extended opening of five-star exhibition, Everlyn Nicodemus
There is something for everyone to discover at the National Galleries of Scotland over the upcoming Easter and May bank holidays.
Visitors will have the chance to enjoy a programme of family events and experience Everlyn Nicodemus on Monday 26 May, with an extra day added to allow bank holiday revellers to enjoy the exhibition.
Spanning the gallery’s entire ground floor of Modern One, Everlyn Nicodemus is open now and free for everyone to visit. Experience Everlyn’s colourful, defiant and searingly honest artworks, with over 80 drawings, collages, paintings and textiles from over 40 years of her career, from 1980 through to the present day.
Families can also get involved with some joyful Easter artmaking inspired by Everlyn Nicodemus. Over the Easter holidays, from Monday 14 to Friday 18 April 2025 between 2–4pm, families can drop into Art Space 1 at Modern One to play with patterns, create shapes, mix colours and more.
Or for those looking for autism-friendly activities this Easter, a drop in event will be held on Tuesday 15 April 2025, 10.30am–12pm. Meet other families, explore the galleries and take part in creative activities with an experienced team of artists.
Autism-friendly sessions at the National Galleries of Scotland are for children and young people on the autism spectrum – with their families – who may benefit from smaller group sizes and tailored activities to suit individual needs.
For those looking to dive deeper into the world of Everlyn Nicodemus, join the panel discussion on Friday 23 May, 3-4pm for free at the National or via the YouTube livestream.
To mark the end of her first ever retrospective, Everlyn Nicodemus will be in conversation with writer JJ Fadaka and artist and curator Khadea Santi. Together they will chat about the lasting legacy of Everlyn’s amazing exhibition. Plus, livestream ticketholders can watch back anytime.
There is even more to discover when visiting the Moderns, with a completely free offering across two galleries and two sculpture parks. Weave your way through two exciting buildings featuring leading artists’ works which define the Modern era.
At Modern One, delve into displays, shows and installations from the leading artists of today, both inside and outdoors. As well as Everlyn Nicodemus, discover a celebratory display to mark Bruce McLean’s 80th birthday. Bruce McLean: I Want My Crown traces the Glasgow-born artist’s humorous, provocative and engaging six-decade long inquiry into sculpture.
Through works made across a range of media including photography, performance, painting, printmaking, film, and ceramics, this one-room display invites you to challenge your thinking about sculpture and expand your ideas of what art can be.
Get ready for captivating, light-hearted and all-encompassing experiences at Modern One. On arrival you will be in awe of the striking land feature Landform in front of the gallery, designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks. Explore the grounds and discover further sculptural works by other major artists including Pablo Picasso, Barbara Hepworth, Jackson Pollock and Tracey Emin.
Once you’ve explored Modern One why not head across the road to Modern Two to further explore the grounds. Plus, you can celebrate the centenary of the remarkable Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) taking over the ground floor of Modern Two.
Or why not head to one of the National Galleries of Scotland’s other sites. At the National, drop into the Family Art Hub, open until 20 April. Designed to help you and your family explore the Scottish galleries together.
The space offers a place to create and share your art, read the books on offer and play. You can watch short films about different art techniques or listen to what children and artists think about art and what it is for. Spark your senses and make shadows and shapes in the play area.
At the Portrait visit Connections,a relaxed space for visitors to draw, read and chat about some of the ways in which we make connections through art. Bringing together communities, partner organisations, and artists, the displays highlight how we use art to find shared interests, discover social histories, explore issues and identities, and create new objects to tell new stories.
Current displays include portraits of Govanhill, a project exploring different issues that impact young people across Scotland today. Using photography as a creative tool, the voices and views of young people from Big Noise Govanhill are represented.
HMRC is encouraging working parents to open a Tax-Free Childcare account to save on their childcare costs for the Easter holidays.
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK Government funded top-up scheme for working parents and can be used to pay for approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 years old if the child has a disability. Parents can save up to £2,000 per year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled. The funds can be used to pay for a before- or after-school clubs, a childminder or an activity club during the holidays.
For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months to help pay their childcare costs.
Latest figures show 34,440 families in Scotland saved thousands on their childcare in December 2024, an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to the previous year.
In December, parents across the UK received a total of £49.7 million in government cash to save on their childcare bills.
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if:
they have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday
the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
do not receive tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
Please find below the latest National Museums Scotland listings:
Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania Until 14 Apr 2024 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic.
Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Until 06 May 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Ticketed
In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behavior, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
Game On 29 Jun – 03 Nov 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Tickets on sale spring 2024
Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games.
Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and art form.
From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.
Cold War Scotland 13 Jul 2024 – 26 Jan 2025 10:00 – 17:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Edinburgh Science Festival 30 Mar – 14 Apr 10:00 – 17:00, with some events after 17:00 Book via Edinburgh Science’s website
Join us as we host two weeks of science-fuelled exploration at the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events.
Audio-Described Access Evening: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 16 Apr 17:30–19:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Join us after hours for an audio-described tour of key exhibits in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The tour will last around one hour with the option to explore the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is particularly aimed at those who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired. Recommended age is 8+.
Sensory Sunday: Exploring Ancient Egypt 05 May 14:00 Level 4, Studio 2, Learning Centre Free, booking required
Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families.
Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating.
You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session.
These sessions are suitable for children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities.
The content is aimed at ages 5-10 but is not set – we welcome all families who think they might enjoy these sessions.
Magic Carpet Minis Block 1 (08,15 and 22 May) 10:30 & 14:00 on Wednesdays £15.00 per child for block of 3 £13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.
Magic Carpet Toddlers Block 1 (13, 20 & 27 May) 10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45 £15.00 per child for block of 3 £13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Toddlers introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the natural world, science and technology, world cultures and Scottish history through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and short activities.
Wellbeing Wanders 13-17 May 11:30-12:00 Meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, sign up on the day
Join us on a guided walk around the museum for Wellbeing Week. Explore the collections and take part in mini mindful sessions at each stop along the way with these short, free guided walks.
Curiosity Club: Ancient Egypt 18 May 10:30-12:00 Level 4, Learning Centre £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Capturing some of the museum’s most exciting collections, this is a chance for kids to explore the museum through games, activities and gallery visits.
Wellbeing Week: Mindful Art at the Museum 19 May 11:30-12:30 Meet at the Tower Entrance, Level 1 £10, £8 Members and Concession
Join artist Kayleigh McCallum and mindfulness practitioner Charlene Duncan for mindful sketching in our galleries. This small group session in our galleries will start with a short introduction to mindfulness, followed by guided sketching and then some final mindfulness exercises. Suitable for all levels, including complete beginners. All materials will be provided. All ages welcome, but recommended age 8+.
Slow Down Sunday for Families 19 May 10:30–11:15 & 13:00–13:45 Event Space, Level 2 Free, booking required
Join author and mindfulness teacher Natasha Iregbu as she invites families to practice mindfulness in a fun and enjoyable way. Natasha and her excitable butterfly Amaya will take you on a journey of storytelling and mindfulness as they guide you and your children to use your senses and practice being in the moment. The session will include a book reading, mindfulness activities, yoga movement and a craft activity.
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival: Family Encounters Day 25 May 10:00 – 16:30 Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, drop-in Some activities may require sign-up on the day
At our Festival Family Encounters Day, enjoy exciting new performances and interactive experiences from local artists, pop-up theatre and dance shows, walk-about character actors and plenty of hands-on family activities.
The full event programme will be published in early May.
National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open daily 10:00 – 16:00
Flying into the Future 1 Apr – 5 Apr 11:00 – 15:00 Concorde Hangar Free with museum admission
From airships to autogyros and electric to hydrogen-powered aircraft, discover how we might fly in the future with fun, family activities.
Activities include a family technical challenge where you will use craft materials to build something that flies, a staff-led tour of the Civil Aviation Hangar and a trail exploring the 50+ aircraft on display in the museum.
Tractor Tots Until May 2024 10:15 & 13:30 Various dates Ticketed
Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play.
Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside.
A host of brand-new animated adventures and all-time family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the school holidays.
For the first time in almost a decade, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master Po bounces back onto this big screen with a hilarious new chapter, in Kung Fu Panda 4 on 28 March.
Facing his most fearsome foe yet in the many forms of the powerful sorceress The Chameleon, Po (voiced by the iconic Jack Black) must use his courageous Dragon Warrior martial arts skills to defend the Valley of Peace. However, he’s not alone, as he must team up with the crafty fox thief Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina) in this butt-kicking mission to ensure the world remains peaceful and at balance.
This Easter break will also see some familiar heroes take up the call when Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings paranormal pranks and ghostly grins to Vue from 22 March. Returning to New York City, the Spengler Family from Ghostbusters: Afterlife must unite with the original Ghostbusters to take on an evil force that threatens the world with a second Ice Age.
With a cast that includes newer names such as Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard and original ‘busters Bill Murray and Dan Akyroyd, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire looks to provide eerie thrills for the entire family this half term.
Sweeter than a spoonful of sugar, both Mary Poppins and its recent sequel Mary Poppins Returns are heading back to the big screen at Vue this Easter, marking 60 years since the release of the iconic first film.
Making its debut on the big screen after exclusively releasing on streaming platforms, Disney’s recent adventure Luca will be playing at Vue from the 5 April. Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this animated adventure tells a coming-of-age story about one young boy’s unforgettable summer filled with gelato, scooters and his new best friend – who turns out to be a sea monster from a secret world below the ocean.
Vue will also be bringing back some of the biggest family films from the past year, perfect for Easter viewing including the chocolatey charm of Wonka from 29 March and Disney’s Wish from 5 April as part of the Vue Mini Mornings series, shown every day across Half Term at 10am.
Robert Lea, Head of Screen Content at Vue Entertainment, said ‘We’ve got a great selection of new films and big screen entertainment on show this Easter providing the perfect way to enjoy quality time with the family over the school break.
‘With film screenings from just £4.99 online at selected venues the big screen experience at Vue is the perfect treat during the Easter holidays.
‘Even better, our Vue Mini Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films at just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, switch off and immerse themselves in great stories.”
Free and cut-price things to do over the Easter holidays
Which? is advising families facing cost of living pressures on how they can save money over the Easter holidays with these handy hacks for free, or cut-price, activities.
1. Enjoy a meal out with ‘kids eat free’ offers
When dining out as a family, it is worth checking if nearby restaurants offer discounts for children. Many restaurants and cafes run ‘kids eat free’ offers during the holidays. Which? found several popular chains offered discounts at certain times, including Yo! Sushi, The Real Greek and Morrisons Cafe.
2. Visit a theme park for less
Check the prices at attractions in advance, to save. For example, Which? found an adult day pass bought on the day at Alton Towers costs £62, but only £34 when bought in advance – a 45% saving.
Shoppers can also save money on days out at theme parks and attractions up and down the country when purchasing groceries at the supermarket.
Which? found that some Carex handwashes have vouchers for half-price entry for Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Sea Life Centres and Sanctuaries valid until May 31 2022.
Meanwhile, selected Kellogg’s cereal packs and snacks offer ‘adults go free’ vouchers for Merlin attractions valid until June 2022.
Tesco Clubcard holders can convert points into Tesco Reward Partners Vouchers, which can be used for as much as three times the saving at theme parks, wildlife parks and more.
3. Learn something new at a free gallery or museum
Many UK national galleries and museums are free to enter and are an easy way to entertain the family for a day out. Which? members highly rated: St. Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff, Beamish: The Living Museum of the North in County Durham, National Railway Museum in York, Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Just remember they may need visitors to book a free ticket before arrival.
4. Burn off the Easter chocolate with some sport
There are many free sporting activities available up and down the country during the holidays. It’s worth checking local council websites for opportunities, some offer free swimming lessons for children, for example.
Alternatively, Parkruns are free weekly events, held every weekend in hundreds of locations around the UK. There are 5k events on Saturday mornings, and junior runs for children on Sundays.
Tennis for Free also offers free tennis sessions for all ages in public parks around the country.
5. Watch the latest movies at a discount
Some cinema chains offer discounts for family films at certain times, usually in the morning. Odeon’s ‘Odeon Kids’, Picturehouse’s ‘Kid’s Club’, and Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ all offer discounts for both adults and children.
For example, Vue ‘Mini Morning’ tickets cost £2.49 or £2.99 if you buy online (£3.49/£3.99 at the venue).
Film fans can also get cinema discounts with dining cards Gourmet Society and Tastecard. Both offer up to 40% off some cinema chains and currently offer 90-day free trials.
Anyone who buys a policy through the price comparison website Compare the Market will get 2 for 1 cinema tickets on a Tuesday or Wednesday for a year – those who may have bought a policy recently should check if this offer is available to them. It is also worth checking if your phone provider offers cinema discounts.
O2 customers have access to O2 Priority and can often claim free Odeon tickets to use on Sundays and Mondays. Three Mobile customers can claim £3 adult cinema tickets for Cineworld or Picturehouse using the Three+rewards app and Vodafone customers can get two adult tickets for £7 at most Vue cinemas to use each week, using the My Vodafone app.
6. Catch a theatre show for less
Although usually an expensive outing, it is possible to bag cheaper theatre tickets. Local theatres often host touring West End productions for a fraction of the cost of London shows.
Which? found tickets for The Book of Mormon in Leeds Grand Theatre starting at £15, while prices begin at £40 in London on the same date.
Most theatres offer cheaper tickets for under 30s. For example, the National Theatre offers £5 tickets if you’re under 18, and £10 tickets if you’re under 26.
Every Monday at noon, a number of tickets for Disney shows (The Lion King/Frozen) are available for £25 through DisneyTickets and some shows, including Hamilton, run daily lotteries to enter, with winners able to purchase tickets for between £10-£35 for a performance that week.
Apps such as TodayTix can save visitors up to 66% on certain shows. Which? found tickets for Roald Dahl’s Matilda on Thursday 7 April for £25.
Often, seats at the back of the theatre cost less, but it is worth checking if the view is obstructed. Seatplan allows visitors to check out the view before purchasing tickets.
7. Take the train to save on days out
Some train companies offer cheap train travel for children travelling with an adult. For example, Southeastern, Chiltern Railways, London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway will allow up to four children (aged 5-15) to travel for £1 on a single or return journey when joined by an adult in off-peak times.
Which? found an adult and two children could go from London to Margate and back on Southeastern services for under £30, with the children’s tickets costing £2. If two adults are travelling, they could save money with a railcard – the two together card costs £30 upfront but also saves a third on rail fares for a year.
National Rail also offers 2 for 1 tickets at a range of attractions nationwide including Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and London Zoo when purchased with a train ticket.
8. Take advantage of local libraries
As well as borrowing physical books for free, most libraries allow users to borrow e-books and audiobooks. Some can also grant access to digital magazines and newspapers. Check local library offers via on the local council website and sign up for free.
9. Explore the great outdoors
Take advantage of the free parks up and down the country. Check out the Which? guide on the best national parks in the UK. Alternatively, plan a walk using Which?’s guide to the best UK walks.
Those in search of adventure could try geocaching tracking co-ordinates on a smartphone app to find hidden boxes known as ‘caches’. The National Trust has 10 places to try.
10. Seek out free local events
Many local councils offer free events during school holidays, so it is worth checking their websites. Search the local council’s name followed by ‘half-term activities’ to see what’s going on in that area. It is always worth checking out the local council’s website.
For example, Which? saw that Manchester City Council will be running springtime craft sessions and Haringey Council in London will offer free Easter workshops for teens aged 11-16 in creative writing, drama and film.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Home Products and Services Editor, said: “With the rising cost of living taking its toll on household finances, millions of families are looking to cut down on their spending. However, there are plenty of fun, cheap and free activities you can do during the Easter holidays that don’t need to break the bank.
“Theme parks offer discounted entry if you book in advance, and there are plenty of deals on offer ahead of the Easter holidays. Many cinemas and theatres also offer discounts for children. It is worth checking if your local council is running free events or workshops, while parks and museums are free to enjoy at your leisure.”
Local charities in the Lothians helped Aldi donate 12,088 meals to people in need over the Easter school holidays.
The supermarket paired up its stores with local charities, community groups and foodbanks to donate surplus food, prioritising donations to those focused on feeding children.
Around 36 tonnes of food were donated throughout Scotland, with more than 61,000 meals, including over 47,500 meals for children, donated to causes supporting families and children in need.
The donation is part of Aldi’s commitment to donate 10 million meals across the country in 2021, in partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.
So far this year, Aldi stores across the UK have already donated more than two million meals to good causes.
Mary Dunn, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK,said: “We’re proud to support good causes in the Lothians, helping them to provide meals to those in need over the Easter period.
“At a time when more people are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity due to Covid-19, we are committed to doing what we can to donate more meals in 2021 than ever before.”
Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added:“The school holidays are often a busy time for the nation’s charities and food banks. I’m sure Aldi’s donation will have been a massive help for so many of these vital organisations.”
People across Scotland have helped greatly in tackling coronavirus (COVID-19) by observing restrictions, most importantly to stay at home.
Ahead of the Easter weekend, the Scottish Government’s National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has asked people to continue to help, while looking after their physical and mental health.
People should only travel for essential reasons such as buying groceries, healthcare, caring responsibilities or essential work.
And he said people should find ways to stay mentally and physically active by walking, running or cycling outdoors once a day for up to an hour close to home or by exercising indoors.
Professor Leitch said: “The best ways of slowing down the spread of coronavirus is staying at home, social distancing and hand washing so I must thank everyone for all they have been doing so far to keep safe and comply with these stringent measures.
“The social distancing guidance has been tough and has seen us all having to adapt to new ways of keeping in touch with friends and family, which is why now more than every it is important for people to exercise and keep mentally and physically active.
“But we need to use common sense. Please exercise at home and, if you are going out for a daily walk, run or cycle, stay at least two metres away from people you don’t live with.
“Do not be tempted to go for a drive for leisure. This is about going for a short walk locally, a run or a short bike ride, not spending time on your favourite sport or hobby.
“If you travel further afield, there is a risk you might come into contact with other people, whether you plan to or not, so please keep this to an absolute minimum. Only use your car to get somewhere if it is unavoidable and please remember that even in these circumstances journeys must be kept short.”
Douglas Cairns, Transport Scotland Operator Manager, said: “We know this is not how people would want to be spending their Easter break, but it’s vital that we all play our part in these difficult times by following the guidance and keeping any travel to essential journeys only.
“Transport operators have cut back their services to focus on providing support to key workers. The only other reasons you should be travelling are to pick up essential supplies, for healthcare or to carry out caring responsibilities.
“You should only be using your car if really need to. The advice is clear so please don’t go for leisure drives even if the weather is good. We must stay at home to help protect the NHS, our families and save lives.”
Stay at home this Easter to protect the NHS and save lives is also the latest message to the public from the UK government in a new campaign to fight coronavirus.
The campaign has been developed to meet the additional pressures of the long Easter weekend where many people typically spend time with family or friends. New organic and paid-for content will be rolled out across social media, print and outside the home.
The new campaign reinforces the importance of staying at home over Easter, and only leaving your house to buy essentials, to do one form of exercise a day, to travel into work, but only where you cannot work from home, and for any medical or social care need. If you need to leave your home for these reasons, you should be minimising time spent outside of the house and ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside of your household. You should not be visiting friends or family during the long weekend.
A Government spokesperson said: “We understand that people will want to spend time with their friends and families this Easter, and we recognise that we are asking the public to make sacrifices in the fight against this disease.
“Everyone has a role to play in this, and the best way we can protect our loved ones is by staying away this Easter.
“We are at a crucial moment in preventing further transmission of coronavirus, and so it is vital that we continue following the government’s guidance to stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.”
