Tag: free event

 As we take in the fearful effects of the worsening climate crisis and the uncertainty that takes hold of the many challenges we are facing around our planet today, looking ahead to a hopeful future can be a very daunting task.

For this, we find great importance & delight in announcing the return of this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival, a free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities.

A day that brings together numerous climate related organisations, projects and individuals, all looking to help positively raise awareness & work towards creating a brighter future!

The festival will be taking place at the Edinburgh Meadows, Melville Dr EH9 1ND, on Saturday 27th June 2026, from 12 to 7pm.

During the day, attendees can find a variety of free lively performances, fun workshops, art installations & themed talks, as well as wellbeing activities, facepainting and activities aimed towards younger audiences as we welcome everyone of all ages.

The festival will also be welcoming stallholders that cover topics related to circular economy, mitigation, adaptation, climate education, transport, activism, conservation and more. 

 As a special feature to this year’s edition is our theme: Intertwined. Following last year’s theme of Root & Rise, the question remains: what makes a forest truly strong, resilient, and nourished?​

The answer lies beneath our feet, in mycelium. Mycelium is an underground root-like network of entangled threads of fungi. It creates vast connections between plants and trees serving as a shared resource for nutrients, supporting growth as well as being a magnificent communication highway, sending signals and protecting one another.

The 2026 theme embodies this ethos – supporting connection between ourselves, those around us and nature, expanding from local action to global solidarity.

A reminder that fundamentally, we are all nature.

Facing climate challenges alone can feel overwhelming. But when we recognise how deeply intertwined we are, we also recognise our shared strength.

Through collective action we can exchange ideas, re-energise, and cultivate meaningful change. Whether you’re beginning your sustainability journey or deeply rooted in climate work, you can join the festival to build a hopeful and connected community – forming a vibrant, intertwined network. 

With the aim to become more sustainable as an event itself, this year the festival is also promoting different initiatives in hopes to achieve better waste reduction & improve its practices overall.

A few to highlight, is their additional single use packaging fee that will be implemented by all food vendors as well as a free raffle that aims to encourage attendees to bring their own containers, rewarding their commitment by offering a chance to win one of three prizes (which are valued at 60, 50 and 40 pounds).

Franciele Sobierai, the ECF Event Coordinator said: “The climate crisis can be daunting, leaving us feeling powerless. However, when we intertwine, work together, and support one another, we can accomplish far more.

“This is the message the Edinburgh Climate Festival aims to spread — encouraging community-driven climate action and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”

Scott Davidson, Deputy Director for Social Responsibility and Sustainability and Head of Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It’s a privilege to be the Climate Champion Partner for this year’s festival.

“As climate projections become more severe, society is increasingly in a race between opportunity and dire outcomes. The University of Edinburgh is committed to playing its part in this race.

“Our sector-leading regenerative sustainability strategy ensures all students have access to meaningful education on climate and nature, and our research drives action in the circular economy, ecological regeneration and in the transition to renewables, to name just a few.

“Supporting the Festival recognises the importance we place on supporting our local community too, and our role in creating a more sustainable future for Edinburgh and beyond.”

The attractions and activities will include various artwork, free workshops, such as yoga, musical performances from Àirdan Band, SNR, Fava Beats, a circular economy fashion show, an energetic Ceilidh & much more! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and celebrate our collective efforts towards a sustainable future!

You can find the full programme here

Confirm your presence on the event here, with the option to give a donation here. 

The Edinburgh Climate Festival is brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) & Networking Key Services (NKS), through the Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle (C3R) Project.

The festival is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund and is supported by the University of Edinburgh and in partnership with Caledonian Horticulture.