Edinburgh's main concert hall, three major theatres and several cinemas are located in the Tollcross area. The Scottish National Orchestra plays every Friday evening from September to April at the Usher Hall, where musical entertainment can be enjoyed throughout the year. The best artists, bands and orchestras appear with the programmes ranging from pop to the classics.

Round the corner in Grindlay Street is the Royal Lyceum Theatre, built in 1883 and recently refurbished in the ornate gilt and plush style of the early 20th century. Plays are presented both by a resident company and by visiting theatrical companies. The larger King's Theatre in Leven Street provides the venue for high quality plays, opera, ballet and pantomime and in the summer season there is usually a Scottish revue-style programme. Now in its 43rd year, Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre is Scotland's new writing theatre, with a record of excellence since 1963.

In Lothian Road are the Odeon Cinema, which offers a choice of three separate programmes, and the Filmhouse Cinema. These, along with the Cameo Cinema at Home Street, Tollcross, provide a wide choice from "first run" to specialist films.