What to do this weekend: 26-27 November

ALL WEEKEND

The Influence Machine

George Square Gardens will be hosting Tony Oursler's Influence Machine between 23-26 November 7-9pm. Expect haunting atmosphere, Victorian light shows and camera obscura. The event is free and unticketed, brought to you by the Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the Talbot Rice Gallery and Artangel. Find the Facebook event here.

St Andrew's Day

St Andrew's Day is actually on 30th November, but luckily Historic Scotland is having their annual free entry days this Saturday and Sunday. Note that you need to register for this online and the ticket giveaway closes on Friday 25th November. You can only book tickets for one Historic Scotland property at once, but you are allowed to complete several bookings. We are very excited as we have booked all three Scottish Borders abbeys: Jedburgh, Dryburgh and Melrose - but there are plenty of other places to choose from. For the Palace of Holyroodhouse you need to book separately here and entry is only free on Sunday.

26TH NOVEMBER, SATURDAY

Beaverhall Open Studios

Beaverhall Studios are located in the former Duncan's Chocolate Factory with hieroglyphics painted on the outside wall as a mural - how random in Scotland! Now it's your chance to look inside as resident artists will open their doors to the public. Sign up for the Facebook event and on Eventbrite.

27TH NOVEMBER, SUNDAY

Christmas Fairs

The season of Christmas Fairs has finally started:

• Jupiter Artland is hosting their very first Christmas Fair this Sunday with Santa's Grotto and stalls for presents as well as food and drink.
• Hopetoun House will have their annual Christmas Fair on all weekend.
• Edinburgh Food Social is organising an Indoor Food & Craft Market at the Biscuit Factory.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 19-20 November

ALL WEEKEND

William Kentridge and Vivienne Koorland

This is the opening weekend of the William Kentridge and Vivienne Koorland exhibition titled Conversations in letters and lines at the Fruitmarket Gallery. There are several events scheduled including an Artist Talk and Exhibition Preview on Friday and a Saturday Tour at 2pm. My art historian cousin is proper excited about Kentridge's animations!

Feast End Food Festival

Although this event is not in the 'burgh, we are always up for a seafood-inspired day trip to Glasgow. This time Fish Plaice has an Oyster Pop-up at BAaD (Barras Art and Design).

Festival of Chocolate

Do you prefer chocolate than fish? Then you should head to Perthshire to Scotland's Outdoor Festival of Chocolate. There will be all things chocolate with tastings and workshops. Yum!

19TH NOVEMBER, SATURDAY

Project wine pop-up

Bruntsfield's Project Coffee is transforming into a cool wine bar for one night thanks to Winetubemap. Wines by the glass and you can pre-order cheese and charcuterie boards from Delicatessen 181 via this link.

Comet & Blitzen

Meanwhile at the other side of town in Stockbridge, a new festive pop-up Comet & Blitzen is opening its doors for the very first time at 15 NW Circus Place. Expect festive feasts & drinks. They are open until 15 January.

20TH NOVEMBER, SUNDAY

Christmas Light Night

So it all begins! The Dome has been lit up since October and now the whole of the city is turning on the Christmas lights. You can also see the Street of Light lighting up George Street for the very first time. If you have not got your tickets yet to see the show during the festive period, you better get booking - tickets are free, but going fast!

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 12-13 November

ALL WEEKEND

Styling the Nation

To mark the opening of the new Art, Design and Fashion galleries, the National Museum of Scotland has planned a bunch of cool events - you can meet your maker, learn about home style, there will be a vintage photo booth and fashion illustration workshops.

12TH NOVEMBER, SATURDAY

Tuck Tuck Pop-up at Vino

Your favourite Stockbridge Pantry is having a pop up at the Waverley Arches. They will be serving tacos complemented with wine by the Wino Vines Bar between 5-8pm. Find the Facebook event here.

Scottish Rugby Autumn Test

Are you backing blue? The Scottish rugby team plays Australia in the first autumn test of the year. Even if you're not a rugby convert this might be a useful info - if you leave close to Murrayfield Stadium and have on-street parking, you might not want to risk losing your parking spot! Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Art at Talbot Rice

The Talbot Rice Gallery is located at the Old College of the University of Edinburgh and the beautiful Georgian gallery space alone is worth the visit. While there, why not check out their recently opened three temporary exhibitions.

13TH NOVEMBER, SUNDAY

Remembrance Sunday

Also known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday commemorates the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war. The services parade will start at 10.30am from the Castle Esplanade. The 2 minutes of observance is at 11am.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 5-6 November

ALL WEEKEND

The Goldfinch

The long awaited Goldfinch (1654) by Carel Fabritius has finally arrived to the Scottish National Gallery from The Netherlands and it's free to visit. It is considered to be Fabricius' masterpiece and one of the few paintings surviving after a tragic explosion which killed the young artist.

5TH NOVEMBER, SATURDAY

Custom Open Studios Closing

This Saturday is your last chance to visit Custom Open Studios and their multi-media art exhibition with photography, painting and sculpture. Find their Facebook event here. Once in Leith, why not check out Leith Market's Vegan Quarter next door.

Calton Hill Illuminated

This month's Apple Walk takes you for an evening walk at Calton Hill where you can learn techniques for capturing great pictures with your iPhone. You can also try out lenses, tripods and other accessories designed for iPhone. Fingers crossed for a pretty sunset!

Bonfire Night

You might have heard your neighbours setting up fireworks every night the past week in the back garden (we did), but the actual night is on this Saturday. The annual Meadowbank fireworks display starts from 7.30pm, but there will be other displays near Edinburgh: North Berwick and Haddington at 7.30pm, Dunfermline and Linlithgow at 7pm.

6TH NOVEMBER, SUNDAY

Last of Botanic Lights

This Sunday night is your last chance to visit the Botanic Lights this year. We visited the light show with fellow Edinburgh Instagrammers in late October and thoroughly enjoyed it. My favourite features were the Chinese Hillside, the 'Explore' projection on Inverleith House and the charming lanterns along the path.

Have a nice weekend!