What's On in Edinburgh
Monday 02 November 2026 · This weekend · City guide
Edinburgh eases into November with a Monday that punches well above its weight — and if you think the start of the week means nothing is happening, think again. From the soaring stone heights of the Royal Mile to a snug pub basement crackling with laughter, the city is quietly setting the stage for a genuinely brilliant evening out. Pick your mood and go.
Highlights
Royal Mile International Piano Series -The Beethoven Sonatas — There are few more spine-tingling combinations in this city than a world-class pianist and the medieval grandeur of St Giles Cathedral, and this evening delivers exactly that. The Royal Mile International Piano Series turns its attention to Beethoven's sonatas — music that can feel like an intimate conversation one moment and a thunderstorm the next — making for an experience that is as emotionally powerful as the setting is awe-inspiring. Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets run from £15 to £40, so whether you are a lifelong devotee or a curious first-timer, there is a seat here with your name on it.
The Comedy Cellar Edinburgh Live Stand-Up Comedy — If your Monday needs a shot of something warmer and considerably louder, head down to The Canons Gait for The Comedy Cellar Edinburgh — a proper, no-frills live stand-up night in one of the Royal Mile's most characterful pubs. Expect a rotating lineup of sharp, hungry comedians doing what they do best in a room that is small enough to feel like the jokes are aimed directly at you, which, occasionally, they might be. Kicks off at 8:00pm and at just £12 it is one of the best-value laughs you will find in the city this week.