June is a month to celebrate. After all, with this month comes long, wild Scottish evenings and more festivals than there are days. Between the array of hot new exhibitions and ever-evolving menu of foodie activities, say hello to summer with all the top things to do in Edinburgh during June.
📅 Friday, 2nd June – Sunday, 4th June
Kicking off June in style, the Edinburgh Juniper Festival is suited to those who live and breathe all things gin. Not just any old festival, gin fanatics can taste their way through all the hot new G&T companies, as well as all the tried and true gin staples. The cucumber on top is the enticing array of gin-related talks and other unique experiences.
Tickets: £21.50
📅 Saturday, 3rd June – Sunday, 4th June
The Edinburgh Meadows Festival is a beautiful example of community spirit and one cracker of a party! With locals and volunteers at the helm, this bouncing festival has been an unmissable annual affair since 1974, with the array of live music, performers, tasty eats and stalls galore.
Tickets: Free
📅 Thursday, 8th June – Friday, 9th June
Leave any deadlines or arduous emails at the office and let the witty words of Ricky Gervais make you laugh all cares away. Deemed as one of the greatest British comedians since the Charlie Chaplin days, Humanity marks the end of a 7-year stand-up hiatus for Gervais. Don’t miss out on what is projected to be the comedic gold of 2017.
Tickets: £35+
📅 Saturday, 10th June (Runs Every Saturday)
Adding an abundance of flavour to the term ‘pit stop’, swing by The Pitt Market and enter into a foodie playground overflowing with street food, courtesy of Scotland’s best street eat vendors. This weekly market is hosted from an industrial yard in Leith and boasts barrels of artisanal booze, platters of street food delights and local live bands. The cherry on top is that it lasts well into the night.
Tickets: Free
📅 Friday, 16th June
A tapestry of deep-rooted memories, In The Ink Dark is an intuitive project that calls upon the life experiences of those in Leith and the rest of Edinburgh. Through delving deep into the hinterland of the mind to unearth memories surrounding core human issues like loss, love, landscape, memory, materiality and any other intimate topic, the project will portray the illuminated conversations in a dance performance, poem and series of podcasts. This rare and intimate work is the brainchild of talented choreographer and performance artist Luke Pell and fellow collaborators.
Tickets: £5.50
📅 Saturday, 17th June — Sunday, 24th September
A must-see treat for any art aficionado, Beyond Caravaggio is the first ever exhibition in Scotland showcasing works by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and his trusty followers, the ‘Caravaggesque Painters’. Prepare to be transfixed with his mesmerising use of dramatic lighting and compositions, and ponder over the tumultuous life of such a revolutionary artist whose work impacted many of Europe’s greatest painters.
Tickets: £12
📅 Saturday, 17th June — Sunday, 18th June
Whether new to the wheels or avid daily cycler, the Edinburgh Night Run is a unique and adventurous way to raise money for charities across the UK. Join in with the other hundreds of cyclists (all skill levels welcome) and cruise through the streets of Edinburgh by night. From Arthur’s Seat to the Forth Road Bridge, see the city from a new star-clad perspective and peddle away for the full 50 miles.
Tickets: £34 Registration Fee + Minimum of £165 sponsorship per person
📅 Saturday, 17th June
What better way to spend a Saturday than sampling every whisky in sight while learning all the tricks and tips of the trade? Head to the iconic Assembly Rooms for the Edinburgh Whisky Festival and experience a true sip of Scotland in what can only be described as a dram dreamland. Anticipate all the big-name brands and some surprises in there too.
Tickets: £30
📅 Thursday, 22nd June — Sunday, 25th June
One does not simply surpass attending the Highland Show. When it hits Edinburgh, you go. From Scotland’s finest livestock and show horses, to agricultural paraphernalia, crafts, art and enough food for a lifetime, the fun truly is never ending. Even city slickers don’t miss out on this epic event. Besides, nothing can outdo the food and booze halls.
Tickets: £19+
📅 Wednesday, 21st June – Sunday, 2nd July
Quite the cultural affair spread across a wealth of exciting venues, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is an artistic outlet for film buffs and filmmakers to make an impact and call upon core emotions. Inaugurated in 1947 and still going strong, this internationally acclaimed cinematic shindig is the longest running festival of its kind in the world and showcases a myriad of riveting films worth witnessing.
Tickets: See EIFF Schedule
📅 Friday, 23rd June – Sunday, 12th November
As part of the acclaimed Edinburgh Art Festival, the National Museum of Scotland is hosting a brand new major exhibition surrounding the Jacobites and their unique leader. Between the 300 plus artifacts — think costumes, jewellery, weapons, paintings and other curiosities — and the exploration of accompanying romantic myths and speculations, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites is a portal to a past that once was and an outstanding look at a captivating portion of history.
Tickets: £10
📅 Friday, 30th June (Every Friday)
Start the weekend with a wee browse at the LocalMotive Market held at Platform 2 in Waverley Train Station. Go wild and stock up on creative arts and crafts and take advantage of the delicious eats on offer, from homemade gourmet cakes to cold-pressed juices and hot street food. All products are ethically sourced and showcase the best of local produce.
Tickets: Free
📅 Friday, 30th June — Saturday, 8th July
The International Magic Festival is so much more than a rabbit emerging from a hat. A local fixture since 2010, this hypnotic social affair presents magic as an art form, a vehicle to enchant and impress. Take your pick from 80 events and let the mind reel with an unprecedented array of tricks and performances. One taste and you’re bound to be hooked.
Tickets: Varies
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