Filmhouse Junior: Young Voices (PG). A selection of films made by young people who participated in the Filmhouse’s Understanding Cinema project at schools and cinemas across Scotland in 2013/14. Most of the films were made by primary school children, and demonstrate ‘wonderful imagination, skill and creativity’. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £3.50 (all ages): book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688.
A Very Merry Swapshop: celebrate the festive season with a Lego Swapshop to close off the year! If you collect Lego minifigures of any kind, come along to the shop and trade out your doubles/extras and unwanted figures with other collectors for the ones you want. Prizes and games too! 3pm, Waterstones Cameron Toll, 6 Lady Road. Call 0131 666 1866 for more information.
Gorgie City Farm Christmas Craft Fair: festive fun and crafts. 11am-4pm, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road.
Christmas at Lauriston: Edinburgh Living History 1910. Be transported back to the Edwardian era and celebrate Christmas with Mr and Mrs Reid, their staff, family and friends on these special costumed interpretation tours. 1pm or 3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road. £5 per adult, £3 per child, £12.50 per family – or with refreshments £6.50/£4.50/£17. Bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone (0131 228 1155, Monday-Saturday) or online.
Art Maker – December: join the Art Maker Club and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm (drop-in), Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.
LGBT: Families Love? A workshop designed to give you a safe place to explore what ‘family’ means to you. How many of our beliefs, expectations, disappointments, happinesses and hurts are caused by a culture that was force-fed to us from childhood? By using creative methods, the facilitator will encourage you to work towards challenging what is positive and negative about how you relate to this word, possibly redefining what your idea of ‘family’ is. Through sharing with other members of the group, find ways to live at peace with your unique experience. Facilitators arre fully trained and experienced psychotherapists/counsellors. 10am-4pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking essential: for more information and to book, email Alison at alison@lgbthealth.org or call 0131 652 3283. Free.
Christmas Crafternoon: a festive afternoon drop-in session at which you can make a Christmas decoration inspired by the Museum’s collections. 12 noon-4pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. Also available at same times on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December 2014.
Natural Partners: Forests and Education. Forests, trees and woodlands, and all aspects of wood as a material, offer fantastic opportunities for learning. Explore a number of hands-on activities, suitable for all ages. 12.30-3.30pm, Real Life Science Studio, Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required. Facilitated by students from Moray House School of Education and staff from Forest Research and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Advent Music and Reflection: Angels From Heaven. Music by David Willcocks, Max Reger and Will Todd, performed by the sopranos and altos of the church choir with Laura Cioffi (flute), directed by Brigitte Harris. There will also be a reflection for the season of Advent. 1.30-2pm, St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.
Mortonhall Crematorium Christmas Memorial Service: led by John E Jones, Civil Celebrant, with a performance by The Edinburgh Telephone Choir. All Books of Remembrance will be on display in the Pentland Chapel. Light refreshments will be provided. 3pm, Mortonhall Crematorium, Howdenhall Road.
Winter Guided Walk: join a garden guide for a leisurely afternoon walk around the Garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the Garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, meet at John Hope Gateway reception, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. £5 per person, no advance booking required.
Christmas Crib Exhibition and Afternoon Tea: come and see a variety of cribs and enjoy afternoon tea and a chat, with a short blessing service at 4.30pm. If you have any exhibits of your own cribs, whether homemade, bought, treasured over the years, strange or wonderful, please contact Rev Sophia Marriage on 0131 629 1219 or sophia.marriage@stmarksportobello.org. Cribs may be brought to the church during the week beginning 1st December. 2-4.30pm, St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Portobello High Street.
Open Mic with Matt Norris: a night of acoustic/unplugged open mic for songwriters, cover artists, poetry/spoken word and anything else you’d like to perform for an audience. From 8pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.
Christian Aid Service of Thanksgiving: a chance to celebrate the work of Christian Aid partners around the world and to thank the supporters who make this possible. The service will be led by the head of Christian Aid Scotland, Kathy Galloway. All welcome: tea and coffee will be served after the service. If you are planning to attend, please email edinburgh@christian-aid.org or call 0131 220 1254 to enable the organisers to plan refreshments. 6.30-7.30pm, St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.
