Halloween season has arrived, yet it has been surprisingly sunny recently. We know that won’t last long, however, and the gloomy days will start to creep in sooner rather than later. While it’s inevitably becoming darker, the possibilities are still endless when it comes to the array of things to do in Edinburgh this October. From Leith to New Town, from Pentlands to Newington, Edinburgh is a place full of wondrous activities, so here’s our take on what to do this October.
Get into the Halloween spirit at the Midnight Lunar Marker
Edinburgh is a tremendously popular place for all magic and spirituality lovers. Midnight Lunar Market is no exception, with its Samhain late-night market coming back to Le Monde on October 25 & 26 from 5pm until midnight, for a very special spooky edition. The market aims to fill in the space for the current lack of late-night events and markets around the city, support local small businesses and give people who work shifts an opportunity to also visit the unique event.
Guests can get a tarot reading, fill up your crystal collection, acquire new art, a new tarot deck or purchase a myriad of herbal tea blends. For example, in past markets, multiple local businesses have been there to satisfy all your herbal tea, spell kit and oil needs, offering witchcraft advice for anyone who needs it.
As part of Fever’s Candlelight Concert series, music and opera fans, in particular, will be able to enjoy a special concert at St Giles’ Cathedral, which will see A Night at The Opera by candlelight featuring Nessun Dorma within the mysterious candlelit setting. Guests can marvel at a stunning programme of Operatic masterpieces by Mozart, Bizet, and so much more at the unique concert, but this time, as you’ve never heard them before. You can book your tickets here.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with some steins at Brewhemia
From September 15, Scotland’s only beer palace, Brewhemia, will have a myriad of beers in store until October 21. Guests can expect beers such as Innis & Gunn Oktoberfresh, Paulaner, Hacker, Spaten, Löwenbräu, and Hofbrau on tap, plus plenty more. Bavarian-inspired dishes, pretzels and the usual live band action are also going to be a given throughout. Just book a table and turn up for some Oktoberfest shenanigans.
Try out this fantastic Korean street food spot in town
Bibimbap Edinburgh opened in the former Pakora Bar location at 96 Hanover Street a couple of years ago. The menu consists of a variety of well-known Korean dishes that will be prepared with love right in front of guests, with an expected hit of taste and flavour. The treats in question are Kimchi, deopbap, Corn Dogs, Yum Yum fried chicken, soup, and noodles, in addition to the famous Bibimbap dish. The Glasgow restaurant also has some mean cocktails, such as the BBB Mai Tai, which comes with Brugal rum, almond syrup, triple sec and pineapple juice – what a combo!
The UK’s biggest cocktail festival, Edinburgh Cocktail Week, is coming back to Edinburgh for another year, bringing 120 signature cocktails, along with its complete 2026 programme that includes 20 pop-up bars in the Cocktail Village, headline music acts and a schedule jam-packed with special events. While it is unlikely anyone is going to have 10 cocktails a day to try them all, it’s still a fun challenge to try as many different cocktails as you can. The 10-day festival takes place across the city from Friday, October 3 until Sunday, October 12, celebrating Edinburgh’s thriving bar scene.
Not all restaurants on the Michelin Guide are expensive, so we listed some of the cheapest spots featured on the prestigious list. Thankfully, Edinburgh has five Michelin Star restaurants, two restaurants with the Bib Gourmand distinction, and plenty of restaurants that have been put on the guide and recognised for their brilliance. Check out our list of the most affordable restaurants in Edinburgh on the Michelin Guide!
Pumpkin season means Halloween, and if you’re into pumpkin picking, this one is for you. Our top pick for a pumpkin patch is Balgone Estate in North Berwick, where adults can have fun with pumpkins while there’s plenty to do for the little ones as well. They invite us to enjoy Halloween to its fullest, to invoke a little bit of mystery within us and inspire us to believe in magic more. As the largest patch in Scotland, the farm has a whopping 21 varieties of pumpkins within the space of eight acres. You can not only find the tastiest pumpkin for all your soup and pie needs but also decorate your home for an autumnal feel. Pumpkins are charged by their weight and if you’re after some hearty pumpkin recipes, Balgone Estate has you covered too.
Take a walk around the Pentlands near Balerno
While Flotterstone and Swanston continue to be great options for hiking around the Pentlands, trails around Balerno can sometimes be overlooked for those who don’t lie in the area. Balerno boasts many stunning reservoirs and circular trails, from very short to longer. For those who don’t drive, take the number 10 bus until the last stop and walk towards Torduff Reservoir following Torduff road. The trail leads hikers around the reservoir and makes for a shot, easy walk. Another easy circular trail is around the Harlaw Reservoir. The walk takes around one hour and a half and is 5.5km: a flat, but stunning walk perfect for dog owners. And if you fancy a longer day, just combine the two walks!
The one and only Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) is coming back to Edinburgh this October with the brand new theme Bird and Beast, bringing the art of telling stories to one place. With over 240 events overall and 145 free events, the festival is bringing back the stories forgotten, with the hope of helping ease the difficult year. SISF will be opening its doors on October 21 and will last until Halloween, October 31. The events will transport festival-goers to a myriad of worlds, cultures and countries, showcasing the true power of storytelling.
