Support local this weekend 🎄

Hey! Nashy here 👋

This weekend is packed with reasons to support local! From vintage football kits and makers markets to family events and workshops.

Plus: a £45 gym deal that's worth a look, and a heads up on next week's gift guide.

Let's get into it. 👇

Coming next week: The Keep Edinburgh Thriving Festive Gift Guide: the best local makers and independents in Edinburgh.

Know someone who should be in it? Friend, family member, favourite local business? I want to hear about them.

📩 Reply to this email with their details.

Let's keep it local this Christmas. 🎄

Alright, if you've been putting off getting into the gym (I see you), this one's for you.

ATS over in West Gorgie is one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets for personal training.

Run by John and Will two coaches with a combined 20+ years of experience who've trained everyone from complete beginners to Olympians and NFL players.

No egos, no intimidation, just really sound people who know their stuff.

Here's the deal they're running:

For just £45 you get:
✅ Two weeks of unlimited in-person sessions
✅ An initial consultation to chat through your schedule and goals
✅ A four-week training plan tailored specifically to you

And if you think it's rubbish after the two weeks?
They'll give you your money back. 💸
Can't say fairer than that.

If you've been wanting to try strength training but didn't know where to start or you're just sick of the soulless big chain gyms this is your sign.

📍 11 West Gorgie Parks, EH14 1UT
🌐 @atspersonaltraining

Football shirt lovers, this is your weekend. 👀

Fraser from EH Retro Kits is doing a pop-up this Saturday and Sunday (6th & 7th December) and if you've never been to one of these, you're in for a treat.

Authentic vintage football shirts from all over the world.

We're talking proper classics, not reproductions. 90s gems, obscure international kits, the lot.

Perfect if you're hunting for a Christmas gift for the football-mad person in your life (or, you know, yourself).

EH Retro Kits has been going since 2020, has 5-star reviews on TrustPilot, and ships worldwide but there's nothing like having a proper rummage in person.

Fraser's the kind of local business owner we love to shout about/ Grafting away, building something brilliant, and giving Edinburgh folk a reason to shop local.

📍 27 Albert Place, Leith Walk, EH7 6FE
📅 Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December
🌐 @ehretrokits

EMOJI KEY: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly | 💑 Date Night | 🎉 Night Out | 🎨 Hands-On/Creative | 🎟️ Book Ahead | 🆓 Free | 🧒 Great for Kids

Above & Beyond 🎉 🎟️ Large-scale electronic show for a proper clubby group night out. One for the dance music crowd. 📍 O2 Academy | Sunday 🔗 Get Tickets

Folksville Christmas Social 🎉 Intimate folk night with a warm, local crowd vibe. Lovely stuff. 📍 Assembly Roxy | Saturday 🔗 Get Tickets

Edinburgh Brass Band – Music for Christmas 💑 Traditional brass Christmas concert. Festive and proper. 📍 St John's Church | Saturday evening 🔗 Get Tickets (SOLD OUT)

Aerial Cabaret Christmas Showcase 🎉 💑 Circus-style aerial and cabaret acts for something alternative and visual. A bit different. 📍 Assembly Roxy | Sunday 🔗 Get Tickets

KIKI Queermas 🎉 The final KIKI of 2025 — get a little naughty and a little nice for their Christmas party. 📍 Leith Arches | Saturday 🔗 Get Tickets

Great if you want to actually do something together rather than just watch.

Christmas Wreath Making and Mulled Wine Afternoon for Charity 🎨 The Open Door Community Hub Usually a couple of hours with all materials provided. Mulled wine and hot mince pies included📍 420 Morningside Road | Saturday 🔗 Get Tickets

Bookbinding Workshop 🎨 🎟️ Japanese stab binding with Concrete Nature at Fruitmarket during the Winter Makers Market. Make your own notebook. 📍 Fruitmarket | Saturday morning 🔗 Get Tickets

Christmas Paper Poinsettia Workshop 🎨 🎟️ Learn the art of crafting beautiful paper poinsettias from Italian crepe paper with paper artist Jen O'Flaherty. Unlike the real thing, these won't wilt and they're pet-safe too. All materials included. Perfect for beginners or seasoned crafters. 📍 Dovecot Studios | £60 🔗 Get Tickets

Adult & Child Crochet Christmas Star 🎨 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Ideal parent-and-kid activity at Out of the Blue. 📍 Out of the Blue, Leith WEDNESDAY 10th 🔗 Get Tickets

Edinburgh Forage & Eat St Nikolaus Day 🎨 🎟️ Guided forage for seasonal herbs/fungi then decorate gingerbread houses with what you've gathered. Very cool. 📍 Check Edinburgh Forage & Eat for details 🔗 Get Tickets

Après Wine Tasting! Mountain Wines! 🎟️ 💑 Alpine/après-ski themed Slonk Wine event at Port of Leith Distillery (Sunday). 📍 Port of Leith Distillery | Sunday 🔗 Get Tickets

Five Sisters Zoo Christmas Illuminations 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎟️ Festive lights and evening magic. Worth the drive. 📍 Five Sisters Zoo | Evening 🔗 Get Tickets

Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🎟️ Meet Santa inside Budongo Trail building while surrounded by giant lanterns. Proper magical for the wee ones. 📍 Edinburgh Zoo | Evening sessions 🔗 Get Tickets

Conifox Christmas Experience 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Santa-themed trail, activities and play areas out at Kirkliston. Very good for younger kids. 📍 Kirkliston 🔗 Get Tickets

Minnow Ceilidh Band Family Ceilidh 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the family. 📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre | Sunday 🔗 Get Tickets

Free Kids' Singing Morning 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 🆓 Free carol workshop for children aged P3-7. 📍 St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral | Saturday morning 🔗 Free Event

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Fun runs, kids races and stalls.

Step into a city alive with festive spirit. The Edinburgh Christmas Running Festival brings people together to celebrate fitness, fun, and community. From first-time runners to seasoned athletes, everyone can share in the joy of crossing the finish line with Christmas cheer all around.

📍Inverleith Park | Sunday

🔗 Take Part

Cramond Kirk Christmas Fair 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Santa grotto and all your favourite stalls. 📍 Cramond Kirk Halls | Saturday 🔗 Get Tickets

Dalkeith Country Park WinterFest 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🧒 Markets, trails and festive fun. 📍 Dalkeith Country Park 🔗 Get Tickets

Endless Love Creative Winter Makers Market 🎨 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Over 50 independent makers selling ceramics, jewellery, knitwear, prints and more. Right next to Waverley Station, use the Market Street exit for lift access. 📍 Fruitmarket, 45 Market Street | Sat & Sun, 10am–5pm 🔗 Free Event

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For its 44th year, 3D2D Events will be bringing you Christmas at the Assembly Rooms in central Edinburgh on the weekend of 6th and 7th December 2025 from 10.30am to 5pm.

Showcasing over 120 artisan makers. Browse, shop or commission from an eclectic selection of unique handmade gifts

📍 Assembly Rooms, George Street | Sat & Sun
🔗 Get Tickets

MnB Christmas Market 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Local artisans, designers and makers. Great for unique gifts with a local, arty feel. 📍 Leith Arches | Saturday 🔗 Free Tickets

Drill Hall Christmas Arts Markets 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 More local, arty vibes in Leith. Across the two days, over 80 of our hand-picked local independent artists and makers will be selling their work, with different stallholders on each of the two days.

6 December 2025 - 7 December 2025
📍 Drill Hall, Leith 🔗 Get Tickets

Typical-December stuff. Expect mid single digit temperatures, a lot of cloud, and some showers nothign extreme extreme.

Saturday 6th December 🌧️ Mostly cloudy with a shower or two in the morning, drier but still overcast later in the day. Around 5–7°C but feeling colder in any wind.

Sunday 7th December 🌤️ Some showers around but with signs of brightening and partial clearing later on. Similar temps to Saturday roughly mid-single digits. Still cool and a bit damp at times but good for outdoor markets and light trails if you're dressed for it.

What to wear: 🧥 Warm base layer, jumper, waterproof jacket, and hat/gloves for evenings especially if you're doing Christmas markets, Castle of Light or outdoor runs. Decent footwear is a must.

The bottom line: Outdoor events should be fine to go ahead with only light showers expected, but worth checking each event's page on the day for any last-minute updates.

That's your lot for this week.

Get out there, support some local businesses, and I'll see you around the city. 👋

— Nashy

Know a local business that deserves a feature? Reply to this email or DM us on Instagram @keepedinburghthriving