The Raymond Briggs Trilogy: The Snowman 29 mins (U), Father Christmas 26 mins (U) and The Bear (U) 26 mins. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688.
Teatime Acoustic: Graeme Mearns. A hat, a suit and a guitar, with a swing jazz acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson – ‘familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined’. 6.30-8.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.
Aki & Dave Guitar Duo: take a break from wrapping presents and get festive! Catch some super music from two of The Jazz Bar’s regularly featured, top-class guitarists, Aka Remally and Dave Wallace. Is this a duo or a duel? Come in and find out – and will Santa drop in for a pint later? 9pm-late, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.
Edinburgh Libraries will all close at 5pm today, re-opening on 27th December, then normal hours until 31st December, when they will again all close at 5pm, re-opening on 3rd January 2015.
Christmas Eve Welcome Home: Multi-Language Support invites you to exchange gifts, share food, play games and enjoy a warm Christmas Eve together. Tea, coffee, mulled wine, mulled cider and some snacks provided: please bring a small gift for the lucky dip and some food to share. 7-10pm, 19 Sciennes Road EH9 1NX. £5 per person: please register via eventbrite if you plan to attend. Welcome Home Multi Language Support is an Edinburgh-based organisation of professional counsellors and psychotherapists who come from different countries with different cultural backgrounds, and whose aim is ‘to support overseas residents in the UK who may be encountering difficulties and problems such as culture shock, loneliness, homesickness, depression, anxiety and isolation, and to provide a warm and homely place for people to share experiences’.
A Selection of Church Services for Christmas Eve:
Morning masses:
9am (Polish), 10am, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.
Lunchtime masses:
12.45pm, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.
12 noon, St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith.
Afternoon Services for families and children:
Crib Service: a short telling of the Christmas story with carols and mince pies, suitable for children of all ages. 4pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.
Children’s Service: followed by refreshments. 5pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.
Christingle Service for All Ages: children of all ages love this candle-lighting service. 5-5.30pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.
Messy Nativity! 4-5.30pm, Saltyard Cafe, 158 Dalry Road.
Christingle Service with nativity play: 4.30pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.
Crib Service: 4pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.
Christmas Eve Crib Service: 5pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.
Christmas Eve Family Service: 4-4.45pm, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road.
Christmas Eve Crib Service: for children and families. 4pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.
Christmas Eve Service for Babies, Toddlers and Pre-School Children: with songs and stories. 4pm, Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North.
Early evening services:
Christingle Family Service: 6.30pm, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace. All welcome.
Christmas Eve Service: 5-6.30pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place.
Christmas Eve Family Service: 6.30pm, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road.
Christmas Eve Service: 5pm, German Church, Laudate House, 1 Chalmers Crescent.
Vigil Masses: 6pm and 9pm (Polish Vigil), St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.
Carols & Mass of the Nativity: 7.30pm (carols), 8pm (Mass), St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith.
Midnight services:
Midnight Mass. Preacher: the Provost, setting: Vierne Messe Solonnelle. 11.30pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.
Watchnight Service: readings, prayers and carols to keep watch until Christmas Day. 11.30pm (ends just after midnight), Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.
Watchnight Service: 11.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.
Carol Service and Midnight Mass (celebrant: Archbishop Cushley): 11.30pm, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.
Christmas Songs and Carols followed by Watchnight Service: 11pm (Watchnight Service begins 11.30pm), Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North.
Watchnight Service: 11.30pm-12.15am, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate.
Carols by Candlelight followed by Watchnight Service: 11pm, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road.
Midnight Sung Eucharist: 11.30pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.
Watchnight Service: 11.30pm, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road.
Watchnight Service: 11.15pm, Gorgie Dalry Church, 190 Gorgie Road.
Midnight Mass: 11.30pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.
Festival of Sacred Music: Traditional Watchnight Service. Carols from 11.15pm, service begins 11.30pm, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 1a Mayfield Road.
Midnight Service: a service of Holy Communion for Christmas. 11.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.
Organ Music and Midnight Mass: 10.45pm (music), 11.15pm mass begins, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.
Midnight Mass of Christmas (by candlelight): 11.30pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.
