Southside
Museums, theatres and student streets
The Southside runs south from the Old Town along Nicolson Street and Chambers Street, with museums, theatres and the university.
Surgeons' Hall Museums are open daily 10:00 to 17:00. Dovecot Studios has a gallery built around a tapestry studio. The Festival Theatre and the Queen's Hall are both on or near Nicolson Street and Clerk Street.
Nicolson Square, St Patrick Square and Deaconess Gardens are small gardens on the southern edge of the World Heritage Site. The Royal Commonwealth Pool is on Dalkeith Road.
Getting there
The Southside is a short walk from the Old Town and reachable by many city buses.
Nearby neighbourhoods
The best of Southside
Things to do in Southside
What's on in Southside
Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.
Fashioning Hitchcock: Costume and Suspense Activities
Thu 12 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Amelia Bayler: WIP Performance
Fri 13 Nov · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 19:00.
from 19:00 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
Bayeux Inspired Tapestry Weaving Experience Activities
Fri 13 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£150 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
The Comedy Show Performance
Fri 13 Nov · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 20:30.
from 20:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
400 Years of Scottish Landscapes Activities
Sat 14 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Elizabeth Blackadder: A Life in Colour Activities
On now, until 14 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
Free admission · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Starlight Walk Edinburgh Activities
Sat 14 Nov · Pollock Halls
Event at Pollock Halls.
£12.00 to £17.00 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Costume Couture | Lunchtime Tours Activities
On now, until 14 Jan 2027 · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop Activities
On now, until 16 Jan 2027 · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£6.40 to £12.75 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Festival Theatre’s Dementia Friendly Activities Festival
On now, until 30 Nov · Festival Theatre
Festival at Festival Theatre.
Free · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Show all 36 events
Turandot - Scottish Opera Performance
On now, until 22 Nov · Festival Theatre
Performance at Festival Theatre.
from 19:15 · Map · Source: Capital Theatres
Scots Fiddle Festival Festival
20 to 22 Nov · The Pleasance
Festival at The Pleasance.
Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
The Comedy Show Performance
Fri 20 Nov · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 20:30.
from 20:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
Bayeux on the Balcony Exhibition
21 Nov 2026 to 9 Apr 2027 · Dovecot Studios
Exhibition at Dovecot Studios.
Free admission, booking recommended · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Bayeux on the Balcony Opening with the British Museum Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Laldie Ceilidhs Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Assembly Roxy
Event at Assembly Roxy.
£11.25 to £21.25 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Rug Tufting Experience Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£185 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
A Man For All Seasons Performance
24 to 28 Nov · Festival Theatre
Performance at Festival Theatre.
£23.00 to £49.50 · from 19:30 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Crochet Christmas Star Activities
Fri 27 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£65 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Distillery After Dark, Festive Edition Activities
27 Nov to 23 Dec · Holyrood Distillery
Event at Holyrood Distillery.
£35 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh · Distillery After Dark - Festive Edition
John Bright In Conversation Activities
Fri 27 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£20 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Story Platform Performance
Fri 27 Nov · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 18:30.
from 18:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
The Comedy Show Performance
Fri 27 Nov · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 20:30.
from 20:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
Costume Couture Curator Talk Activities
Sat 28 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
Free with Costume Couture exhibition ticket · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Festive Vintage Market Market
Sat 28 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Market at Dovecot Studios.
Free admission (booking required) · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Wired-Edge Beaded Stumpwork Workshop Activities
Sat 28 Nov · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£80 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
The Choir of Man Concert
1 to 5 Dec · Festival Theatre
Concert at Festival Theatre.
£29 to £55 · from 19:30 · Map · Source: Forever Edinburgh
Short Attention Span Theatre Performance
Wed 2 Dec · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 19:00.
from 19:00 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
Prince: Music, Fashion and Costume Activities
Thu 3 Dec · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
The Comedy Show Performance
Fri 4 Dec · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 20:30.
from 20:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
Paper Flower Making: Mistletoe Activities
Sat 5 Dec · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£60 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Tapestry Talks: The Scottish Tapestry Trail Activities
Sat 5 Dec · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Toile Tales with Timorous Beasties Activities
Thu 10 Dec · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£15 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
Scottish Ballet: Cinders! Performance
11 to 24 Dec · Festival Theatre
Performance at Festival Theatre.
from 19:30 · Map · Source: Capital Theatres
Statement Fabric Jewellery Activities
Fri 11 Dec · Dovecot Studios
Event at Dovecot Studios.
£65 · Map · Source: Dovecot Studios
The Comedy Show Performance
Fri 11 Dec · The Gilded Saloon
Comedy or theatre night at the Gilded Saloon on Lothian Street, starting at 20:30.
from 20:30 · Map · Source: Gilded Balloon
From the blog
Stay in Southside
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