The Edinburgh Address & Adore ScotlandFrom the return of the Edinburgh Science Festival to major theatre productions, live music and the iconic Beltane Fire Festival, there's something happening across the city all month long. Here's our guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh in April 2027. Edinburgh Science Festival (3 - 18 April 2027) One of the city's biggest spring highlights is the Edinburgh Science Festival, the world's first public science festival. Running from Saturday 3 April to Sunday 18 April 2027, this year's theme is Dreamers, celebrating creativity, innovation and the people imagining a better future. Visitors can enjoy hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, family activities, inspiring talks and evening events across venues including the National Museum of Scotland and City Art Centre. Advance booking is recommended for the most popular events. Experience the Beltane Fire Festival (30 April 2027) End the month with one of Edinburgh's most unforgettable traditions. Held every year on 30 April, the Beltane Fire Festival transforms Calton Hill into a spectacular celebration inspired by ancient Celtic customs. Expect fire performers, music, drumming, elaborate costumes and theatrical storytelling as thousands gather to welcome the arrival of summer. Tickets usually sell out well in advance, so it's worth booking early once they are released. See a Show April's theatre calendar is packed with fantastic productions. Highlights include: Gentleman Jack: Festival Theatre (1 - 3 April) The Mousetrap: Edinburgh Playhouse (5 - 10 April) CATS: Edinburgh Playhouse (20 - 24 April) Midsomer Murders - The Killings at Badger's Drift: Festival Theatre (28 April - 1 May) Whether you're travelling as a couple or with the family, Edinburgh's theatres offer entertainment every evening. Enjoy Live Music Music lovers are spoiled for choice throughout April, with concerts taking place across the city. Some highlights include: The Drifters: Usher Hall (2 April) Nearly Dan: Liquid Room (2 April) Björn Again: Usher Hall (3 April) Dunedin Consort: Strings of Italy: Queen's Hall (25 April) Many smaller venues also host comedy, jazz and folk performances throughout the month. Explore Edinburgh's Spring Gardens April is one of the most beautiful times to visit the city's parks and gardens. Take a stroll through: Princes Street Gardens The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Inverleith Park The Meadows Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat Cherry blossom and spring flowers are usually at their best during the month, making these ideal spots for a picnic or afternoon walk. Visit Edinburgh's Top Attractions Many of Edinburgh's most popular attractions are perfect whatever the weather. Don't miss: Edinburgh Castle Palace of Holyroodhouse National Museum of Scotland Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Scottish National Gallery The Real Mary King's Close Booking ahead is recommended during school holiday periods and weekends. Browse Edinburgh's Markets Looking for local food and artisan gifts? These popular markets run throughout April: Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace) – Saturdays Grassmarket Market – Saturdays Leith Market – Saturdays You'll find local produce, baked goods, crafts, artwork and Scottish gifts from independent traders. Discover Edinburgh's Hidden Streets April's milder weather makes it ideal for exploring on foot. Take time to wander through: Victoria Street Dean Village Circus Lane The Royal Mile Stockbridge Calton Hill Many visitors find these quieter neighbourhoods become the highlight of their trip. Family-Friendly Things To Do Travelling with children? April offers plenty of family favourites including: Dynamic Earth Edinburgh Zoo National Museum of Scotland Camera Obscura Edinburgh Science Festival events Boat trips on the Firth of Forth There are activities suitable for toddlers through to teenagers. Where to Stay in Edinburgh April is a wonderful time to enjoy Edinburgh before the busy summer festival season arrives. Staying in a centrally located holiday apartment makes it easy to walk to many of the city's biggest attractions, restaurants and events while enjoying the comfort of your own space. Browse our collection of luxury Edinburgh holiday apartments to find the perfect base for your spring city break.

What's On in Edinburgh in April 2027 Events, Festivals & Things To Do

Written by Daisy Curtis, Partnership & Growth Manager

Updated

April 2027 in Edinburgh is a fantastic time to visit with lots to do. Here are our top tips!

Visit Edinburgh streets during April 2027 - View down old Edinburgh streets, with a church on the right and people milling in the streets.
View down old Edinburgh streets, with a church on the right and people milling in the streets.

As Edinburgh enjoys longer days and the first real signs of spring, April is one of the best times to visit Scotland's capital. Whether you're planning a family break, a romantic getaway or a weekend of sightseeing, the city offers a brilliant mix of festivals, cultural events, outdoor adventures and world-class attractions.
And whatever the month, pack a waterproof, just in case!

Find your place to stay nearby…

From world-class festivals and live theatre to spring walks and hidden gems, April is one of the best times to experience Edinburgh.

From the return of the Edinburgh Science Festival to major theatre productions, live music and the iconic Beltane Fire Festival, there's something happening across the city all month long.

Here's our guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh in April 2027.


Edinburgh Science Festival (3 - 18 April 2027)

One of the city's biggest spring highlights is the Edinburgh Science Festival, the world's first public science festival.

Running from Saturday 3 April to Sunday 18 April 2027, this year's theme is Dreamers, celebrating creativity, innovation and the people imagining a better future. Visitors can enjoy hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, family activities, inspiring talks and evening events across venues including the National Museum of Scotland and City Art Centre.

Advance booking is recommended for the most popular events.


Experience the Beltane Fire Festival (30 April 2027)

End the month with one of Edinburgh's most unforgettable traditions.

Held every year on 30 April, the Beltane Fire Festival transforms Calton Hill into a spectacular celebration inspired by ancient Celtic customs. Expect fire performers, music, drumming, elaborate costumes and theatrical storytelling as thousands gather to welcome the arrival of summer.

Tickets usually sell out well in advance, so it's worth booking early once they are released.


See a Show

April's theatre calendar is packed with fantastic productions.

Highlights include:

  • Gentleman Jack: Festival Theatre (1 - 3 April)
  • The Mousetrap: Edinburgh Playhouse (5 - 10 April)
  • CATS: Edinburgh Playhouse (20 - 24 April)
  • Midsomer Murders - The Killings at Badger's Drift: Festival Theatre (28 April - 1 May)

Whether you're travelling as a couple or with the family, Edinburgh's theatres offer entertainment every evening.


Enjoy Live Music

Music lovers are spoiled for choice throughout April, with concerts taking place across the city.

Some highlights include:

  • The Drifters: Usher Hall (2 April)
  • Nearly Dan: Liquid Room (2 April)
  • Björn Again: Usher Hall (3 April)
  • Dunedin Consort: Strings of Italy: Queen's Hall (25 April)

Many smaller venues also host comedy, jazz and folk performances throughout the month.


Explore Edinburgh's Spring Gardens

April is one of the most beautiful times to visit the city's parks and gardens.

Take a stroll through:

  • Princes Street Gardens
  • The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
  • Inverleith Park
  • The Meadows
  • Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat

Cherry blossom and spring flowers are usually at their best during the month, making these ideal spots for a picnic or afternoon walk.


Visit Edinburgh's Top Attractions

Many of Edinburgh's most popular attractions are perfect whatever the weather.

Don't miss:

  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Palace of Holyroodhouse
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
  • Scottish National Gallery
  • The Real Mary King's Close

Booking ahead is recommended during school holiday periods and weekends.


Browse Edinburgh's Markets

Looking for local food and artisan gifts?

These popular markets run throughout April:

  • Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace) – Saturdays
  • Grassmarket Market – Saturdays
  • Leith Market – Saturdays

You'll find local produce, baked goods, crafts, artwork and Scottish gifts from independent traders.


Discover Edinburgh's Hidden Streets

April's milder weather makes it ideal for exploring on foot.

Take time to wander through:

  • Victoria Street
  • Dean Village
  • Circus Lane
  • The Royal Mile
  • Stockbridge
  • Calton Hill

Many visitors find these quieter neighbourhoods become the highlight of their trip.


Family-Friendly Things To Do

Travelling with children?

April offers plenty of family favourites including:

  • Dynamic Earth
  • Edinburgh Zoo
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Camera Obscura
  • Edinburgh Science Festival events
  • Boat trips on the Firth of Forth

There are activities suitable for toddlers through to teenagers.


Where to Stay in Edinburgh

April is a wonderful time to enjoy Edinburgh before the busy summer festival season arrives.

Staying in a centrally located holiday apartment makes it easy to walk to many of the city's biggest attractions, restaurants and events while enjoying the comfort of your own space.

Browse our collection of luxury Edinburgh holiday apartments to find the perfect base for your spring city break.

Planning Your April Visit

April typically brings mild spring temperatures of around 8-13°C, with a mix of sunshine and occasional showers. Pack layers, comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof jacket so you're ready to explore whatever the weather.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a longer stay, April 2027 promises an exciting programme of festivals, theatre, music, history and outdoor adventures that showcase Edinburgh at its springtime best.


Whatever your plans are for visiting Edinburgh during April 2027, The Edinburgh Address has the perfect self-catering holiday home for you and your group.

We offer a hand-picked collection of holiday accommodation all over the city to suit a range of different tastes and budgets.

Book your Edinburgh city centre holiday home here today, or give us call on 0131 261 8646 so we can find the perfect place for you and your family.

See our hand-picked accommodation …