CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

May Day Parade 2024: Demand Global Change - Part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2024

Artists, performers and culture workers of all kinds are called to join Tradfest musicians and mummers on the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day procession.

May Day Parade 2024: Demand Global Change - Part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2024

About May Day Parade 2024: Demand Global Change - Part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2024

Gather at 11.30am at Johnston Terrace by Edinburgh Castle for a 12pm departure down the High Street to The Pleasance, where there will be a rally, music and stalls. Greenery and instruments welcome!

Sponsored Links

RSPB
Kevin Quantum
Napier Uni
Fayre Play
MNB

Other Events at Various Venues or Edinburgh Tradfest

Ross Ainslie & the Sanctuary Band

2nd May 2025

Ross Ainslie gets together with collaborators The Sanctuary Band to perform tracks from the brand-new album, Pool at The Queens Hall Edinburgh on Friday 2nd May!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: MAIK

2nd May 2025

Jamie Cook and Kirsty Law have joined forces to bring some of their most beloved songs together as brand new folk duo MAIK. Catch them at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Mini Mummers Parade Prep

3rd May 2025

Join the Family Beltane crew for a morning of mask decoration, crafting and face painting ahead of the May Day Parade.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: An Introduction to Gaelic Storytelling

3rd May 2025

Join Gaelic storyteller Martin MacIntyre for an introductory session exploring the history, importance and joy in Gaelic storytelling culture in Scotland.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay

3rd May 2025

Don't miss the unmissable annual #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay featuring a concert with an outstanding line-up at the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 3rd May!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Family Beltane

3rd May 2025

This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: May Day Parade: Action for Justice

3rd May 2025
Edinburgh Old Town

Artists, performers and culture workers of all kinds are called to join Tradfest musicians and mummers on the Edinburgh and Lothians May Day procession.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Divergence

3rd May 2025

Divergence is so named because the band seeks to employ non-traditional instruments in traditionally-inspired music and you can hear them at the Traverse Theatre on 3rd May.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Leveret

3rd May 2025

Leveret, a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians, return to The Traverse at part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Easy Sundays: Family Ceilidh

4th May 2025

Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 4th May!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Dowally + Philippe Boudot: Ici et Là-Bas

4th May 2025

Don't miss cinematic-folk duo Dowally and innovative French drummer Philippe Boudot as they celebrate the release of their album Ici et Là-Bas, recorded last year in Edinburgh!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Martyn Bennett: The Music Lives On

4th May 2025

Join us for this special hour of chat (and the odd tune) in the company of two people who have, in their own ways, made sure that Martyn Bennett’s music lives on.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Hartwin Trio

4th May 2025

Discover a dazzling play of sounds during this concert by the Hartwin Trio as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Lauren MacColl: Half A Lifetime

4th May 2025

For this very special Edinburgh Tradfest gig Lauren MacColl plays tunes from her most recent album Haar, along with a delve into the back catalogue.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Teho.

5th May 2025

Teho., a Finnish power-fiddle duo that explodes musical boundaries while having roots deeply in the tradition, play the Traverse Theatre on 5th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: For The Love of Trees

5th May 2025

This year’s special commission at Edinburgh Tradfest is by the legendary harpist, singer and composer Mary Macmaster!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Hip Hop Story Stop! Old Edinburgh Street Games & Stories

5th May 2025

Join Claire McNicol and Fergus McNicol for a lively, family-friendly session of traditional street games, playful rhymes, toe-tapping songs, and captivating tales from Old Edinburgh!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Scotland’s Ancient Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight

5th May 2025

In his new book Scotland’s Sacred Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottish people.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Morag Brown & Lewis Powell-Reid

6th May 2025

Morag Brown and Lewis Powell-Reid play a rich repertoire of instrumental music from Scottish traditions along with many others.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: The Hot Seats

6th May 2025

The Hot Seats are returning to Scotland for the first time since the pandemic and they play Edinburgh Tradfest for the first time!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Cafe Ceilidh

6th May 2025

Celebrate Edinburgh's Tradfest with a free afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories with friends from the Scots Music Group in the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Stories and Songs in the North-East Bothy Tradition

6th May 2025

Join ballad singer Allan Taylor, fiddler Karin Paterson and storytellers Phyll McBain and Jackie Ross for a ceilidh of land, laughter and a hearty dollop of Doric!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: The Travelling Janes

7th May 2025

Led by celebrated Scottish-American jazz vocalist Ali Affleck, The Traveling Janes is an all-women international ensemble. Catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 7th May!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Beth Malcolm

7th May 2025

Glasgow-based folk sensation Beth Malcolm plays the Traverse Theatre on Wednesday 7th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Let Them Be Heard: Sangstream Scots Folk Choir

7th May 2025

Sangstream, the a cappella Scots folk choir now in its 28th year, led by the renowned Corrina Hewat, is excited to perform their rich choice of songs as part of Tradfest.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Ellie Beaton

8th May 2025

Enjoy an hour in the company of Ellie Beaton, this year’s BBC Scotland Young Trad Winner, at the Traverse Theatre on 8th May!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Seckou Keita

8th May 2025

Enjoy uplifting and contemplative music from Seckou Keita, a renowned Kora virtuoso who stands as a luminary amongst African traditional musicians!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Hearth Fire Sessions

8th May 2025

Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell

9th May 2025

Though they grew up half a world apart, Catherine Maclellan & Lucy Farrell connect through the quiet brilliance of their songcraft and the warm clarity of their delivery.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Kathleen Macinnes

9th May 2025

Enjoy a super special gig from Kathleen Macinnes, one of Scotland’s national treasures, as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Bog Standard

9th May 2025

Bog Standard is the gripping true story of a tip off which led a rookie journalist to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: The Legend of the Anonymous Poet (Or a 20th Century Barbarian Account)

9th May 2025

This special live performance from filmmaker/storytellers Nadir Bouhmouch and Soumeya Ait Ahmed combines film, lecture and storytelling!

READ MORE

The Poet and the Moon: Lorca’s Flamenco Soul

10th May 2025

TuFlamenco presents a tribute to Federico García Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet, through Flamenco’s rhythm, dance, and poetry at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 10th May.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Claire Hastings (Relaxed Performance)

10th May 2025

In a new departure for ETF25 we present a very special one hour gig designed to appeal to all ages, from new babies upwards.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach

10th May 2025

Their sound of Rhona Stevens & Joseph Peach is best described as cinematic alt-folk, fusing elements of folk, classical, jazz, indie, electronic and alternative music. It’s unbelievably beautiful.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Finlay MacDonald Band

10th May 2025

The Finlay Macdonald Band has been coming very much to the fore over the past couple of years and you can catch them at the Traverse Theatre on 10th May as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Storytelling for Musicians

10th May 2025

Join musician and storyteller David Francis and learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling on this workshop as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Transforming Auld Reekie - Walking Tour

10th May 2025

Meeting at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, enjoy a walking tour around the sights and sounds of Edinburgh’s Old Town with artist/curator Claudia Zeiske on 10th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Sunshine Stories: Sensory Stories and Play

10th May 2025

Join storyteller Ailie Finlay from My Kind of Book on a fun-packed, sensory adventure for May time as we head off through the green grass and squelchy bogs of Scotland!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Rebellious Truth 25: Joy Dunlop + Fraser Fifield

11th May 2025

The talk by Joy Dunlop will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Pelkkä Poutanen

11th May 2025

Don't miss Pelkkä Poutanen, a hypnotic and unique artist known for her distinctive voice and masterful throat-singing techniques, at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: ETF Spotlight

11th May 2025

Each year we present a show that will throw a light on some of the most exciting new performers in folk and traditional music today.

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Remembering Douglas

11th May 2025

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a celebration of independent film in Scotland through the lens of celebrated filmmaker Douglas Eadie!

READ MORE

Edinburgh Tradfest: Siobhan Miller Band

12th May 2025

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the Siobhan Miller band in full flight at the Traverse Theatre as part of Tradfest!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

St Mary's Music School
Escape The Past
Wonder & Co
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Dino’s Science Club

Dino’s Science Club

Selected dates between 25th January 2025 - 10th May 2025

At Dynamic Earth's Dino's Science Club, your child will make new discoveries each week in these hour-long interactive science sessions for 6-12 year olds!

READ MORE
Family Studio Saturdays

Family Studio Saturdays

Selected dates between 22nd February 2025 - 21st June 2025

Studio Saturdays, at the The Palace of Holyroodhouse, are monthly hands-on artistic workshops for families who are interested in learning new ways to express their creativity.

READ MORE
Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

READ MORE
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Humbie Dean

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Humbie Dean

Selected dates between 19th March 2025 - 27th August 2025
Various Locations East Lothian

Come and visit Humbie Dean, a two-acre ornamental and woodland garden sandwiched between two burns at 600 feet with interest throughout a long season!

READ MORE
Disco Days Edinburgh

Disco Days Edinburgh

Selected dates between 29th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

Scotland's beloved over 30s afternoon clubbing event Disco Days is back at Club Tropicana Edinburgh in 2025!

READ MORE
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: A Blackbird Sings

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: A Blackbird Sings

Selected dates between 12th April 2025 - 6th September 2025
Longniddry

This long garden in a corner site of Glassel Park Estate is planted mostly by plant type with water features and an unheated conservatory contains cacti and insectivorous plants.

READ MORE
Day Fever Edinburgh

Day Fever Edinburgh

Selected dates between 12th April 2025 - 28th June 2025

Day Fever is bringing the party back to Edinburgh! They guarantee it'll be an afternoon of no holds barred party times for over the 30's!

READ MORE
Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Longwood

Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Longwood

Selected dates between 16th April 2025 - 11th June 2025
Various Locations East Lothian

Visit Longwood, an extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet, undergoing renewal. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden.

READ MORE
Take The High Road

Take The High Road

Selected dates between 19th April 2025 - 21st June 2025

Follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on one of their favourite routes through Holyrood Park.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

RSPB
Kevin Quantum
Napier Uni
Fayre Play
MNB
St Mary's Music School
Escape The Past
Wonder & Co
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Nick Heyward
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, Nick Heyward, returns to Scotland this autumn for an intimate acoustic tour, and plays The Voodoo Rooms on Monday 3rd November!
Rhinestone Rodeo
Secure your tickets, dust off your hats and get ready for a BIG ole Country music celebration when Rhinestone Rodeo returns to Edinburgh on Saturday 16th August!
Welly
Welly will support their new album with a UK tour in 2025. Catch them live at Edinburgh's Cabaret Voltaire on Friday 3rd October!
The Real People
Don't miss The Real People, pioneers of the 90's Brit pop movement, when they play Sneaky Pete's Edinburgh on Saturday 18th October!
Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular spectacular as Moulin Rouge! The Musical begins its World Tour at Edinburgh Playhouse from April 2025!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall