Category: Old Town

Enjoy exploring Edinburgh’s Open Streets today from 12 noon to 5pm. This is the second Open Streets event and follows the first phase of the programme, which aims to create a people friendly route around the Old Town and includes the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Grassmarket and Cockburn Street. 

Activities and areas to visit:

Activity	Time	Location	Further information
Just Eat bike hire	12pm- 5pm	City Chambers, High Street
Hoola hoop extravaganza	12pm to 2pm	West High Street	This drop-in workshop will have you hoola hooping in seconds. No experience required, hoola hoops provided, everyone welcome.
Edinburgh all-ability bike trials	12pm to 4.30pm	West High Street	A range of adaptive bikes to help people to cycle regardless of age, background or ability.
Spokes stall	12pm to 4pm	West High Street	Promoting safe active travel with a focus on cycling and maps for Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Street games	12pm to 5pm	High Street	Connect 4, chess and badminton.
Play on pedals	12pm to 3pm	Grassmarket	Fun learning for p3 to p5-aged children.
Literary walking tours	12pm to 5pm	John Knox House, Canongate	Explore Edinburgh’s Netherbow area – pick up your self guided tour from the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Arts for all	12pm to 4pm	Canongate	The Cranny are holding a pot luck picnic, inviting local residents in the Canongate to bring some baking or a dish to chat about the new community centre and ideas for gardening and arts projects.
Children’s crafts	12pm to 4pm	Chessel’s Court	Come and make tissue flowers and chalk a butterfly selfie.
Reading havens	12pm to 5pm	Sandeman House Garden; Chessel’s Court Garden; Old Tolbooth Market; Canongate	Free books on offer in a quiet reading haven.
E-bike trials	12pm to 4.30pm	Victoria Street/Grassmarket	Come and try and e-bike with Hart’s Cyclery.
Hip-hop dance performance	1.15pm to 1.35pm	West High Street	Display by youth company House of Jack followed by a chance to join in and learn some hip hop.
Circus skills	2pm to 4pm	Canongate	Free circus skills for all ages, including spinning, twirling and juggling.
Tai Chi Display and Taster Sessions	3pm and 4pm	Parliament Square, High Street	Free to join in – bring something comfortable to wear.
Royal Mile walking tours	2.30pm and 3.30pm	City Chambers, High Street	Meet at the City Chambers in the quadrangle for the free tours, approx. 50 minutes.
Yoga sessions	2.30pm to 3.30pm	Canongate	Come and have a go – free sessions. Bring something comfortable to wear – 4 x 15 minutes.
Swing dancing	3.30pm to 4.30pm	West high Street	Get inspired and join in.

Streets closed on 2 June

The following streets will be closed to cars and other vehicles from 12pm to 5pm, except for blue badge holders and bicycles.

There will be barriers in place for everyone’s safety. Events staff will manage access to the area for emergency vehicles and blue badge holders.

Additional bike parking will be available across the area.

• Grassmarket (pedestrian zone between West Bow and King’s Stables Road)
• West Bow
• Victoria Street
• Lawnmarket
• High Street
• St Giles’ Street
• Cockburn Street
• Niddry Street
• Blackfriars Street (between High Street and New Skinner’s Close)
• Canongate (between St Mary/Jeffrey Street and the west side of Reid’s Close) Cranston Street
• New Street
• Old Tolbooth Wynd

For more information, email the Open Streets team on openstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk.