Category Archives: Free events and happenings

Fringe For Bairns 2017 at the Three Sisters 30th July -2nd August

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Image result for fringe for bairns 2017So, for the third year running, the Free Sisters are hosting another Fringe for Bairns located in the courtyard at the Three Sisters on the Cowgate – expect children’s shows, face painting, magicians, an outdoor cinema and the return of the very popular courtyard petting zoo.

For more details and to see what day certain activities will be, check their facebook page for updates…

Image result for fringe for bairns 2017So far it looks like the Five Sisters Zoo will be there on Wednesday 2nd August  with the petting zoo which is sure to be popular…

 

All of their childrens shows will be running during these days too, highlights including:

Amazing Magic Christopher – Show ImageThis family magic show features magic, balloon modelling, Barney the Puppet Bird and lots and lots of audience participation and fun. A show suitable for all the family, you will be intrigued, entertained and amazed.

 

Boogers, Books and Big Bottom Burps –Show Image Boogers, books and big bottom burps is a hilarious show from award-winning author Stuart Reid, featuring his popular brand of schoolboy humour and stupidity. Stuart will be launching his 6th book Gorgeous George and his Stupid Stinky Stories, at the festival, with readings, video clips, music with mildly amusing photographs and illustrations from the books.

Science Magic – Show ImagePrepare to enter the magical world of science. Forget Harry Potter, Dónal is the real wizard. He will show you how to put a skewer through a balloon without popping it, mix potions to create your very own volcano, set paper on fire without burning it, turn water upside-down without spilling it, conjure an invisible force to blow out a candle, make a cola bottle explode in a fountain and more.
Always exciting, sometimes messy, learn about magnetism, pressures, density, force, chemical reactions, the fire triangle, acid & bases, static electricity. And laugh your pants off while you do it.

Before all the chaos and hecticness of the festival starts, this looks like an ideal warm up !

 

All new for Playday 2017….

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This year the Playday celebrations are going to be a little different to previous years. They will be holding four separate events in four different localities, with each one hosted by a different community organisation.

These events will be running from the 31st July to the 4th August and are working in partnership with the Edinburgh Play Forum to provide free activities for children of all ages and their families on each day from 12 to 4pm:

Monday 31st July – Muirhouse Avenue Green space

Tuesday 1st August – Clovenstone Community Centre and school grounds

Wednesday 2nd August – Brunstane Community Centre and school grounds

Friday 4th August – Dumbiedykes Park (off Dumbiedykes road)

If you haven’t been to a Playday event yet, I would highly recommend it – full of messy play, mud kitchens, musical play, face painting, water play and much much more !

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 14th-23rd July 2017

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Image result for edinburgh jazz and blues festival 2017

Goodness ! Festival season has totally crept up on me and now it feels like its hurtling towards us at fast speed !! Kicking things off this summer is the Jazz and Blues Festival from the 14th to the 23rd July. This features two very fun and family friendly events, namely Mardi Gras and the festival Carnival ! So expect some magical musical madness and colourful feathers galore !

Mardi Gras is on Saturday 15th July 1pm-4pm. The historic heart of Edinburgh becomes a mini New Orleans for the afternoon.A host of bands create non stop entertainment and a party atmosphere on stages across the Grassmarket, including   latin-swing band mixed with upbeat ska rhythms Swing’It Disney which sounds like one for the little people !

Carnival! imageCarnival is on Sunday 16th July at The Mound, Princes Street and  Princes Street Gardens. It is free admission, thanks to City of Edinburgh Council, timings are:

2.30pm: Parade from The Mound to the West End of Princes Street
3.30pm-5pm: Performances in Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens

There will be over 800 Carnival Performers! With music, dance, costumes, circus acrobats, puppetry from all over the world, this is not to be missed!

 

Film in the City – 16th-18th June

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Image result for film in the city edinburgh 2017With the Edinburgh International Film Festival hitting the city from the 21st June, this weekend is a little outdoor warm up party in St Andrews Square ! Film in the City features free outdoor film screenings all weekend starting Friday afternoon.

An eclectic mix of action blockbusters, cult choices and family favourites gives the whole family the opportunity to experience films in the beautiful setting of St Andrew Square in the heart of the city centre.

Family favourites include a singalong Trolls, Beauty and The Beast, The Jungle Book, Cars and Kubo and The Two Strings…

FRIDAY 16 JUNE

4.30pm – 6.05pm  WHAT’S UP DOC? (Cert U, 1 hr 34 mins, 1972)

6.20pm – 8pm  LABYRINTH (Cert U, 1hr 38mins, 1986)

8.15pm – 10.45pm  AVENGERS ASSEMBLE (Cert 15, 2hr 23mins, 2012)

 

SATURDAY 17 JUNE

10.30am – 12pm  TROLLS (sing-a-long) (Cert U, 1hr 30mins, 2016)

12.20pm – 1.50pm  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (dress up party) (Cert U, 1hr 28mins, 1991)

2.15pm – 4pm  THE JUNGLE BOOK (Cert PG, 1hr 44mins, 2016)

4.25pm – 6.15pm  MAMMA MIA (dance along) (Cert PG, 1hr 46mins, 2008)

6.40pm – 8.20pm  CLUELESS (Cert PG, 1hr 37mins, 1995)

8.45pm – 10.25pm  DIRTY DANCING (dance along) (Cert 12, 1hr 38mins, 1987)

 

SUNDAY 18 JUNE

10.30am – 12.30pm  CARS (Cert PG, 1hr 52mins, 2006)

12.45pm –2.30pm  KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (Cert PG, 1hr 42mins, 2016)

2.45pm – 4.35pm  SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER (Cert U, 1hr 48mins, 1977)

4.45pm – 6.30pm  SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Cert U, 1hr 43mins, 1952)

6.40pm – 8.20pm  HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (Cert 12A, 1hr 37mins, 2016)

8.30pm – 10.45pm  ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (Cert 12A, 2hrs 14mins, 2016)

 

Let’s all hope for some super sunshine so we can get the picnic rugs out and enjoy !

 

It’s Spring……!!!

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So, the weather ‘was’ getting warmer and the flowers have bloomed and the Meadows is awash with blossom which can only mean its Spring…and this means more lovely family events and festivals !! I’m a bit slow off the mark and the brilliant Science festival has been and gone – I hope you managed to enjoy some of it like I did. This weekend has a few offerings that look great for getting out and about and enjoying both the wonders of Spring and the wonders of Edinburgh !!

Spring FestivalFirst up is the Spring Festival at the Botanics….on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April between 1 and 4pm..Come and join in with the Edible Gardening Project as they get started in the vegetable patch for another year. Be inspired by nature and learn all about gardening in an environmentally friendly way. With information for budding gardeners, fun family friendly activities and fresh garden tasters.  This looks like a lovely way to spend an afternoon !

The Narrative of Beltane – in PhotosAnd this Sunday is of course the rather spectacular and fantastic Beltane Fire Festival – and this year marks their 30th Festival so is sure to be something special. Having taken part as a performer for many years, Beltane has a huge place in my heart and I’ll be braving it and bringing the family up the hill on Sunday night for some drumming, fire performance and magic…it all starts around 9.20pm as the sun goes down and the May Queen comes over the Acropolis.

For something more family friendly, the Beltane community are holding a Beltane Community Open Day on Saturday 29th on Calton Hill from 1pm – 4pm

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been to festival before or you’re a long-time Beltaner, or even one of our performers; this day is for everyone. Drop in at any point or stay for the duration!

It’s a chance to celebrate the birth of Summer and find out more about the famous Beltane Fire Festival, which takes place the following day. Explore the changing seasons and the meaning of the festival, with storytelling from key Beltane characters and walking tours of Calton Hill to help you make the most of the big night. There will be music, a chance to try out traditional skills (from fire-making to crafts), and Beltane fun for children (5+, accompanied by their adults) too.

What to bring: your wishes for the year ahead, donations for our buckets, wood for the following night’s Beltane bonfire (if you like), a picnic, and a flask of tea to keep you toasty!

* Storytelling
* Kids Activity Zone
* Drumming Workshops
* Kids Parade
* Live Music
* History of Beltane talk
* Neid Fire workshop
* Walking tours
* Woodland Trust
* Wishing Tree

 

Hope you enjoy the weekend and fingers crossed it warms up a little between now and then !!