While some of us might still be kind of hibernating due to the brisk weather, there are still plenty of activities and events to get immersed in this March, which will be worth leaving our couches from underneath the blankets for. With International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day just around the corner, the month is also the perfect opportunity to celebrate the women in our lives. So, we’ve gathered all the wonderful things to do in Edinburgh this March.
1. Check out the newly-opened street food market on Leith Street
A new street food quarter has opened next to Omni Centre and we finally have a central outdoor street food place that’s open seven days a week. Edinburgh Street Food has brought a global eating experience to central Edinburgh on February 25. The brand new venue features ten vendors and three bars, with an ample 900 square meters of deliciousness and good vibes, as well as outdoor seating available. The ESF line up includes Junk, Bundits, Chix, What Le Duck, Antojitos, The Peruvian, House Of Tapas, Homies, Fabbrica Pasta and SoftCore, with room for additional rotating guest traders outside.
2. Marvel at this captivating candlelight concert dedicated to the Oscar-winning film scores
Unwind this March with an alluring Oscar-winning scores candlelight concert, featuring popular music from this year’s Oscar-winning movies, expertly performed by a string quartet. This candlelight concert is coming to take over Edinburgh on March 15 to the historic South Bridge venue, The Caves. Illuminated by the glimmer of countless candles, a talented string quartet will perform the winning films’ most enchanting pieces – and tickets are available now.
3. Give this late-night witchy market a visit
You can let your curiosity flow at Midnight Lunar Market which could answer questions one never knew they asked. A spirituality-inspired alternative late market is coming to The Voodoo Rooms on March 20, bringing alternative traders of all kinds into one place. What is more, the market aims to fill in the space for the current lack of late-night events and markets around the city, support local alternative small businesses and give people who work outside of the 9-5 pattern an opportunity to also visit the unique event. The Voodoo Rooms is also a late-night multi-room bar, so after you’re done shopping, the experience doesn’t have to end there: the bar will still be open.
4. Watch this Edinburgh-based two-part play about love and lockdown
Emerging Edinburgh theatre company, Production Lines, is introducing an innovative production at the end of this month, frisson, that comes in two parts but can be watched separately. The first story is told online, live on Zoom, while the second one takes place in person at the Leith Arches bar. frisson kicks off on Tuesday, February 28 with frisson (online), a digital performance presented on Zoom until Thursday, March 2. The second part will take place at Leith Arches from Tuesday, March 7 to Thursday, March 9. The production is intriguingly described as a coming out story in two parts, a love story as well as a love letter to friends and a love song to your best mates. It’s also about lockdown, queer dating dating and an identity crisis.
5. Sample the delicious pancakes from these Edinburgh spots
It’s safe to say Edinburgh is not short on brunch spots for us to try. Have a flippin’ feast on March 1 by enjoying a stack or two of pancakes from some of these Edinburgh cafés and restaurants serving everything from American-style pancakes to proper French galettes. So, get yourself to these delicious spots around Edinburgh for a much-needed fix of pancake goodness.
6. Set off on a cheese crawl around Edinburgh
This tempting fromage-filled walking tour is just about the best reason to explore Edinburgh we’ve yet found. It’s a whole different kind of ‘cultured’, with a selection of cheeses from local cheesemongers from around Stockbridge up for extensive sampling. Oh, and you’ll be finishing off the tour with a glass of bubbly, too. The Edinburgh Cheese Crawl takes place every Saturday at 12pm and 3pm, and starts at Saint Stephen’s Comely Bank Church in Stockbridge, ending at Dundas Street.
7. Watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show musical on its 50th anniversary
2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of the legendary smash hit musical The Rocky Horror Show, as it, and it will be playing at the Edinburgh Playhouse between March 13 and 18. Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years with this special anniversary production. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, and features timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and, of course, the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp.
8. Try a Sunday roast bagel
The Broughton, a Michelin gastropub, and Bross Bagels, the Edinburgh based bagel emporium, are launching a limited edition Sunday Roast – but not as you know it. The Broughton, known for its famous Sunday Roast, which was featured in The Sunday Times Top 30 Spots for Sunday Lunch, will launch The Holey Roast from Wednesday, March 8. What is more, you can also try a lil’ preview of the Sunday roast in a one-off stall at the Stockbridge market on Sunday, March 5 from 10am, where The Broughton and Bross Bagels teams will serve The Holey Bagel alongside artisanal goods from local producers.
9. Try some of the UK’s best cocktails at this hidden bar
Panda And Sons took the sixth spot on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list this year, unsurprisingly beating the likes of Speak In The Code in Manchester and London’s Three Sheets. The quirky speakeasy bar appears to be a barber shop at first glance, but once you walk through a door that is also a bookcase, you’re transported into a cosy wee place with imaginative concoctions and the excitable allure of the prohibited bar concept itself. Next time you’re there, opt for the Paolo Appletini with Grey Goose, clarified apple, Avallen Calvados, umeshu and lemon.
10. Celebrate International Women’s Day with a crazier golf boozy brunch
We love a good brunch and we love crazier golf. So, Boom Battle Bar has combined the two and is delivering themed brunches every month, and in March, it’s The Big BOOM Diva Brunch. Running on every Saturday at either 12pm or 2pm, Boom Battle Bar will become an adventurous boozy brunch spot for those who like to breaks things up in-between all the eating and drinking. What is even better, guests will receive five bevvies each (we’re talking cocktails, fizz, draft beer & cider to choose from) and a street food feast. If that didn’t suck you in, the brunch also includes a round of their epic Crazier Golf course, and who knows, your putting game might get even better after a few drinks!
11. Check out Edinburgh International Improv Fest
If you’re after different things to do this March, Edinburgh International Improv Fest will see the best of improv from all around the world from March 2 until March 5 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. The exciting festival is bringing four days of shows, workshops and jams celebrating the art of improv and bringing joy to theatre lovers. The festival will then culminate with an All-Star Armando show, featuring festival headliners and a guest monologist come together for a special show to send the festival off.
12. Play board games, listen to live music and live DJs at this quirky Leith bar
Many a nights were spent at The Mousetrap playing board games, listening to the live music and DJs. The bar is named after the iconic board game, Mouse Trap, and is consistent with its board game and music theme throughout. On top of the kind humans that work there, guests can enjoy a wide variety of music from classic rock and old-school hip-hop, to Latin vibes (every Thursday) as well as open mic nights on Sundays. As expected, there are plenty of board games around and some arcade games at the back of the bar. This is a true jewel of a spot located on Leith Walk, and is worth supporting the local business that is the gaming and music bar in Edinburgh.