Plan your trip
The best time to visit Edinburgh is June, July and September, the months with an average high between 17°C and 26°C and the fewest rainy days.
The answer takes the months whose average daily high is between 17°C and 26°C, ranked by fewest rainy days, from Met Office averages for 1991 to 2020 at the Edinburgh, Gogarbank station. Event counts are not part of the rule.
The event counts are what the calendar lists so far. Months further ahead fill in as organisers announce their dates, so a small number in a far month means not announced yet, not a quiet month.
Average high 10°C (49°F), low 4°C (39°F), 74 mm of rain on about 13 days.
288 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns (13 Nov 2026 to 21 Feb 2027), Edinburgh's Christmas (14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027) and LNER Big Wheel (14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027). See November 2026
November in Edinburgh. Christmas events begin to appear, alongside the usual concerts, theatre and gallery shows. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 7°C (45°F), low 1°C (35°F), 75 mm of rain on about 13 days.
262 events listed so far, including Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party (31 Dec), Hogmanay in the Gardens with Underworld (31 Dec) and Torchlight Procession (29 Dec). See December 2026
December in Edinburgh. Christmas events run through the month and the Hogmanay programme closes the year. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 7°C (44°F), low 2°C (35°F), 73 mm of rain on about 13 days.
110 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Academical Club Burns Supper (15 Jan 2027), Lord Provost's Fundraising Burns Supper (22 Jan 2027) and Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns (13 Nov 2026 to 21 Feb 2027). See January 2027
January in Edinburgh. Hogmanay winds down and Burns Night on 25 January fills pubs and halls with suppers, songs and ceilidhs. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 8°C (46°F), low 2°C (35°F), 61 mm of rain on about 11 days.
76 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns (13 Nov 2026 to 21 Feb 2027). See February 2027
February in Edinburgh. Theatres, comedy clubs and gig rooms carry the month, and the days start to lengthen. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 9°C (49°F), low 3°C (37°F), 52 mm of rain on about 10 days.
62 events listed so far.
March in Edinburgh. Gallery shows, concerts and theatre fill the weeks before the spring festivals. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 12°C (54°F), low 4°C (40°F), 46 mm of rain on about 9 days.
44 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Science Festival 2027 (3 Apr to 18 Apr 2027). See April 2027
April in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Science Festival runs 3 to 18 April in 2027, with talks, shows and family events across the city. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 15°C (59°F), low 7°C (44°F), 50 mm of rain on about 11 days.
29 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027 (29 May to 30 May 2027). See May 2027
May in Edinburgh. The Children's Festival starts on 29 May and the Edinburgh Marathon Festival runs on 29 and 30 May in 2027. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 17°C (63°F), low 9°C (49°F), 69 mm of rain on about 11 days.
13 events listed so far. See June 2027
June in Edinburgh. Children's Festival events run to 6 June, and the Tour de France opens its 2027 race with a ceremony on 30 June. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 19°C (67°F), low 11°C (52°F), 72 mm of rain on about 11 days.
12 events listed so far, including Tour de France Grand Départ (2 Jul 2027) and Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2027 (16 Jul to 25 Jul 2027). See July 2027
July in Edinburgh. The Tour de France Grand Depart is on 2 July in 2027, and the Jazz and Blues Festival runs 16 to 25 July. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 19°C (67°F), low 11°C (52°F), 75 mm of rain on about 11 days.
12 events listed so far, including Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2027 (6 Aug to 30 Aug 2027), The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2027 (6 Aug to 28 Aug 2027) and Edinburgh International Film Festival 2027 (12 Aug to 18 Aug 2027). See August 2027
August in Edinburgh. The Fringe runs 6 to 30 August in 2027, the Tattoo 6 to 28 August and the Film Festival 12 to 18 August. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 17°C (62°F), low 9°C (49°F), 55 mm of rain on about 11 days.
9 events listed so far.
September in Edinburgh. The August festivals are over, and galleries, theatres and gig rooms return to their own programmes. More in Neighbourhood guides.
Average high 13°C (56°F), low 6°C (44°F), 83 mm of rain on about 13 days.
9 events listed so far.
October in Edinburgh. Concerts, theatre and exhibitions fill the autumn programme as the evenings draw in. More in Neighbourhood guides.
The best-known event of each month that has one on the calendar so far:
The best time to visit Edinburgh is June, July and September, the months with an average high between 17°C and 26°C and the fewest rainy days. The answer takes the months whose average daily high is between 17°C and 26°C, ranked by fewest rainy days, from Met Office averages for 1991 to 2020 at the Edinburgh, Gogarbank station. Event counts are not part of the rule.
Warmest month: July, with an average high of 19°C (67°F). Coolest month: January, with an average high of 7°C (44°F).
Wettest month: January, with about 13 rainy days. Driest month: April, with about 9 rainy days.