Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

The white tower and dome of Camera Obscura on the Castlehill skyline — Photo: Travel Stock Photos / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

A five-floor attraction on Castlehill with more than 100 illusions and a rooftop terrace over the city. Its page says a valid Kids for a Quid train ticket gets one free child ticket per full-paying adult.

Rainy day With kids

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What's on near Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, from the weekly Edinburgh events calendar.

Sports

Tour de France Grand Départ

2 Jul 2027 Edinburgh Old Town to Southside, Old Town

Stage 1 of the 114th Tour de France leaves Edinburgh's Old Town on 2 July 2027, through the city centre and the Southside towards Midlothian and the Borders.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Edinburgh Old Town to Southside, 2 to 3 July

Theatre and shows

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2027

6 Aug to 28 Aug 2027 Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Old Town

Military tattoo on the Castle Esplanade, 6 to 28 August 2027. The 2027 show is called The Same Heart Beat.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, 6 to 8 August

Edinburgh Castle on its volcanic rock seen from below in evening light

nairnbairn, CC BY-SA 2.0

Festival Starts in 2 days

LNER Big Wheel

14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 East Princes Street Gardens, New Town

Time 10:00 to 22:00

Big wheel in East Princes Street Gardens, 10:00 to 22:00 with last admission 21:30, from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Closed on 25 December.

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The Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens with Edinburgh Castle on its rock behind

Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Festival Starts in 2 days

Edinburgh's Christmas

14 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 East and West Princes Street Gardens and George Street, New Town

Time 10:00 to 22:00

Christmas market in East Princes Street Gardens open daily 10:00 to 22:00, with fairground rides in West Princes Street Gardens, from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Closed on 25 December.

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Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Theatre and shows

Night Afore Party with The Fratellis

30 Dec West Princes Street Gardens, New Town

Time 18:00

Party beneath Edinburgh Castle with The Fratellis on 30 December 2026, starting at 18:00. Ticketed, ages 12 and over.

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Stay nearby Hotels near West Princes Street Gardens, 30 to 31 December

Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

Smaller local events nearby

Lighthouse lives: Stories from Scotland's Keepers Activities
Thu 12 Nov · National Library of Scotland, Old Town
Event at National Library of Scotland.
from 17:30 · Map · Source: National Library of Scotland
Robert Louis Stevenson Day - Paddling Their Own Canoes Exhibition
Fri 13 Nov · The Writers' Museum, Old Town
Exhibition at The Writers' Museum, Old Town.
Map · Source: Culture Edinburgh

See every upcoming event in Edinburgh

Nearby

The Scotch Whisky Experience Museum · right here A whisky attraction on Castlehill with tours, tastings, a shop and a free audio guide. The Jolly Judge Pub · 1 min walk A pub in James Court off the Lawnmarket. Victoria Street Shopping · 2 min walk The curved, cobbled street that links the Lawnmarket to the Grassmarket, listed by the official city guide among the Grassmarket's shopping streets. The Liquid Room Nightlife · 2 min walk A live music and club venue at 9C Victoria Street. Museum on the Mound Museum · 2 min walk A free museum about money and banking in the Bank of Scotland's headquarters on the Mound. The Writers' Museum Museum · 2 min walk A museum in Lady Stair's House on the Lawnmarket about Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Around Old Town

Castle, Royal Mile and the closes

The Old Town runs down a ridge from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museums, closes and kirks here are mostly a short walk from each other.

Old Town has 32 places on the Roam Edinburgh map: 17 museums, 5 bars, 3 landmarks, 3 churches and cathedrals, 1 shop, 1 park or garden, 1 market and 1 pub. Read the Old Town guide.

Grassmarket Landmark · 2 min walk
National Library of Scotland Museum · 3 min walk
The Bongo Club Nightlife · 3 min walk
Sneaky Pete's Nightlife · 3 min walk
St Giles' Cathedral Church · 4 min walk
Edinburgh Castle Landmark · 4 min walk
Greyfriars Kirk Church · 4 min walk
The Real Mary King's Close Museum · 4 min walk

Stay near Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

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See hotels near Camera Obscura and World of Illusions on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Edinburgh earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.