What's on in Edinburgh

Edinburgh events in May 2027

26 events in May 2027: 7 performances, 6 markets, 5 concerts, 5 activities and classes, 1 festival, 1 sports event and 1 exhibition, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs.

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 on the season in Neighbourhood guides.

Map

Don't miss in May 2027

Salisbury Crags and Edinburgh Castle seen across the grassland of Holyrood Park
Sports Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027 29 May to 30 May 2027 · Southside 10k, 5k and junior races on Saturday 29 May 2027 in Holyrood Park, then the Half Marathon (8:00) and Marathon (10:00) on Sunday 30 May from Potterrow to Musselburgh. Photo: Magnus Hagdorn, CC BY-SA 2.0

Calendar

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Day by day

Each event on its first day still ahead. Tap a day in the calendar for everything on that day and its gigs.

1 event

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027Southside · Holyrood Park and Potterrow to Musselburgh · 29 May to 30 May 2027

On for weeks

1 long run, such as exhibitions and illuminations: on for more than a week, so shown once instead of every day.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival 2027Old Town · Venues across Edinburgh · 29 May to 6 Jun 2027

Planning a trip in May

The calendar above lists 26 events in May 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Edinburgh compares the main areas.

More things to do in Edinburgh in May

Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover May.

Also worth a look

Good to know

What is on in Edinburgh in May 2027?

There are 26 events listed for May 2027 (7 performances, 6 markets, 5 concerts, 5 activities and classes, 1 festival, 1 sports event and 1 exhibition). The big dates are Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027 (29 May to 30 May 2027). 26 have confirmed dates. Every listing links to the interactive map.

What festivals are on in Edinburgh in May 2027?

The festival listed for May 2027 is Edinburgh International Children's Festival 2027 (29 May to 6 Jun 2027). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.

Are there free events in Edinburgh in May 2027?

Yes. 3 of the 26 events listed for May 2027 are free to attend.

Is May a good time to visit Edinburgh?

May in Edinburgh. The Children's Festival starts on 29 May and the Edinburgh Marathon Festival runs on 29 and 30 May in 2027.

How current is this list?

Dated events are checked against the organiser's own page, and finished events drop off the page on their own. Annual events further out carry their usual dates until the official ones are published.

Running an event? Add your event and it's checked within a day.