Edinburgh Playhouse
Theater Large historic theatre hosting shows and concerts
Edinburgh Playhouse on Greenside Place is one of Britain’s largest theatres, hosting touring West End musicals, concerts and comedy; visitors come for big productions and its central spot near Princes Street.
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a large theatre in central Edinburgh that opened in 1929 as a super-cinema and now operates as a major live-performance venue. It is one of Scotland’s largest theatres by seating capacity and regularly hosts touring West End and international productions.
The auditorium features a single large stalls and circle layout designed to accommodate large-scale musical and theatrical productions; the venue is used for dramas, musicals, comedy, dance and concerts. Front-of-house facilities are arranged around the main auditorium and the theatre functions as a key stop on UK touring circuits.
Built and opened in 1929, the building was originally designed as a cinema before being converted and adapted for live theatre use in the mid-20th century; it has undergone refurbishments to support modern productions. Management and programming focus on commercial touring shows and large-scale performances.
The Playhouse sits on Greenside Place in central Edinburgh, within walking distance of the city’s main commercial and cultural areas.
- Capacity and programming: Seating capacity is among the largest in Scotland, making it a major receiving house for touring musicals, plays and concerts.
How to Get to Edinburgh Playhouse #
The Playhouse is in Edinburgh city centre, about a 10-15 minute walk north from Waverley Station. Local buses and taxis serve Greenside Place; ample walking routes link the theatre to the Royal Mile and key downtown hotels.
Tips for Visiting Edinburgh Playhouse #
- Buy tickets early for major West End transfers and touring shows; the Playhouse is often part of UK and international tours.
- The theater has limited on-site parking; use city transport and arrive early to collect tickets and find your seats.
Best Time to Visit Edinburgh Playhouse #
Best to book in advance for major shows; festival periods are busiest and most expensive.
Weather & Climate near Edinburgh Playhouse #
Edinburgh Playhouse's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (648 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
