The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ weekend guide: 28 - 30 November 2025
One of the busiest weekends of the year, including Leith Creative Trail, Fair Saturday, Soundhouse Winter Festival + more
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Surprise! I said the newsletter was on pause this week, but there's so much happening in terms of events this weekend that I had to throw something together. So there's no actual newsy-news in today's edition. Instead, it's the city's most comprehensive round-up of weekend events, plus items sent in by readers you won't find anywhere else (trust me, I look). Thanks to everyone who contributes and makes this newsletter so vibrant. Your usual (shorter) daily newsletter returns on Monday.
🌦️ Weekend weather: A sunny but blustery start to Friday with a high of 9C and rain in the evening. Saturday will be colder and cloudy but dry. Sunday is due to be even colder with a high of 4C, but is looking like the sunniest day of the weekend. - Get the full Met Office forecast here.
🎨 This year's Leith Creative Trail begins on Saturday and runs until Sunday 7 December. It's a series of events linking Leith's creative markets and open studios; an opportunity to discover and buy unique artistic gifts and meet the makers. It's the definition of 'shop local & support local'. - Find the full programme here.
- Edinburgh Open Workshop hosts a Winter Makers Market on Saturday 29 November, 10am to 4pm at 39 – 41 Assembly Street, EH6 7BQ. - Full details here.
- Cyan Clayworks hosts Open Studios on Saturday 29 November, Friday 5 – Saturday 6 December (11am to 5pm); Wednesday 3 December (12pm to 5pm); and Thursday 4 December (2pm to 7pm) at 5 Commercial Street, EH6 6JA. - Full details here.
- Leith Market hosts a Food & Craft Market on Saturday 29 November and Saturday 7 December, 10am to 4pm at Dock Place, Commercial Street, EH6 6LU. - Full details here.
- Glass Lab Edinburgh hosts an Open Studio & Pop Up Student Exhibition on Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November, 11am to 5pm at 17 North Leith Sands, EH6 4ER. - Full details here.
- Portland Street Pottery hosts an Open Studio & Shop on Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November and 6 + 7 December, 11am to 5pm at 81 – 85 Portland Street, EH6 4AY. - Full details here.
- Mote 102 hosts an Open Studio on Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November and Friday 5 – Sunday 7 December, 11am to 6pm at 102 Ferry Road, EH6 4PG. - Full details here.
- SilverHub Studios hosts an Open Studio Showcase on Saturdays and Sundays this weekend and next, 11am to 5pm at 40 Ferry Road, EH6 4AE. - Full details here.
- Art Glass Studio 34 hosts an Open Studio Exhibition from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 7 December, 11am to 5pm at 32 – 34 Ferry Road, EH6 4AE. - Full details here.
- Support The Makers @ Lind and Lime hosts a Christmas Market on Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November, 11am to 5pm at Lind and Lime Distillery, 24 Coburg St, EH6 6HB. - Full details here.
- Coburg House hosts Fair Saturday & Open Studios on Saturday 29 November (11am to 4pm); Friday 5 December (6pm to 9pm); and Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 December (10am to 5pm) at 15 Coburg Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6ET. - Full details here.
- Nook & Cranny Studios hosts an Open Studio from Saturday 29 November – Friday 5 December and on Sunday 7 December, 11am to 4pm at 89 Giles Street (2F1), EH6 6BZ. - Full details here.
- Away Industries hosts a Pop Up with Pals on Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 November, 10am to 5pm at 92 Constitution Street, EH6 6RP. - Full details here.
- Leith Makers hosts an Open Studios on Saturday 29 November, 11am to 5:30pm at 105 Leith Walk, EH6 8NP. - Full details here.
- Leith Walk Police Box hosts Pop Up Events throughout the week, open from 10am to 6pm at Leith Walk, EH7 4LT. - Full details here.
- Out of the Blue at Abbeymount Studios hosts Winter Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 5pm at 2 Easter Road, EH7 5AN. - Full details here.
- ⮑ And here are next week/weekend's Leith Creative Trail events:
- Custom House hosts Open Studio & Exhibitions on Saturday 6 December, 10am to 5pm at 65 Commercial Street, EH6 6LH. - Full details here.
- Stampalofi hosts Open Studio Sessions from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 7 December, 10:30am to 5:30pm at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, EH6 6JJ. - Full details here.
- Leith School of Art's Albion Road Campus hosts an Arts & Makers Market on Saturday 6 + Sunday 7 December, 10:30am to 4:30pm at 66 Albion Road, EH7 5QZ. - Full details here.
- Paradigm Shift Open Studios opens its Studio, Shop & Workshops on Monday 1 and Thursday 4 – Friday 5 December (11am to 8pm), then Saturday 6 + Sunday 7 December (10am to 6pm) at 9 Tolbooth Wynd, EH6 6DN. - Full details here.
- Out of the Blue Drill Hall hosts its Winter Arts Market on Friday 5 December (5pm to 9pm) and Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 December (11am to 5pm) at 36 Dalmeny St, EH6 8RG. - Full details here.
📆 What else is on this weekend?
🎻 Soundhouse Winter Festival takes over the Traverse Theatre all weekend. It has live performances by some of Scotland's top musicians across jazz, folk, indy and classical, alongside workshops and masterclasses for those looking to learn from accomplished players. - The full line-up is here.
🎄 The Pitt Market in Granton has a Christmas Night Market between 4pm and 11pm on Friday, then running all weekend alongside family crafternoon activities. - Full details here.
🛍️ Shunning 'Black Friday': Fair Saturday is a one-day celebration of creativity and community across the arts, with live music, practical workshops on printmaking, singing and songwriting, as well as markets. - The event's full programme is here.
⮑ Highlights from the programme are in The List.
🖼️ The resident artists of Edinburgh Printmakers present 'Our Shared World: Castle Mills Members Show 5', opening on Friday. - Full details here.
🎵 Fruitmarket’s third annual festival of new music, Deep Time, curated by Raven Chacon, is on this weekend. - The full programme of shows is here.
🩰 Festive classic 'The Snow Queen' glides on to the Festival Theatre stage this weekend. - Details and tickets are here.
- ⮑ Find this weekend's local stage listings on All Edinburgh Theatre, including: 'It’s a Wonderful Life' (by Leitheatre) at Church Hill Theatre in Morningside + comedian Connor Burns at the Lyceum on Sunday night.
🎸 Red Hot Chilli Pipers and The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience play at the Ross Bandstand this weekend. Find out more about the Taste of Scotland and St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh events via Andrew Girdwood on Edinburgh Reviews.
📆 There's a a big weekend at Lost Shore Surf Resort, while the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston hosts Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experiences. - More details in Emma Simmonds' weekend guide in The List.
🐣 We're spoilt for choice with family-friendly events this weekend. Gayle's Guide makes sure to note which events are free too, which is helpful at this time of year.
Gayle’s Guide
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
Friday:
📌 "Every night until Saturday 29 November 7pm. The stage is set at North Edinburgh Arts for Edinburgh’s premier pantomime! Forth Children’s Theatre’s original production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears bursts with songs, silliness and pure winter magic. A guaranteed cure for dark, chilly nights." - Thanks to Forth Children’s Theatre for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 28th November 10am - 5pm Saturday 29th November 10am - 4pm KESTIN Sample Sale. All sizes available from XS- XXL. Location - Custom Lane 1 Customs Wharf, Leith, EH6 6AL Cash & Card Accepted Bring Your Own Bag" - Thanks to none for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 28 November: The 5th annual selling exhibition members of Edinburgh Printmakers responds to the theme Our Shared World. Featuring the work of 124 artists, the exhibition celebrates contemporary printmaking through screenprinting, etching, lithography, textile and mixed-media pieces." - Thanks to Owen, Edinburgh Printmakers for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 28th November 6-8pm - Christmas Wreath Workshop at Portobello Art School. Come create a beautiful Christmas wreath! Hot chocolate station and all materials included. £60 pp. other dates available. Book at PAS website or email 1996emilyr@gmail.com" - Thanks to PAS Workshop facilitators Emily and Rebecca for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 28th November 2025 at Inlet Leith join Schiraldi Arts Comics & Classes for the Masterclass: Colouring with Markers with the talented artist Alex Sasu! Hurry up, spots are limited and selling fast!" - Thanks to Anna Francesca Schiraldi Founder of Schiraldi Arts Comics & Classes for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 28 November - Edinburgh Library of Things invites you to come learn a classic grandma craft for mental health and repair prowess - the classic art of darning socks! We will learn one or two classic darning stitches and have cosy vibes and hot drinks." - Thanks to Alix, co-founder of Edinburgh Library of Things, for sharing this.
Saturday:
📌 "Saturday 29th November - Wednesday 3rd December. Join us for Paradigms, an exhibition and studio sale of artwork by four local women artists: Catherine Young, Hazel Brady, Jayne McIntyre and Louise Todd. Open daily 10am-5pm at Whitespace, 76 East Crosscauseway, Edinburgh, EH8 9HQ." - Thanks to Louise Todd for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29 November - On Fair Saturday, Barnton Bunker and Abandoned Artists will host Kaizen, a free, hands-on art experience featuring evolving artworks across Scotland’s largest nuclear bunker. Each installation will invite visitors to interact using easy-to-follow instructions." - Thanks to Natalie Arnold of Barnton Bunker for sharing this.
📌 "Join us at Dr Neil's Garden for Christmas Sparkle. A wonderful winter exhibition and celebration of Edinburgh-made jewellery and crafts. Open 28th November 2-5pm and 29-30th November 10am-4pm." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this. - Find Dr Neil's Garden in Duddingston here.
📌 "Saturday 29 November (10:30am–1:30pm) – St George’s Christmas Fair at St George’s School, Garscube Terrace. Shop local from 30 talented makers and student-run stalls, enjoy festive treats, and meet Santa in his grotto. Bring the family and start your festive season in a warm, welcoming setting." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29th November 11-3 - Royston Wardieburn Community Centre - FACE (Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh) Winter Fair. Festive stalls, handmade gifts, and plenty of cheer for a great cause. Also looking for donations." - Thanks to Matt Townsley - Edinburgh Cancer Centre for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29th Nov. Looking for something fun with the kids? Join storyteller Fergus at 11am at the LifeCare Hub on Cheyne St, Stockbridge, for St Andrew’s Day–themed tales for ages 3–10. No need to book just come along. All for free and everyone’s welcome!" - Thanks to Claire, LifeCare for sharing this.
📌 "This Artist Book Exhibition draws on Jacinda Ardern’s interview on The Rest Is Politics: Leading, where she cites former NZ PM Norman Kirk: people need “somewhere to live, something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for,” a truth that still endures." - Thanks to Ian Farmer of Upright Gallery for sharing this.
📌 "Sat 29th & Sun 30th Nov, 12-5pm each day. It's Winter Open Studios at Abbeymout time! Come along and meet our resident artists and makers and browse an exciting variety of works, many of which are for sale. Check out local artists’ work (ceramics, printing, fabric and more!) and pick up some handmade Christmas gifts 🎁 Everything is handmade at the studios." - Thanks to the organisers (and artists!) for sharing this.
📌 "Join Strongman Collective for a FREE session of Experimental Life Drawing, featuring a live movement artist as model. Artists of all backgrounds and experience welcome. 1pm-2:30pm in the Basement at 34 Wright's Houses." - Thanks to Strongman Collective for sharing this.
📌 "Sat 29 November, 2pm to 5pm - Christmas Fair at the German Church in Marchmont. Hand made wreaths, German home baking and jam, Christmas decorations and handmade gifts, fresh waffles and Bratwurst. Free children’s activities include a puppet show (in English), face painting, and trail with prizes." - Thanks to the fair organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Morningside Hope Dementia Charity are holding a dementia friendly concert on Saturday 29th Nov 25 at 2pm in Morningside Parish church all welcome. It will be the George Heriots Chamber Choir. Concert will last 45mins then tea / coffee will be available." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Come support your local roller derby league for the last game of a season, as we bring you a double header with two visiting celtic teams - from Aberdeen, Granite City Roller Derby B Team, the Fight Hawks will take on ARRD C team roster, and the Mighty Dubs/Dublin will play ARRD All Stars!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29th November 2-5pm: Pianodrome St Oswald's Centre Montpelier Pk Bruntsfield join us in celebrating 10yrs of meanwhile activities on the Fountainbridge canal site. Share memories, art display, music, refreshments. All welcome." - Thanks to Jane for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29 November - Scottish Documentary Institute presents the heartwarming documentary Runa Simi, followed by a sing-along of “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King. This welcoming, family-friendly event offers pay-what-you-can tickets. From 3:00PM to 5.30PM at Filmhouse Cinema." - Thanks to Caireen Stuart, New Producer at Scottish Documentary Institute, for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29 November - Edinburgh Rugby are back in action this Saturday when they face Welsh side Ospreys at Hive Stadium. Bring the noise, bring your mates and bring the energy to back the captial!" - Thanks to Edinburgh Rugby for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday, 29th November, 5:30pm-7:30pm: Paint & Sip at Marpole Retreats on Leith Walk. Grab a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other and let your creativity flow!" - Thanks to Marpole Retreats for sharing this.
📌 "UK Surf Cinema rides into Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse on Sat 29 Nov with Riptide, Salt & Finding San Nicolas — powerful surf films featuring unseen 1970s footage, a pioneering female filmmaker, and an inspiring story of recovery. £1 per ticket supports The Wave Project surf-therapy charity." - Thanks to Theo Cochrean, UK Surf Cinema & Kirsty Malcolm of Roll Nine (hello from our STV Days :), for sharing this.
Sunday:
📌 "Sunday 30 Nov, 3:15 pm. Stockbridge & New Town Community Orchestra 30th anniversary concert. Family friendly programme includes: Mahler, Grieg - Peer Gynt, Sousa - Liberty Bell and Skating with Mr Gow. Stockbridge Parish Church, Saxe Coburg Place, Edinburgh; £7.50 at the door." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 30 Nov, 12-4pm: Winter Open Studios in the Grange. Visit two home studios on Dick Place. Join us on Sunday 30 November for a cosy open studio: find me at 18a to browse my Christmas decorations and gift ideas, and pop along to no. 25 to enjoy beautiful pottery and live throwing demos." - Thanks to Artist Rachel Brown for sharing this.
📌 "Join us for a free Contemplative Writing Workshop on Sunday, November 30 at Saint Michael & All Saints, 28 Brougham Street. Whether you're a beginner or seek to enrich an existing practice, discover how contemplation flows into action through guided stillness. Walk away with tools for ongoing practice and connection to something deeper this season." - Thanks to Jenna Baer for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 30th November 2-4pm: Roll & Release Yoga Workshop off Leith Walk. Join experienced and inclusive Yoga teacher Emma McCready to regulate your nervous system through self-massage and restorative Yoga. The perfect pause before December." - Thanks to Emma McCready for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 30 November - Scottish Documentary Institute presents New Voices / Old Stories, a short film screening and Q&A that celebrates what it means to be a young Scot today. This welcoming, family-friendly event offers pay-what-you-can tickets. From 2:00PM to 3:30PM at The Crannie Community Hub." - Thanks to Caireen Stuart, New Producer at Scottish Documentary Institute, for sharing this.
📌 "This year the Edinburgh Street Historians is putting on our LGBTQ tour for the benefit of Waverley Care on World AIDS Day. Pay What You Think It’s Worth, with 100% of the proceeds going to help Waverley Care!" - Thanks to Edinburgh Street Historians for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday November 30: Susan Morrison gets Historically Funny. The history they didn't teach you in school (for good reason - its filthy stuff!). Laugh, learn and find out how a man with a bucket made a mint on the High Street...." - Thanks to Susan Morrison for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday, 30 November 2025 – An exclusive whisky tasting with indie bottler Whisky Craft as they showcase their inaugural range of single malt whiskies. Within the comfort of Bonnie & Wild's Tryst Bar, founder and whisky buff Sonny Charlies will guide you through a curated list of six stellar whiskies." - Thanks to Bonnie & Wild for sharing this.
📌 "Not quite ready for Christmas? There’s still some breathing room before it all kicks off — and a moment to enjoy: Advent Carols at St Michael and All Saints this Sunday at 18:00." - Thanks to Oliver Brewer-Lennon for sharing this.
📌 "Join us at The Compassion Salon on the 30th November 7pm at Steel Coulson Southside for a heartwarming evening with Charlie Guy and Susan Morrison, where we'll explore the power of compassion." - Thanks to Marti for sharing this.
📌 "Hot off the presses, Leith Kino's December/November-ish poster is here! Join author Xuanlin Tham this Sunday for our screening of Secretary (2002) where Xuanlin will be reading from their book Revolutionary Desires: The Political Power of the Sex Scene. Tickets £5, support your local Kino!" - Thanks to Leith Kino team member Morvern for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 1 December 7pm - Gowns & Glamour, an Art Deco Adventure from Paris to New York. A talk by Emma Taylor, Costume Society Scotland. At Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge £10 (£5 students)." - Thanks to Costume Society Scotland for sharing this.
📌 "Picture Hooks runs 2 free exhibitions at Edinburgh Central Library & Scottish Storytelling Centre. Our library display shows the lasting influence of picture books on illustrators & authors until 29/12/25. SSC showcases emerging illustrators & their mentors from our mentoring scheme, 28/11–30/12/25." - Thanks to Caitlin Mellon from Picture Hooks for sharing this.
📌 "Stall spaces available at Winter Market on the Croft, a vibrant Sunday market celebrating local makers, food vendors, and producers surrounded by firepits, fairy lights and music on Leith Community Croft. Reduced winter rates and free trial stalls* are available 30 Nov-21 Dec + into 2026 too!" - Thanks to Jaimie MacDonald, Earth in Common for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 1 December, 7pm: Join Take One Action and friends to explore what it might look like to have a radical social centre in central Edinburgh, and to explore together all the different things that a space like this could offer!" - Thanks to Take One Action for sharing this.
📌 "The Bumper Winter (December 2025/January 2026) issue of C&B News, championing five communities along the upper Water of Leith valley, is now available to view/download online, with print copies in local outlets from this Friday. Shared stories, local lives." - Thanks to C&B News for sharing this.
📈 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 📸 Photographer Tom Duffin's winning photos for 2026 calendar.
- 🏴 Flags to be removed from lampposts at top of Leith Walk.
- 🛜 Uni researchers' breakthrough to make AI systems ten times faster.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 777.
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