Stockfest, the annual community festival of Stockbridge, is returning from Saturday September 12-Sunday September 20, celebrating everything that makes the well-heeled suburb one of Edinburgh’s most pleasant neighbourhoods. Here are some of the programme highlights.
Stockdish
Various venues, until Fri Sep 18
Stockbridge is blessed with more than its fair share of great bars, restaurants and cafes. Stockdish aims to celebrate that foodie-centric culture, with eight local eateries competing to create Stockfest’s best signature dish. Head along to get a taste of what’s cooking at The Antiquary, Bon Vivant Stockbridge, Hamilton’s, Purslane, the Raeburn Hotel, The Scran & Scallie, Rollo and the St Vincent Bar, then turn up at the Stockfest Family Luau (see below) for the final prize-giving.
Stockfest Super Saturday
Various venues, Sat Sep 12, all day
Perhaps the most nakedly commercial of the Stockfest events, Super Saturday is a single-day sales extravaganza for local businesses. While it’s easy to be cynical about such endeavours, it’s worth remembering that (a) the festival’s profitability allows it to keep returning year after year, and (b) Stockbridge has some really nice shops, so why not take advantage of the fact many of them are offering discounts? There’ll be music, activities and special attractions throughout the day as well, to take that capitalist edge off.
Stockflea Vintage & Craft Market
Jubilee Gardens, Sat Sep 12, 11am-4pm
Yep, it’s just a more focused version of the mercantile activities taking place elsewhere on Super Saturday, but who doesn’t love a vintage market? Go on, have a rummage.
Inverleith Festival of Walking and Cycling
Inverleith Park, Sun Sep 13, 3-6pm
A family-friendly afternoon dedicated to helping people get around in a healthier fashion. Ride a bike, take a guided walk, or join in a game of football or crazy golf.
Stockfest Family Luau
Lifecare Centre, Sat Sep 19, 6-9pm
There’s something indescribably alluring and recklessly optimistic about throwing a luau in Scotland, isn’t there? At the very least, it gives you a chance to wear your loudest Hawaiian shirt without shame, while having a few drinks and listing to a selection of local bands curated by VoxBox Music.
StockDog
Inverleith Park, Sun Sep 20, 1-4pm
Maybe we’re biased (we do have a dog on staff, after all), but this sounds like the best event of the lot. An afternoon of doggy socialising and activities, not to mention awards for – get this – Best Trick, Best Smile, Biggest Diva and Waggiest Tail. Waggiest Tail! How could you not go?
Stockfest, various venues, Saturday September 12-Sunday September 20. Find out more, including a full programme of walks, workshops and taster sessions, at the Stockfest website.
See more things to do on Time Out Edinburgh.