What’s On? Your Go-to Guide for Edinburgh in October 2025

Last Updated on 1st September 2025 by Charlotte Nadeau

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No place screams cosy fall season more than Scotland’s gothic fairytale capital city. Edinburgh in October is a haven of Autumnal delights, from quirky museums, hidden bookshops and warming cafés where you can curl up and watch the world pass by. Here’s your ultimate go-to guide for Edinburgh in October, as well as top tips from a local!

Is it good to visit Edinburgh in October?

There are few destinations where you can say that October is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit. But, for Edinburgh, this is true! Thanks to its Gothic architecture, haunted histories and sweeping landscape that blazes yellow and umber tones come Autumn, Scotland’s capital is everything you could want and more when it comes to experiencing the full force of the season.

It’s also a month when the city has come to a complete calm after the annual Fringe Festival, having doubled its population in August. So, you can expect prices to be slightly lower, crowds to be smaller, and the locals back out from hiding.

Weather in October in Edinburgh

It’s no secret that Scottish weather isn’t known for its warmth and sunshine. Instead, you can typically expect grey, cloudy skies, wind, and rainy forecasts during the fall. That’s not to say there’s no sun, in October when the sun shines at low light, the city comes to life with shadows and shapes that fill it with wonder and intrigue.

When it comes to umbrellas, I wouldn’t bother as Edinburgh is so close to the coast that strong gusts of wind are common during periods of rainfall. Too many times over the years have I seen visitors battle against the currents of wind, only for their umbrella to fall victim to the forces of nature which usually only ends one way, another brolly in the bin.

What to wear

To best prepare for Edinburgh’s weather in October, it’s wise to bring layers, remember, it’s always possible to layer down. Your best friend will be a waterproof coat and this will protect you from the rain and any possible winds. Finally, be sure to wear some sturdy walking shoes as there are lots of hills and cobblestones throughout the city.

What to do in Edinburgh in October

Visit one of the lesser-known museums in the city

There’s no better place in a city to find respite from the colder weather than in a museum filled with curiosities to uncover for an hour or so. Luckily, Edinburgh is filled with small and uniquely focused museums (lots of which are completely free to enter!)

As the country’s capital city, Edinburgh is home to the National Museum of Scotland, which showcases a huge collection of Scottish history and culture.

Cosy up in a bookshop

When I think of warmth, cosiness and all things Autumn, I imagine curling up in a jumper and getting stuck into a good book. Edinburgh is filled with hidden bookshops that are stacked high with literary treasures, some of which even encourage you to sit in!

One of my favourite bookshops in Edinburgh has to be Toppings & Co., which is brimming from floor to ceiling with endless copies of all genres. There are several nooks throughout where visitors can sit and read, soaking up the enchanting forest of books here. Plus, if you ask a member of staff they can provide you with free tea or coffee while you read! Read our guide on how to visit Toppings in Edinburgh.

Explore the city

October in Edinburgh brings crisp, fresh air that can fuel a type of inspiration in those who love to wander. The city is cosy in its shopfronts filled with knitted wool jumpers, the Gothic architecture that exudes a spooky feel of the season and, of course, the cold gusts that leave you wrapping your scarf around that bit tighter.

Thanks to its size, the majority of Edinburgh is easily explored on foot, that is, if you don’t mind the odd hill or wonky cobblestoned lanes.

Some of the best parts to explore in Edinburgh include its Old Town and the famous street, The Royal Mile. Here, you’ll find several boutique shops, some independent eateries and excellent views of Edinburgh Castle from the historic square known as Grassmarket.

Climb the Scotts Monument

While the winter weather may not make hillwalking appealing for some, there are a few viewpoints in the city which take less risk in the elements, one of which is the Scotts Monument.

This Victorian Gothic spire pierces Edinburgh’s skyline and has become an iconic image of the city. The monument was first constructed in 1840 in honour of the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. The eerie and blackened-by-time monument is decorated with 64 figures that represent characters from the writer’s novels.

The Scott Monument has an entry fee to visit and is open to the public daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm (closing for a lunch break between 12:30 pm and 1:45 pm). To reach its summit, visitors must climb 287 steps, at the top you are greeted with views overlooking Edinburgh’s Old Town and its beautiful architecture.

Take a ghost tour around Edinburgh’s Old Town

Edinburgh is swathed in myths, legends and haunted ghost stories, all of which are fitting for the spooky season that October encompasses. There are several tours available including the Ghost Bus Tour, City of the Dead Tour and an underground walking tour of Edinburgh’s Vaults. Book an Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky like this one.

Seek out the fall foliage

Scotland’s capital is a green city, filled with pockets of nature in its squares, parks and surrounding hillsides that make up the landscape. Therefore, when Autumn falls upon Edinburgh it becomes rich and vivid with reds, yellows and burnt orange.

Some of the best places to spy out fall foliage are around Edinburgh Castle, in The Meadows and Princes St Gardens, or from atop Calton Hill and in the quaint area known as Dean Village.

Read in a cosy café

Discover Edinburgh’s coffee scene by wandering around and stumbling across one of the hundreds of cute and cosy cafés that decorate the city. Some of the best neighbourhoods in the city to find a concentration of cosy cafés to choose from include Bruntsfield, Stockbridge, Morningside and Leith.

Head to a festival

Festivals are often thought of as a summer activity. However, Edinburgh is often referred to as the ‘City of Festivals’, as it’s not just home to the world’s largest performing arts festival in August but also hosts a multitude of smaller festivals throughout the year.

In October, Edinburgh hosts their version of Oktoberfest (see more about this below) as well as a small Edinburgh Horror Festival, which takes place in one of the city’s most haunted pubs, Banshee’s Labyrinth.

Edinburgh Cocktail Week is another popular annual festival in which various bars around the city partake. If you purchase a wristband, this allows both an entrance to the Cocktail Village located at Festival Square as well as a £5 cocktail from any bar which is part of the festival (the cocktail is typically a specific creation by one of the bartenders who have submitted their entry to the festival).

Edinburgh Horror Festival 2025 (23rd – 26th October)

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival 2025 (1st – 19th October)

Oktoberfest Edinburgh 2025 ( 3rd – 5th October)

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 (3rd – 12th October)

Soak up inspiration in an art gallery

During the summer months, it can feel like a waste to be inside when the sun is beating down. However, Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy all the indoor activities Edinburgh has to offer, including its eclectic mix of art galleries.

From The National Gallery, which houses masterpieces painted by Van Gogh, Titian, Monet and more, there are also plenty of small modern contemporary galleries which showcase emerging artists’ work.

A personal favourite is a visit to the gallery Dovecot Studios. This is one of the two working tapestry and weaving studios in the UK, and if you visit on a weekday (during the hours of 12 pm – 3 pm) you can see the weavers hard at work crafting tapestries. While the gallery also hosts a series of rotating exhibitions, these are a little on the pricey side.

Tour a whisky distillery (and enjoy a dram!)

Whisky can be drunk any time of the year, but it’s well known to be the golden liquid that has warmed the soul and kept the Scots happy for centuries. Indeed, whisky makes up for 77% of all the country’s food and drink exports, and there are currently 150 or so active distilleries today.

Referred to by locals as a “wee nip”, whisky is part of Scottish culture and the best (and only) way to learn about its importance is by visiting the source, a distillery. There are only two in Edinburgh itself, both of which are fairly new.

Holyrood Distillery – This distillery was established in 2019, and like many distilleries that wait for their whisky to age (which legally has to for 3 years and 1 day), Holyrood started by making a delicious selection of simple, yet tasty, gin! By the end of 2023 a fittingly named whisky, Holyrood Arrival came out as their first release.

A tour around the distillery takes around 1 hour and you’ll be able to sample all sorts of spirits, from their gin to new make (un-aged whisky) and now their actual whisky. The tour is informative and fun, and it’s fascinating to learn how a new distillery is pushing the boundaries of experimenting with yeast and malt when it comes to making whisky. Book a whisky tour for Holyrood Distillery here.

Port of Leith – This is Scotland’s tallest vertical distillery, which stands at nine stories high. Unusual for a distillery because of the huge copper stills that are required to make the golden malt, Port of Leith sits proudly at the water’s edge and there’s also a bar on the 8th floor where you can sip on whisky with a view and enjoy delicious food. Book a tour and tasting for Port of Leith here.

Listen live music in a historic pub

When visiting Edinburgh, you’re guaranteed to never be too far from a historic pub, and there’s nothing cosier than settling in for the evening with a tipple and enjoying the convivial atmosphere.

Edinburgh has a thriving music scene; one of the genres favoured by people visiting is that of traditional folk music. However, if you want to see bagpipes, I recommend walking down the Royal Mile… inside a pub, the noise levels can be deafening (but they are played inside more often than you might think).

Scotland has a rich pub culture, and almost every day of the week, you are likely to find at least one or two pubs that have live music. Here are a few suggested top spots:

• The Ensign Ewart
• The Black Cat
• The Mother Superior
• Malt & Hops (Jazz on Sundays)
• The Shore
• The Jazz Bar (more of a late-night venue, but all genres of music are played)

Another place to visit is Uno Mas on a Wednesday night (10 pm onwards). This open mic jam session is where local musicians and amateurs alike take to the stage and essentially “jam” together. It’s also free to partake in if you happen to be a musical person yourself!

Catch a show at the theatre

Edinburgh is renowned for its entertainment scene, so if you’re ever in doubt about how to spend an evening in the city in October, you can always rely on there being a show to catch. Though its worth noting, many of the theatres host touring shows so you might need to book in advance to secure a ticket.

Take part in a pub quiz!

When the evenings are colder and darker, there’s nothing better than cosying up, and it’s always fun to have an activity to structure your time around. Plenty of pubs and bars across the city host a regular weekly pub quiz, if out with friends, or even alone, why not take part in a quiz and put your general knowledge to the test?

Edinburgh Oktoberfest

2025 dates: Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th October (check opening times here)

It’s worth noting the Oktoberfest here is by no means in any way comparable to that of the Oktoberfest in Munich. However, there’s a lot to love about a replica of such a huge-scale event. And, have no fear as the traditional stein pint glasses are still used to serve beer, it just doesn’t quite live up to the same atmosphere as the original festival.

Halloween in Edinburgh (Samhuinn Fire Festival)

As with most places that celebrate this ancient Celtic holiday, Edinburgh has several spooky and costume-themed events to enjoy, from club nights to live music, pub quizzes and festivals.

However, one of the most special events that takes place on Halloween night in Scotland’s capital is the Samhuinn Fire Festival. Celebrating the Celtic New Year in style, every year a group known as the Beltane Fire Society put on an immersive show for all to enjoy.

On the night of the 31st of October Edinburgh’s biggest park, Holyrood Park, comes to life. People dress as otherworldly creatures and reenact ancient rituals with fire, dance, aerobics, drumming and theatre. This is perhaps one of the most unique ways to celebrate the end of October and the coming of winter. Tickets can be purchased on their official website.

Samhuinn Festival Fire Festival 2025: 31st October Holyrood Park (exact time varies)

Wander around Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens

While the botanic gardens indeed thrive and flourish best during the warmer months, seeing how the season’s change affects the gardens can be beautiful, and you may even catch a few blazing orange and yellow trees if you visit early enough in October. And, of course, there are the greenhouses which remain pretty constant all year round. Read our guide on how to visit Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens.

Take a day trip

There are plenty of things to be enjoyed in Edinburgh during October, but if you want to see the best fall foliage possible, then you might consider taking a day trip from the city. Edinburgh is well connected to more remote areas via trains and buses, and the Scottish scenery is beyond breathtaking. Read our guide on the best day trips from Edinburgh.

It’s also worth noting, that October is the perfect time for hillwalking (weather dependant) the air is crisp and fresh, so you won’t overheat and when the light is low it can add an unparalleled atmosphere to your adventures.

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