Category Archives: Free events and happenings

Book Festival 2019 Opens this weekend….

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Image result for edinburgh international book festival 2019Festival season is in full swing, personally it feels likes it’s been going for weeks already – and yet another one opens this weekend – it is truly exhausting !!  The Edinburgh International Book Festival – bringing with it a host of fantastic events, free arts and crafts activities, two beautiful bookshops and a gorgeous space to hang out in Charlotte Square…it is also a very tranquil oasis away from the hecticness of the Fringe and I highly recommend it simply for the change of scenery and pace alone !!

There are lots of free arts and crafts activities every day in the fabulous Story Box area and the opening weekend has the following brilliant sounding drop-in events :

50 Years of The Very Hungry Caterpillar50 Years of the Very Hungry Caterpillar – Both Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August 11.00am – 4.30pm  Feeling peckish? Celebrate 50 years of Eric Carle’s classic picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by dropping into Story Box for lots of exciting colouring and craft activities inspired by the much-loved tale. You might even get the chance to meet the greedy insect himself.

Join the Super Power AgencyJoin The Super Power Agency – Both Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August 11.00am – 4.30pm : Super Power Agency Bus On George Street.  Hop aboard the Super Power Agency Bus and become a literacy superhero! Special agents show you how to take a book out of your head and onto the page, where it can change the world, with fun bookmaking and storytelling activities.

Full listings of all the free events for children and young people can be found here ….enjoy!

 

Bureau Of Untold Stories…returning for another investigation

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If you missed out on this last year – then you are in for a treat – The Bureau Of Untold Stories is returning to the Fringe for it’s longest run yet from 12th August ! We really enjoyed being part of the investigation last year and would encourage all other young adventurers to go along and check it out…(read our review here )…

The intrepid inspectors of ‘The Bureau Of Untold Stories’ will return to the Museum of Childhood, on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, to launch an investigation into the world’s missing stories as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from August 12, 2019.

The family friendly production follows the escapades of two detectives as they attempt to track down a notorious criminal mastermind, known simply as The Eraser. Using outrageous accents, live sound effects, some unconventional storytelling skills, and the ridiculous suggestions and ideas of the Bureau’s newest recruits; the audience, ‘The Bureau Of Untold Stories’ sees performers Sean and Hollie Bryan create a series of entirely original tales throughout the sixty minute duration of the piece.

“Innovative, imaginative and importantly fun – this is one mystery you will love helping to solve!…”

Edinburgh Festival Carnival…July 14th 2019

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Yes…it’s the most musical, colourful, magical parade of the year – Edinburgh’s flamboyant start to the festival season…the carnival parade. Hosted by the Jazz and Blues Festival – the weekend also features the Mardi Gras based in the Grassmarket and another family friendly event full of colour and sound !!

Mardi Gras imageMardi Gras – Saturday 13th July from 1pm

A taste of New Orleans in the historic heart of Edinburgh.

Non-stop entertainment and a party atmosphere as a host of bands perform on multiple stages bringing swing, dixieland, funk, soul gypsy jazz and brass band music to the heart of Edinburgh.

This year the line-up includes: Quattro MacJazz, Rianna Walcott Trio, Romacaleo, Harry Weir’s Brass Band and many more.

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Edinburgh Festival Carnival – Sunday 14th July from 2pm

Princes Street and the gardens will play host to the Edinburgh Festival Carnival on the 14 July.

From the top of the Mound to the West End of Princes Street expect to see flamboyant outfits and world class music from over 800 Carnival Performers as the streets are transformed into a party atmosphere.

Music, dance, costumes, circus, acrobatics from all over the world.

From 3 – 4.30pm the sounds of the world will beat from the stage of the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens; and from 3.30pm-5pm, we have dance, music, circus, and street arts, plus a special kids area. Come for the colour, spectacle, sounds and electric atmosphere.

Film Fest In The City

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This weekend we’re in for a treat (as long as the weather is kind)…St Andrew Square once again hosts the outdoor film festival Film Fest In The City– serving up a host of family friendly films during the day  – so we can bring a picnic and enjoy ! Friday 14th till Sunday 16th June and it’s free …

Friday 14 June

4.30pm – Groundhog Day (1993) (PG)

6.30pm – When Harry Met Sally (1989) (15) (30th anniversary)

8.30pm – Black Panther (2018) (12A)

Sat 15 June

10am – The Iron Giant (1999) (PG) (20th anniversary)

11.40am – First Men On The Moon (1964) (U) (55th anniversary)

1.45pm – Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse (2018) (PG)

4pm – Mamma Mia! (2008) (PG)

6pm – Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) (PG)

8.15pm – Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) (12)

Sun 16 June

10.30am – Brave (2012) (PG)

12.30pm – Mary Poppins Returns (2018) (U)

2.55pm – Xanadu (1980) (PG)

5pm – The Greatest Showman (2017) (PG)

7pm – Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) (12A)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

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Image result for edinburghs christmas 2018

Well….that’s just my humble opinion at least. Whilst I do LOVE the fringe and festival in August and all the food, smells, sights, circus and fun around every corner – there is something so exciting about this season, with the dark cosy nights, the twinkling lights and the hint of magic in the air…

This weekend is light night and the official start to Edinburgh’s Christmas which is once again bursting at the seams with a host of fun activities and events this year. Light night is Sunday 18th November from 3pm and is a free event for all to enjoy, which encapsulates the true spirit of the festive season: family and the community. Choirs from across Scotland will perform in front of an expected audience of around 20,000 people, as  George Street is lit up with fireworks. The Christmas Tree on the Mound, a gift to the City of Edinburgh Council from Hordaland County Council in Norway, will be lit as part of the Light Night switch-on.

Other free events to look out for over the festival are :

24 Doors of Advent – From 1st – 24th December go and discover an exciting new place each day of advent, as this real-life advent calendar takes you through a different door, throughout December as Edinburgh opens its doors to showcase the unique buildings in the city. A full list of what buildings are featured this year can be found here .

 

Winter Windows – The Winter Windows form a magical pathway from West Parliament Square – outside St Giles to Newhaven. Each stained-glass window is designed by a budding young artist from Edinburgh’s schools to the theme of Kindness. This year’s Winter Windows is working in conjunction with St Giles Cathedral.

And of course the Christmas market will be here again, tempting us with the smells of mulled wine and delicious foods…..Santa land is currently settling back into Princes Street gardens to entertain the kids, ice rinks are being smoothed into place and something very special is brewing on George Street….