JanuaryJournal

What's on in and around Edinburgh this January?

January at Eastside is about cold crisp wintery days and snow over the festive period. There is nothing more life-affirming than a snowy winter’s day of sledging and walking followed by an evening by the wood-burning stove.

Winter walks and roaring fires

January can be the perfect time to catch some snow in the Pentland Hills as well as the January sales in Edinburgh. Don't miss the opportunity see in the new year with some Scottish ceilidh dancing for Hogmanay and enjoy a Burns supper in celebration of the National Bard at the month's end.

Hogmanay & roaring fires

Festivals & events

Edinburgh's world-famous Hogmanay street party and fireworks display gets the year started quite literally with a bang! Look forward to celebrating the nation's most famous bard (Robert Burns) with dinner, dancing, and poetry at the month's end.

Edinburgh's Christmas | 15th November 2024 - 4th January 2025

Edinburgh's Hogmanay | 30th & 31st December 2024

Burns & Beyond | tbc

Burns Supper at Prestonfield | 23rd January 2025

Scottish Snowdrop Festival | 25th January - 12th March 2025 | the Scottish Snowdrop Festival is celebrated in gardens across the country.

Celebrate Burns night at Prestonfield House

Celebrating burns

Burns Night

On the 25th January, celebrate Burn's Night throughout the capital with Haggis, neeps & tatties, and a good old-fashioned ceilidh. Check back here for an up to date list of some of the best celebrations in the city.

Burns & Beyond celebrates the life works of Scotland’s National Bard, through a series of events presenting art and culture from some of Scotland’s leading performers and musicians | tbc

Burns Ceilidh at the Ghillie Dhu | tbc

Prestonfield Burns Night | 23rd January 2025

For a quick bite of our national dish, nip into the Haggis Box at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, serving haggis (& veggie haggis) neeps & tatties from Tuesday to Sunday. If you want to cook your own Burns supper, get a delicious, locally made Macsween haggis and follow Jamie Oliver's instructions... (no, he's not Scottish but he does seem to know what he's doing!)

Dürer to Van Dyck | Drawings from Chatsworth House & Everlyn Nicodemus

Exhibitions

Turner in January | 1st - 31st January | An Edinburgh tradition: Turner's works, bequeathed to the Gallery by the distinguished collector Henry Vaughan. Vaughan stipulated in his bequest that these delicate watercolours should be ‘exhibited to the public all at one time, free of charge, during the month of January’. His wishes have been faithfully adhered to for over 100 years. This limited exposure has resulted in the works retaining their luminous colours and pristine condition.

Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland | 14th September 2024 - 1st June 2025

Everlyn Nicodemus | 19th October 2024 - 25th May 2025

Stitched: Scotland's Embroidered Art | 25th October 2024 - 18th January 2025

Celebrating 40 Years of Scotland’s Photography Collection | 6th November 2024 - 16th March 2025

Dürer to Van Dyck | Drawings from Chatsworth House | 9th November 2024 - 23rd February 2025

Theatre & entertainment 

Scottish Ballet: The Nutcracker | 8th - 18th January 2025

Mary Poppins | 22nd January - 15th February 2025

Tours and Workshops at the Scottish National Galleries

Workshops and events for adults and children

The National Galleries of Scotland have a huge number of events, tours and artist workshops for both adults and children. See their website for more information.

Hopetoun House and grounds often host ranger walks and house tours throughout the year. See their website for what's on.

Dalkeith Country Park is very similar, bushcraft, walks and foraging workshops are hosted frequently.

Dovecot Studios offer behind-the-scenes tours and workshops on tapestry, drawing and needlework.

And last but not least, the National Museums Scotland host in-depth tours for grown-ups and fantastic exhibition interpretations for little ones.

Food & drink

Looking for a fun days out for foodies?

How about booking yourselves in to Craft Beer Kitchen. Stewarts Brewing has long invited the public in to try their hand at crafting the perfect pint. With expert guidance you can spend the day brewing your very own bespoke beer. If staying at Eastside, the brewery are more than happy to send the beer on (within the UK) when it's ready. Not a bad holiday souvenir!

With Burn's Night on the 25th, it seems apt to visit our local distillery, Glenkinchie. Whiskies from the lowlands are generally considered the most light-bodied of the single malts. Lighter in nature, with a gentle palate, makes them easy to drink - especially for those who are new to single malt whisky. From tastings to behind-the-scenes tours, you can tailor make the whisky experience exactly how you'd like it.

For the eating out in and around Edinburgh we have listed some of our favourite Edinburgh and country based restaurants, shops and suppliers for your January break.

Eating Out in Edinburgh

Craft beer kitchen

spa days

For the best country & city spas in and around Edinburgh look no further than our local spa guide. Fletchers Country Spa, Stobo and One Spa come highly recommended as well as our own little woodland sauna in the Pentlands.

Spas of Edinburgh

Check availability for January