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April is set to be the busiest month of the year so far, with hundreds of events and shows taking place throughout the city across the whole month.
With so much going on, it can be hard to decide on which events to attend. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy list of the top things to do in Edinburgh this April:
Edinburgh Tradfest 2022
29 April 2022 – 09 May 2022
Prices Vary
Traverse Theatre / Assembly Rooms / Potter Row
The event kicks off with the fiddle legend from the Highlands Duncan Chisholm performing at the Assembly Rooms showing off his amazing talent with a special guest appearance from Scots Singer of the year nominee Beth Malcolm.
The festival is open to and welcomes all with performances being spread across the Traverse Theatre, Assembly Rooms and Potterrow from the first night on 29th April through to the final night of 9th May.
Throughout the 11 days of the festival there is an outstanding line up of talks, commissions and live music including Come All Ye by Phil Alexander showcasing the impact of immigrants have had on cultural life in Scotland as well as highlighting the diversity that 21st Century Scotland represents.
Other performers include a range of award winners and nominees such as Eliza Carthy with father Martin. Other favourites such as Shooglenifty, Frigg, Sian, The Shee and Project Smok who are sure to entertain you with their unique sounds.
You can book tickets online here >
Van Gogh Alive – The Experience
01 April 2022 – 17 July 2022
£15.00 – £22.00 per person
Festival Square, Lothian Road
Venture into the legendary artist’s world with a beautifully curated, multi-sensory, immersive experience.
Van Gogh Alive – The Experience has already delighted a global audience of over 8.5 million in 75 cities worldwide, and this March the smash-hit exhibition arrives in Edinburgh.
Taking place in a purpose-built venue in Festival Square, this stunningly detailed exhibition immerses visitors in the life and work of Post-Impressionist artist, Vincent van Gogh. A kaleidoscope of colour will greet you as you travel through periods of his life that defined him as an artist; discover over 3,000 of his images presented with stunning detail, including iconic works like Starry Night and Sunflowers, as well as lesser-known paintings that were inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints. All of which are combined with an evocative mix of the sound, visuals and aromas of Provence – giving the sense of real life breathing art.
This mesmerising exhibition will also feature interactive art stations where you can create your own art with the help of expert video tutorials.
Or for a unique souvenir, be sure not to miss the iconic ‘Sunflower selfie room’ – a 360° mirrored room complete with thousands of sunflowers. Create your own modern masterpiece and share using #VanGoghAliveEdinburgh
Tickets for Van Gogh Alive – The Experience are available now and should be pre-booked online>
Terminal V Festival
16 April 2022 – 17 April 2022
£22.50 – £140.57 per person.
Royal Highlands Centre
With 80+ international acts, it’s one of the UK’s biggest indoor music festivals – Terminal V Festival comes to Edinburgh this April.
It’s been two and a half years in the making but now the highly anticipated Terminal V Festival returns to Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre.
Taking place over 2 days, musical lovers will be entertained by more than 80 international acts over 22 hours, with 6 exclusive back-to-back sets, 6 live sets and a handful of weekend residents playing across both days.
This year’s festival will have 5 main indoor stages, as well as a new large additional outside area with 2 further enclosed stages and more attractions.
Saturday will see the 6000 capacity Area V Stage headlined by the likes of Amelie Lens, Sven Vath, Dax J and Helena Hauff; 3500 people will go wild on The Terminal Stage to Alan Fitzpatrick, Joyhauser, Deborah de Luca and T78, while the more intimate Cargo welcomes Haai, Dr Rubinstein and Shanti Celeste. The Hangar will bounce to the sounds of Kobosil, VTSS and more; The Green House brings Floorplan, Ewan McVicar, Kornél Kovács, Mike Servito and Luke Solomon and Blackbox is all about Hector Oaks, Frazier, Regal, Alignment.
On the Sunday, Area V finds Nina Kraviz return with FJAAK, Fraz.ier, Kobosil and Paula Temple, The Terminal will host Green Velvet, Eats Everything, Solardo, Rebuke, Eli Brown and Jamie Roy, while Cargo welcomes Male Grab, Special Request, Young Marco and Effy. The Hangar has Maceo Plex, Tale Of Us, Mind Against, Tijana T and Man Power; The Green House brings house vibes with Chaos in the CBD, Keri Chandler, Cinthie, Prins Thomas, Hammer, Roi Perez and more and Blackbox is home to Perc, Ben Sims, Rolando, Wallis and IDA.
The Typewriter Revolution
01 April 2022 – 11 September 2022
National Museum of Scotland
It has revolutionised the world of work – discover more about the impact of the typewriter in this fascinating exhibition at National Museum of Scotland.
From speeding up the way we write to revolutionising the work place, the typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this new exhibition.
Although now replaced by the modern PC, they still remain a beloved design icon that is still in use today.
Tracing the effect of typewriters across more than 100 years, visitors can explore the evolution of this vital piece of office equipment from weighty early machines to modern style icons.
Showcasing items from National Museum of Scotland’s collection, visitors will be able to see several iconic machines, including a 1876 Sholes and Glidden typewriter – the first to have a QWERTY keyboard; a 1950s electric machine used by Whisky Galore author Sir Compton Mackenzie and the stylish 1970s design icon, the Olivetti Valentine.
The Typewriter Revolution can be seen at National Museum of Scotland until 11 September 2022.
Edinburgh Science Festival
09 April 2022 – 24 April 2022
Various city locations and online.
The UK’s largest Science Festival returns this spring with a jam-packed programme of fun and educational events and activities.
Taking place from Saturday 9 – Sunday 24 April 2022 the theme of this year’s festival is Revolutions. Focusing on the power of circles and revolutionary approaches to everything from personal to planetary health – and with an unashamed emphasis on the urgency of tackling the climate crisis – the 2022 Festival will explore lifeforms, lifecycles and revolutionary science, technology, ideas and solutions to global challenges.
With a family-friendly orientated programme, visitors can get actively involved in learning about all things science. Discover the future of accessible technologies, spacecraft as well as the science of evolution, and the workings of the human body.
Choose from discussions, debates, workshops, tastings, guided walks, exhibitions and nights out, all with a fun and interesting scientific twist that aim to delight and inspire.
This year sees a return to the family hub at City Art Centre and two major new interactive exhibitions, DataSphere and Consumed, alongside a vibrant and varied programme taking place in venues such as Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth, Bellfield Brewery and National Museum of Scotland.
The full programme is available here
Puppet Animation Festival
01 April 2022 – 16 April 2022
Puppet Animation Festival returns with an in-person festival of puppetry, visual theatre and animated film.
Produced by Puppet Animation Scotland, The Puppet Animation Festival champions puppetry, visual theatre and animated film in Scotland and is the UK’s oldest and largest annual festival for children and their families.
Join them in 2022 to celebrate their 39th anniversary and experience one of the 38 performances taking place at venues all over the country.
This year’s programme features performances in both indoor and outdoor settings and heart-warming animated films – offering something for children of all ages to enjoy.
Discover more about Puppet Animation Festival 2022 Programme
