting us all to get up close on stage and join in (an instruction that the under 5s who made up about half of the audience didn’t need telling twice- if only adults were so keen to participate). Bouncy snowballs, floaty scarves and animal hats were all pulled into action, and Fiona had a great way with the kids, it really did feel relaxed as she sang a mix of trad lullabies and Scots nursery rhymes. For the adults, it was Fiona’s voice that made it something more than just a singalong. And actually, although boyo had just woken up from a nap and was in no mood for joining in, he was very happy to cuddle up and listen to the beautiful songs and tunes too.

Would absolutely recommend for under 5s and their adults. 

(Written by Debs Hahn )

Square Cinema is back : 12th -14th June 2026

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Edinburgh’s much-loved free outdoor movie weekend returns to St Andrew Square Garden for the 15th year this June, bringing three days of big-screen entertainment to the heart of the city in one of the UK’s biggest free outdoor cinema events.

For the full programme click here .

Friday is Swayze-night with cult-classic The Outsiders up first, swiftly followed by one of the most requested movies – Dirty Dancing, and bringing the curtain down on day one is a 35th anniversary screening of Point Break.  

Family audiences are in for a treat over the weekend with daytime screenings including Zootropolis 2, The Adventures of Tintin, Wicked: For Good, Labyrinth, and two live action remakes from 2025 of much-loved animated films Lilo & Stitch, and How To Train Your Dragon.

Later in the day, the programme shifts to Hollywood blockbusters and cult classics including Back to the Future, F1 – The Movie, multi-Oscar winner One Battle After Another, and a 15th anniversary screening of Bridesmaids, all shown in a relaxed, picnic-style setting.

And it is absolutely FREE! What’s not to like?

Pleasance’s Incredible Primary Schools Initiative !

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Pleasance will be opening some of their shows up to a staggering 1,600 Edinburgh Primary School children this week, up until the 25th August…

Shows on offer to schools this year are You’re an Instrument, Norvil and Josephine: Rabbits Out of the Hat, The Little Prince, You’ll See, Chatterbox and Doktor Kaboom.  Pleasance provides a Charlie Irons bus for each school from their school gates to the Pleasance Courtyard, where they are met by the Pleasance team and chaperoned to a designated area in the Courtyard before seeing their show. All of this for free. The 24 Schools attending this year are: Roseburn, Dalmeny, Pirniehall, Pentland, Stockbridge, St David’s, Bowhouse, Royal Mile, Brunstane, Gorgie Mills, Craigour Park, Victoria, Granton, Oaklands, Liberton, Royal High, Prestonfield, Longstone, Carrick Knowe, Dalry, St Cuthbert’s, St Catherine’s and St Andrew’s. 

Pleasance, a registered Scottish Charity, has run this initiative since 2019 and is the only venue in the history of the Festival Fringe to do this.

All the more reason to keep on supporting all the fantastic work the Pleasance does and the brilliant shows on offer there this year…you’ve got a week left to enjoy them all !

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025

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I am extremely late in writing this post, as the book festival opened this past weekend. As always, the Book Festival is fantastic and offers loads of opportunities to keep the wee ones busy – all of the children’s events are listed here. There is also a dedicated kids area within the festival space and the well loved children’s bookshop..

There are some good drop-in/free events over the next couple of weeks :

Saturday 16th August – Meet Pikachu – Pikachu, I choose YOU! Come along and meet everyone’s favourite electric-type Pokémon for a special appearance at the Book Festival. Don’t miss the opportunity to give Pikachu a wave or pose like a Pokémon trainer for a photo!

Sunday 17th August – Design the Future with Remode Collective – Join Remode Collective for a drop-in sustainable textile session reimagining recycled and donated fabric into bookmarks, keyholder charms, and mini fabric artworks. Explore the world of textiles, get crafty, and learn about the impact of textile waste.

Monday 18th August – Pop in and Play with Dads Rock – In the Children’s Tent today you’ll find Dads Rock with activities to keep your wee ones busy, just drop in between 13:00 and 14:00 to see what’s going on!

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Tuesday 19th August – Pop in and Play with Edinburgh for Under Fives – The team from Edinburgh for Under Fives is back to entertain little ones with a story and art activity to take home. Drop in any time and all are welcome!

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Saturday 23rd August – Meet the Gruffalo – Oh help! Oh no! It’s a Gruffalo! Meet Julia Donaldson’s most famous creation and join in with songs, dancing, and games. Don’t miss the opportunity to give the Gruffalo a cuddle, a high five or take a selfie.

Sunday 24th August – Meet Princess with The Unicorn Experience – For one afternoon only, step into the magic with Princess the Unicorn and the Unicorn Experience, including the opportunity to leave Princess a wish in her very own Wish Jar. Princess will be greeting families between 1pm and 2.30pm so make sure you arrive on time and are prepared to queue. Please note that due to unicorn welfare, Princess may need unexpected breaks. If you arrive too late to meet Princess, we suggest leaving her a wish and heading to our special unicorn craft session.

Sunday 24th August – Letters Fae the Locals with Refuweegee – Pop by and lend your creative brain to writing a welcoming message (or drawing!) to refugees arriving in Scotland. The team from Refuweegee will guide you in creating these heartwarming messages which will then be distributed within their community-built, personal welcome packs to help people feel more at home here.