The List

St Giles' Cathedral

Dominating the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. Its distinctive crown steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline on the Royal Mile. It is home to some of the finest stained glass windows in Scotland, dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, and hosts regular choral and organ performances. Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, this church has witnessed executions, riots and celebrations. The cathedral features a gift shop and a café. It is free to enter the church and guided rooftop tours are available during certain hours for a fee.

What's On @ St Giles' Cathedral

Chopin by Candlelight

Chopin by Candlelight

25 Jul 2025 - 26 Sept 2025

Treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional piano recital in the beautiful candlelit setting of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. Renowned British concert pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith, will perform an outstanding selection of Chopin's piano masterpieces in a concert to remember! Programme (All Chopin) Ballade No. 1 Scherzo no 1 Berceuse Harp Study Fantasy Impromptu Heroic Polonaise Nocturne in E flat major In 2016 Warren Mailley-Smith became the first British pianist to perform Chopin's complete works for solo piano from memory in a series of 11 recitals at St John's Smith Square. Hailed by the critics as an "epic achievement", Mailley-Smith will repeat the series at several venues in 2023-4. He has given acclaimed solo recitals at The Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and has performed for the British Royal Family on numerous occasions. One of the busiest concert pianists of his generation and gave over 100 solo performances in the last year.
Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight

Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight

6 Jun 2025 - 18 Dec 2025

Enjoy an exceptional musical evening with a performance of Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons along with Rachmaninov's ever-popular Second Piano Concerto. Featuring the outstanding musicians of The Piccadilly Sinfonietta along with renowned concert pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith and a leading violin soloist to be confirmed.
Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight

Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight

20 Jun 2025 - 21 Dec 2025

Featuring renowned concert pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith, the programme will include Beethoven's masterpiece The Moonlight Sonata along with other outstanding piano works.
Edinburgh Royal Mile Chamber Music Series
St Giles Cathedral plays host to the inaugural Edinburgh Royal Mile Chamber Music Series. This exciting and prestigious new programme of concerts will feature an exceptional selection of chamber music throughout 2024, covering classical and romantic masterpieces from Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Haydn and more Featuring a lineup of outstanding UK and international artists, these concerts will be an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy some of the world's greatest chamber music in the stunning candlelit venue of St Giles Cathedral. With it's newly installed Steinway Grand Piano, this will be a musical experience to remember! St Giles is situated in the heart of the Royal Mile with many bars and restaurants nearby to complete your evening. Featuring Warren Mailley-Smith (piano) Ben Norris (violin) Andrew Huggan (cello) Programme Beethoven - Piano Trio Op.1 No.3 in C minor Mendelssohn - Piano Trio No.1 in D minor
Beethoven Piano Concertos by Candlelight
The exceptional musicians of The Piccadilly Sinfonietta and renowned guest soloists perform a selection of Beethoven and Mozart's finest works, including Beethoven's ever-popular first piano concerto. Set in the beautiful candlelit location of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, it's a hugely appealing programme designed to help you celebrate the weekend in style! '_Stunning_' - Classic FM Featuring Piccadilly Sinfonietta Pianist and Clarinet Soloist to be announced soon! Programme Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Mozart - Clarinet concerto in A major Beethoven - Romance in F major Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major Since its formation in 2017, the Piccadilly Sinfonietta has become a regular feature on the UK concert scene, giving up to 200 performances a year in some of the country’s most beautiful and prestigious venues. The ensemble comprises some of the most prodigious musical talent and performs exclusively with leading virtuoso soloists. The group performs under the artistic direction of its founder, concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith and focuses on the virtuoso concerto repertoire of the baroque, classical and early romantic periods.
London Concertante: A Night at the Opera by Candlelight
If you're looking for a romantic candlelit experience, want to enjoy some classical music greats then this is the concert for you! London Concertante present a sensational evening at the opera with an array of the finest opera arias and overtures, including works from Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, and Mozart – some of the best from Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Tosca, The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Cosi fan Tutti and so much more. Presented by Candlelight with some of the country’s greatest opera singers in the stunning setting, this truly is an evening not to be missed!
1-Hour Historical Walking Tour Discovering Edinburgh's Old Town
Explore Edinburgh's iconic landmarks including St Giles Cathedral and Greyfriar's Kirkyard. Dive into colorful tales of heroes, villains, and Scotland's vibrant history with a costumed guide. Experience an award-winning tour, celebrated for Excellence in Service in Scotland in 2024. 1hr Historical Walking Tour. Wheelchair users will find this experience fully accessible, including transportation options and all areas and surfaces. Infants and small children can comfortably join in prams or strollers. Service animals are welcome to accompany their owners. Nearby public transportation options make it easy to get here. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries. This activity is suitable for individuals of all physical fitness levels. Experience available in English Experience supplied by: Walk The Old Town All ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded, exchanged, or otherwise modified. Click here to check out the T&Cs.
The Goldberg Variations by Candlelight
Allow thoughts of your busy week to melt away and treat yourself to an evening of relaxing and invigorating classical music! Enjoy an exceptional musical soirée with a complete performance of J.S Bach's masterpiece, The Goldberg Variations, by renowened harpsichordist david Wright. This will be a candlelit concert to remember in the beautiful setting of St Mary Le Strand. Get your tickets now for Bach Goldberg Variations by Candlelight in London! Featuring David Wright (Harpsichord) Programme The Goldberg Variations - J.S.Bach
Royal Mile Chamber Music Series

Royal Mile Chamber Music Series

16 Jun 2025 - 14 Jul 2025

St Giles Cathedral plays host to the inaugural Edinburgh Royal Mile Chamber Music Series. This exciting and prestigious new programme of concerts will feature an exceptional selection of chamber music throughout 2024, covering classical and romantic masterpieces from Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Haydn and more Featuring a lineup of outstanding UK and international artists, these concerts will be an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy some of the world's greatest chamber music in the stunning candlelit venue of St Giles Cathedral. With it's newly installed Steinway Grand Piano, this will be a musical experience to remember! St Giles is situated in the heart of the Royal Mile with many bars and restaurants nearby to complete your evening. Featuring Susan Parkes (soprano) Sarah Williamson (clarinet) Warren Mailley-Smith (piano) Programme Spohr - 6 Deutsche lieder opus 103 Schubert - Shepherd on a Rock D965 Brahms - 2 Lieder Opus 91 Mozart - Parto Parto from la clemenza di Tito
Vivaldi's Four Seasons & Lark Ascending by Candlelight
London Concertante brings Vivaldi’s masterpiece to life in a wonderful concert featuring gems of baroque music. This concert features Vivaldi’s Four Seasons; a jewel of the composer’s extraordinary ability to illustrate moods as diverse and contrary as violent winds or birdsong, fox hunts and drunken stumbles! We combine this with one of the most beautiful pieces for the violin, Vaughan-Williams’ transcendental "The Lark Ascending", which takes you on a journey to the heights of poetic nature’s landscapes. A stunning concert celebrating the virtuosity of the violin in all its forms.
Radiohead by Candlelight

Radiohead by Candlelight

8 Jun 2025 - 8 Nov 2025

Step into an evening of candlelit excitement with London Concertante! Listen to some of the best tracks from Radiohead albums performed by this fabulous ensemble, the evening is sure to be incredible! UK-based chamber orchestra, London Concertante, will be performing in the majestic surroundings of some of the country's most gorgeous cathedrals. With swooping arches and incredible acoustics, this is Radiohead as you've never experienced it before. This evening promises excitement, escapism, and grandeur. So, get dressed for the occasion, and get ready to hear Radiohead with a twist, a performance like no other.
Music from the Movies by Candlelight
Join world-renowned London Concertante as they bring us on a stunning red carpet ride of iconic movie soundtracks. From aliens and spies to dinosaurs and war heroes – this evening promises to be an exciting exploration of the power of film music, packed with all of your family favourites made famous by Hollywood! This exceptional program will include dazzling excerpts from George Lucas’ epic space opera ‘Star Wars’, Steven Spielberg’s iconic ‘Jurassic Park’, harrowing ‘Schindler’s List’ and fantastical ‘ET’, along with other cinematic masterpieces such as ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Skyfall’ and ‘The Godfather’, to name a few! Generations of us have been inspired by movie soundtracks for decades, so this concert is guaranteed fun for the whole family!
Edinburgh Royal Mile International Piano Series
St Giles Cathedral plays host to the inaugural Edinburgh Royal Mile International Piano Series. This exciting and prestigious new concert series will feature all 32 of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas throughout 2024. Featuring exceptional performances from leading UK and international pianists, these concerts will be an unrivalled opportunity to enjoy some of the world's greatest piano repertoire, as curated by our guest performers. Set in the stunning candlelit venue of St Giles Cathedral, with it's newly installed Steinway Grand Piano, this will be a musical experience to remember! St Giles is situated in the heart of the Royal Mile with many bars and restaurants nearby to complete your evening.
Celebrity Organ Recital – 2
Music
Classical

Celebrity Organ Recital – 2

13 Aug 2025 - 13 Aug 2025

Jan Liebermann Internationally renowned for his stunning performances entirely from memory, Jan Liebermann brings his incredible talent to the world-famous Rieger organ of St Giles' Cathedral, presenting a thrilling programme of Bach, Dupré, Duruflé and Wagner. None
Celebrity Organ Recital – 1
Music
Classical

Celebrity Organ Recital – 1

6 Aug 2025 - 6 Aug 2025

Jack Oades Jack Oades, Master of the Music at St Giles' Cathedral, performs a stellar programme of audience favourites on the stunning Rieger organ. Repertoire to include Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in D, Messiaen's evocative Apparition de l'Église Éternelle, and an arrangement of the deeply moving Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. None
This Old Cello Box
Music
Folk

This Old Cello Box

9 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025

William Jack Australian cellist and songwriter William Jack redefines the possibilities of the cello. Experience his unique multi-style cello performance live in the heart of Edinburgh. The programme includes iconic songs (The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Oasis and more) dismantled and reimagined for solo cello. Intertwined with original compositions from William's acclaimed album collection, This Old Cello Box. There's something for everyone, from virtuosic bluegrass to non-Western sound worlds. William incorporates his jazz guitar background into an unconventional style of cello playing, delivering cellopickin' grooves and catchy hooks, alongside intimate melodies. 2025 Adelaide Fringe Best Music Award winner. None
NYCOS presents Illuminare and Spirituals
Music
Classical
National Youth Choir of Scotland One of America’s leading young composers, Elaine Hagenberg, brings us Illuminare – a beautiful and heartwarming work of sweeping melodies and rich harmonies. Performed by one of the finest choirs in the country, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the programme is paired with Michael Tippett’s powerful and moving settings of Spirituals from his oratorio A Child Of Our Time. 'They are, beyond debate, the best choir in Scotland' (Herald). Conductor: Christopher Bell. Organ and piano: Michael Bawtree. None Age category: 12+
NYCOS presents the Music of Eric Whitacre
Music
Classical
National Youth Choir of Scotland For over thirty years, the music of Eric Whitacre has captivated audiences and choirs with its distinctive style and emotional depth. The NYCOS Chamber Choir present a selection of his most celebrated works – including Lux Aurumque, A Boy and a Girl, and Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine – alongside recent compositions from the last few years. Be prepared to be exhilarated, charmed and moved by an hour of some of the world’s most beautiful choral music. Conductor: Christopher Bell. Organ and piano: Michael Bawtree. None Age category: 12+
Resonance
Music

Resonance

14 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2025

Maria Rud, David Heath and Jack Oades 'A mesmerising visual and aural feast' (Scotsman). Resonance brings together live music, live art and architecture. Music by JS Bach and DC Heath, performed by Jack Oades (organ) and David Heath (flute). Live painting by Maria Rud, projected onto the cathedral interior. A journey conveyed through music and art. A show which is impossible to explain in words. An unforgettable experience. Presented by St Giles’ Cathedral. None
Chopin by Candlelight at Christmas

Chopin by Candlelight at Christmas

5 Dec 2025 - 5 Dec 2025

Celebrate the magic of the festive season with an unforgettable evening of Chopin by Candlelight, performed by acclaimed concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smithin the magnificentSt Giles Cathedrala jewel of Edinburghs historic Royal Mile. This exceptional recital features a handpicked selection ofFrdric Chopins most beloved piano works, performed on a stunning brand new Steinway Model B Grand piano. Let the music transport you in the glow of candlelight, beneath soaring Gothic arches and the intricate stained glass of one of Scotlands most iconic and atmospheric buildings. Founded in the 12th century, St Giles Cathedral is steeped in history and traditiona place where music, architecture, and spirituality meet in perfect harmony. As winter wraps the city in its festive charm, step inside from the chill and experience the warmth and intimacy of Chopins music, brought to life by one of the UKs most distinguished pianists. Known for his poetic touch, emotional depth, and effortless technique, Warren Mailley-Smith delivers a performance full of grace and brilliance. Featuring Warren Mailley-Smith piano Programme Chopin - Ballade No. 1 Chopin - Berceuse Chopin - Raindrop Prelude Chopin - Nocturne in B flat minor Chopin - Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor Chopin - 'Military' Polonaise in A major Chopin - Waltz in E minor (Op posthumous) Chopin - Waltz in E flat major Warren Mailley-Smithrose to international prominence in 2015, becoming the first British pianist to perform Chopins complete solo piano works from memory. With more than 200 performances annually, he has appeared on world-renowned stages including Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall, and performed for the British Royal Family. His playing, praised for its warmth and charisma, makes him the perfect artist to bring Chopins timeless music to the heart of the holiday season. Surrounded by twinkling lights, Edinburghs festive streets, and a rich array of nearby restaurants and bars, this candlelit concert promises to be a heartwarming and uplifting addition to your Christmas celebrations.
Highland Park UMC Chancel Choir

Highland Park UMC Chancel Choir

24 Jun 2025 - 29 Jun 2025

Join the Highland Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for a mesmerizing evening concert of Americana focussed choral music, as part of the music series "St Giles' At Six". Included in the programme are highlights such as You Do Not Walk Alone (Hagenberg), Zion's Walls (Copland), The Road Not Taken (R. Thompson), Shenandoah (Wilberg), Shall We Gather at the River (Murphy) and Loch Lomond (Quick). Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, is one of the largest United Methodist congregations in the world, with over 14,000 members. For 109 years, the Chancel Choir has upheld a tradition of excellence in church music, playing a vital role in the church’s worship and musical life. The 125-member choir leads weekly sanctuary worship services and performs in concerts throughout the year. The Chancel Choir has been featured at regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, multiple United Methodist Church conferences, and two Texas gubernatorial Inaugurations. The ensemble has also toured across Western Europe, performing in France, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

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