Carols By Candlelight: in aid of Bethany Christian Trust, supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Scotland. 6.30pm, Central, Central Halls, Tolcross. For more information call 0131 561 8925.
Family Festive Cinema at the Scottish National Gallery: enjoy the popular Disney film Frozen in the comfort of the gallery’s very own cinema. Frozen is a contemporary retelling of the classic Hans Christian Anderson story of The Snow Queen. 2pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Tickets costs £4.10 (adult), £3.85 (child), £10 (family – up to 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) and can be booked via eventbrite.
Rock & Roll Ping Pong with DJ Ding and DJ Dong: a free, monthly Sunday night social. Fine beers, fine company, free-play, silly ping pong games and music from every genre to play along to – plus an optional and strictly amateur tournament (entry £1, winner takes all). 7-11pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Free entry.
Greenman’s Grotto at The Secret Herb Garden: instead of Santa asking a child ‘what do you want for Christmas?’, why not allow a child the chance to hear how to respect and care for something really special – a tree? Enter the enchanted lit glasshouse and follow a fairy path to a hidden natural grotto where the Greenman awaits; once here choose a bare root tree from six indigenous species: alder, rowan. silver birch, oak, scots pine or hawthorn. The Greenman will help you to pot up your tree and to choose a stone or shell to keep with it; there will also be advice on how to nurture your gift. Allow the tree to become part of your life, grow together through the changing seasons, and witness the magic unfold. 10am-4pm, The Secret Herb Garden, 32a Old Pentland Road, EH10 7EA (for more information re location see the Secret Herb Garden’s website or call 07525 069773). £5 per child or adult, no booking required. Also at same times on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December 2014.
Bags of Art: cool and creative fun for ages 4-12 with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.
Santa at Linlithgow! Santa will be in residence at Linlithgow Canal Basin; each child will receive an age-appropriate gift followed by a free boat trip for all the family. Non-alcoholic hot punch, mince pies and cakes will be available to purchase in the cafe – come and enjoy the log fire! 2-4pm, Linlithgow Canal Basin, Manse Road. £5 per child’s gift. For more information call 01506 671215.
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, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Walk. £5 per person: no advance booking required.
Filmhouse Christmas Arts and Crafts: families of all ages are welcome to drop in to this event, themed around the film Arthur Christmas, which will be screened at 11am (see below). 9.30-11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. (Workshop free, film tickets £3.50).
Filmhouse Junior: Arthur Christmas (U). A family film from the team at Aardman: Santa Claus is nearing retirement, with his super-efficient but joyless son Steven ready to take over – but the future of the position of Head of Christmas looks less certain when a child is left without a present, and the only person prepared to put things right is Steven’s hapless brother, Arthur. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £3.50 per person, big or small; book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688.
Organ Music for Advent and Christmas: a recital by Morley Whitehead. Come and go as you please during the recital. 5.30-6.15pm (you are welcome to stay for the service at 6.30pm should you wish to do so), Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road. Free.
Talking Trees: let the RBGE’s volunteer storytellers nurture your imagination with tall tales from all around the world. For ages 5+. 2-2.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Walk. Free: no booking required.
Christmas for Kids at Boda: children’s party with hot chocolate, snacks and a ‘good old Christmas movie’. 1-3pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. Children and adults of all ages welcome!
Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas: St Giles’ Cathedral Choir. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, 2-4 High Street.
Service of Lessons and Carols: 7-8.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.
Carol Service: with choir and congregational carols, followed by refreshments. 6pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.
Nativity Service: 11am, Gorgie Dalry Church, 190 Gorgie Road.
Candlelight service of readings and carols: 6.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.
Service of Lessons and Carols: 6pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: 6pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.
Service of Lessons and Carols: 10am, Cramond Kirk, Cramond Glebe Road.
The Christmas Truce: A Service of Readings and Carols for Christmas: 6.30pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.
