Edinburgh Open Workshop Invites Families and Adults to Get Creative This Christmas
Edinburgh Open Workshop (EOW) is getting into the festive spirit with two special days of seasonal making, offering families and adults the chance to learn new skills and make something unique in the run-up to Christmas.
Taking place on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 12 December, the EOW Festive Make will bring together local artists and makers for a programme of hands-on activities, from festive printing and cardboard creations to leatherwork, tufting and woodworking.
Free Festive Making for Families – Saturday 28 November
The celebrations begin on Saturday 28 November with a free Family Festive Make, running from 10am to 1pm.
Families can get stuck into a morning of creative activities, including making giant cardboard crackers and festive characters, building Christmas scenes, printing handmade Christmas cards using specially commissioned lino designs and decorating colourful cracker crowns.
The morning will also feature a visit from the Travelling Gallery, bringing its touring contemporary art exhibition to the workshop.
Making sessions will run every 30 minutes. All activities are free, but advance booking is required for the making sessions.
The event is supported by the Fair Saturday Edinburgh Community Engagement Fund, helping to make creative activities accessible to families across the local community.
Adult Festive Make – Saturday 12 December
On Saturday 12 December, EOW will welcome adults for a day of creative workshops led by experienced local makers.
With morning and afternoon sessions available, participants can try festive lino cutting and printing, advanced folding, sustainable tinsel making, sewing reusable cracker crowns, hand tufting and leatherwork techniques. There will also be an opportunity to transform reclaimed Scottish oak barrel staves into tealight holders.
Each workshop lasts three hours, giving participants time to learn new techniques and take home something they've made themselves.
Workshops cost £50 per person, with places limited and advance booking essential.
Director of EOW, Natasha Lee-Walsh, said:
“There's something really special about making things yourself, particularly at Christmas. We wanted to give people of all ages the chance to come into the workshop, try something new and enjoy a bit of creative time together.
“Whether it's families getting stuck into some festive fun or adults learning a new skill, we're looking forward to welcoming everyone and sharing a little Christmas creativity.”
Part of Leith Creative Trail 2026
Both events form part of Leith Creative Trail 2026, which runs from 27 November to 13 December.
Now in its fifth year, the Trail brings together 33 venues and hundreds of artists and makers, inviting visitors to explore the wealth of creativity taking place across Leith.
Coordinated by Edinburgh Open Workshop, the Trail is supported by funding from the City of Edinburgh Council's Local Events Open Fund.