What's on in libraries

Library events

Our calendar page lists details of one-off in-person and online adult events hosted by libraries. 

For details of regular events such as book groups and children's activities at a specific library visit the library's page or follow them on Facebook.

In the past we've hosted authors such as Val McDermid, Maggie O'Farrell and Ian Rankin. Watch our videos on these events on our YouTube channel.

March 2024

Scottish history behind Game of Thrones, an author talk with David Weinczok 

Come and meet historian, writer and presenter, David Weinczok, who will be giving a talk based on his book, "The history behind Game of Thrones: the north remembers".

Discover historic sites to visit in and around Edinburgh to experience Westeros in real life, learn about subjects as wide-ranging as prehistoric rock art to the Battle of Bannockburn and their Game of Throne equivalents, and explore how fantasy so often inspires our fascination with real history.

Monday 18 March at 5.30pm

Stockbridge Library
11 Hamilton Place
EH3 5BA

No booking required.

Pomegranates - World Trad Dance Sessions
American Country Line

World Trad Dance Sessions come to Stockbridge Library with another free beginner and family-friendly, drop-in dance class. Accompanied by country music, you will learn the origins of the genre of American Country Line while going through several of the dances. A low impact session except for the occasional jump!

Saturday 23 March from 12 noon to 1pm

Stockbridge Library
11 Hamilton Place
EH3 5BA

Book your place.

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with The Gal Trio. This talented trio have a passion for playing many different genres of music from folk to classics.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 23 March at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

Meet Lin Anderson at Corstorphine Library

Come and hear from the Queen of Crime Fiction, Lin Anderson, as she gives a reading and answers questions from the audience. 

Tuesday 26 March from 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Corstorphine Library
12 Kirk Loan
Corstorphine
EH12 7HD

Book your free ticket online.

10 Scotland Street, an author talk with Leslie Hills

10 Scotland Street is the story of an Edinburgh home and its cast of booksellers, silk merchants, sailors, preachers, politicians, cholera and coincidence and its widespread connections over two centuries across the globe.

Tuesday 26 March at 6.30pm

George Washington Browne Room
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

Book your free ticket online.

April 2024

Choose Life. Choose Leith. Trainspotting on location, an author talk with Tim Bell

Come along to hear author Tim Bell discussing his work Choose Life. Choose Leith. The book first arrived in 2018, is now back with a second edition published this month and copies will be available for purchase on the evening from Luath Press. 

"This hugely informative book...is a hard-hitting social history brimming with local knowledge."  
Alastair Mabbott, Sunday Herald Life Magazine

Please note, Tim will be reading some passages from Irvine Welsh's original novel Trainspotting during the talk so the audience should expect to hear some foul language. Please consider this before making a booking to attend. 

Wednesday 3 April at 6.30pm

George Washington Browne Room
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

Book your free ticket online.

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with Vinodh Jayakrishnan and his company of musicians who will present a programme of South Indian classical music.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 6 April 2024 at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with Dan Abrahams. Dan will perform his joyful solo show, an honest, intimate vocal backed by his acoustic or electric guitar.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 20 April at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

May 2024

Lunchtime concert with Tayus. Alasdair and Mike play a live set of their signature melodic, ambient music.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 4 May at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with Django’s Swing. Come and enjoy the exuberant gypsy jazz sounds of this guitar duo, playing the music of Django Reinhardt.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 18 May at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

June 2024

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with The Accidentals, an Edinburgh-based, amateur guitar ensemble.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 1 June at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.

Music on the Mezzanine

Lunchtime concert with The Edinburgh Recorder Ensemble. Join us and enjoy the opportunity to hear the full family of recorders from the teeny tiny Sopranino to the Giant Contra Bass, demonstrating its full repertoire of historical and contempory music.
Tea and coffee will be available.

Saturday 15 June at 1pm

Mezzanine
Central Library
George IV Bridge
EH1 1EG

No booking required.