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 a street food market on Leith Street
Now that the street food quarter has been open next to Omni Centre for a year, Edinburghers have been thoroughly enjoying the central outdoor street food place that’s open seven days a week. Edinburgh Street Food is a global street food experience venue featuring ten vendors and three bars, with an ample 900 square meters of deliciousness and good vibes, as well as outdoor seating available. The ESF lineup 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. Celebrate International Women’s Day with a candlelight concert
Unwind this March with an alluring Vivaldi Four Seasons By Candlelight concert, featuring the ageless masterpieces from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, expertly performed by a string quartet. This candlelight concert is coming to take over Edinburgh on March 8 at the historic St Mary’s Cathedral. Illuminated by the glimmer of countless candles, a talented string quartet will perform Vivaldi’s 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 18, 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. Check out this whisky snug with over 200 whiskeys to choose from
What if we told you there is a secret place in Edinburgh city centre that not only stocks around 200 whiskies but is also located within a five-star glass-front hotel that used to be a church? The Whisky Snug is located at The Glasshouse Hotel, which used to be a chapel, and is a quiet oasis from the hustle and bustle of city life. Plus, those who are not into whisky can choose from a selection of cocktails and gins, making it a destination everyone can appreciate.
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 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. Go see the mischievous Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Guests can witness the mischievous musical Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Edinburgh Playhouse between February 27 and March 2. The hilarious production is a physical comedy combining witty humour with technical difficulties, directed by Adam Meggido. Tickets can be found here!
8. Enjoy one of the best Sunday roasts in Edinburgh
The Broughton, a gastropub that is also listed on the Michelin Guide, is known for its famous Sunday Roast, also featured in The Sunday Times Top 30 Spots for Sunday Lunch. The beloved Sunday tradition is served with Roast Dry Aged Beef, Yorkshire pudding, duck fat roast potatoes, fine beans, glazed carrot and gravy, with an option for Roast Saddleback Porchetta.
9. Try some of the UK’s best cocktails at this hidden bar
Panda And Sons won plenty of awards over the years and took the sixth spot on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list last year. 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 every Saturday at either 12pm or 2pm, Boom Battle Bar will become an adventurous boozy brunch spot for those who like to break 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 February 29 until March 3 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 coming together for a special show to send the festival off.
12. Play board games and listen to live music and DJ sets at this quirky Leith bar
Many a night was spent at The Dog House playing board games and listening to live music and DJs. The Dog House is officially one of the quirkiest bars in Edinburgh, 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 with their in-house band. 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 which is the games and music bar in Edinburgh.