Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store is giving shoppers a peek behind the wrapping, inviting customers in for a first look at its new festive collections at the Christmas Preview Evening on Thursday 15 October.
To mark the arrival of Christmas at Dobbies, the Edinburgh store will stay open until 7pm, giving customers extra time to explore the new collections, take advantage of special in-store offers and kick-start their Christmas shopping.
These include discounts on selected Christmas trees, string lights and baubles, as well as deals across the pet department.
The evening will also include live demonstrations on planting and attendees can also enjoy product sampling from the food hall as well as the restaurant and coffee shops.
Dobbiesâ Best Ever Christmas 2026 across the UK in numbers
18,000+ artificial Christmas trees arriving in stores for the festive season.Â
50,000+ Christmas crackers in 12 designs.
100,000 packs of baubles across a huge variety of colours, styles and finishes.
138,000 packs of string lights ready to help homes sparkle this Christmas.Â
500,000+ individual decorations, with 400 different options to choose from.
Dobbies Head of Brand, Kirsty Rockey, said: âOur customers look forward to our Christmas shop opening each year, and this is set to be one of our best launches yet. With 80% of our Christmas range brand new for 2026, there are even more decorations, homeware and gifts to discover, alongside some fantastic festive deals.Â
âThis yearâs Christmas range features five distinct collections: Classic Noel, North Pole, A Country Christmas, Winter Wonderland and Christmas Carnival.
“Alongside a collection to suit every home, Dobbies has everything from eye-catching baubles to playful Christmas characters and gifts for every member of the family.
“We can’t wait to welcome customers to the Christmas Preview Evening to officially launch Dobbies’ Best Ever Christmas.”Â
To shop Dobbiesâ full Christmas and seasonal ranges, visit www.dobbies.com.
To learn more about the Christmas Preview Evening at the Edinburgh store and to book a free ticket, visit dobbies.com/events.
Garden Centre encourages local schools and nurseries in Edinburgh to apply for a free fresh Christmas tree
Dobbies Garden Centres is helping bring festive cheer to communities across the UK this Christmas, through its annual Community Christmas Tree campaign. In partnership with Needlefresh, Dobbies Edinburgh store will donate five trees to schools and nurseries, helping create magical seasonal displays for the local community.
The campaign launches from 1 October as the garden centre officially celebrates the launch of its Christmas 2026 collection landing in the Edinburgh store and Dobbies is encouraging local schools and nurseries to apply now for the chance to receive one Nordmann Fir cut Christmas tree.
Local schools and nurseries within 20 miles of Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store can apply for a free Christmas tree and entries close at 5pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Dobbiesâ Plant Buyer Nigel Lawton said: âWeâre proud to continue our Community Christmas Tree campaign and support schools and nurseries across the country as they prepare for the festive season.
“A real Christmas tree can become a focal point for celebrations, encouraging children to come together and take part in festive activities. We look forward to seeing how this yearâs recipients make the most of their trees and the positive impact they have on their communities.
âOur Nordmann Fir trees are a fantastic choice for schools and nurseries. Their soft, dark green needles make them easy to decorate, while their excellent needle retention means they can continue to look fresh and vibrant throughout the festive season when cared for properly.â
Dobbies Christmas trees from Needlefresh are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland, where a small growing team plant, prune, and harvest each tree by hand. This method helps protect the surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.
Kenneth Mitchell from Needlefresh said: âWe are delighted to continue our support for Dobbies Community Christmas Trees for 2026. Itâs a great initiative that gives schools and nurseries the opportunity to bring a real Christmas tree into their festive celebrations.
“Weâre proud to work alongside Dobbies to help make the festive season feel extra special for local communities throughout the UK, while also showcasing the quality and care that goes into growing every tree.â
As part of the festive celebrations, successful applicants will be invited to collect their tree at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store Charity Christmas Shopping Night on Thursday 26 November.
The event gives customers the opportunity to enjoy an evening of Christmas inspiration, seasonal entertainment and shopping, while raising funds for Dobbies National Charity Partner, Alzheimerâs Research UK.
Dobbies Community Christmas Tree successful applicants will be informed by mid-November and can collect their Christmas tree from their local store at Charity Christmas Shopping Night on 26 November.
To mark the arrival of Christmas at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh, the store will stay open until 7pm for Christmas Preview Evening on Thursday 15 October, giving customers extra time to explore the new collections, take advantage of special in-store offers and kick-start their Christmas shopping.
These include discounts on selected Christmas trees, string lights and baubles, as well as deals across the pet department.
This autumn, customers can enjoy a packed calendar of seasonal events at Dobbies Edinburgh store, with experiences designed for children, families, dog owners and those looking to enjoy a relaxing autumn-themed Crafternoon Tea.
September Crafternoon Tea
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of creativity at Dobbiesâ Crafternoon Tea, where customers will enjoy a delicious three-tiered afternoon tea, and start to create a unique glass mosaic to take home and complete.
The three-tiered afternoon tea will include an excellent selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, Dobbiesâ famous scones with plain and fruit options, served with Cornish clotted cream and a mini pot of jam and a delicious selection of sweet treats to top it off. Customers will also get a pot of tea or coffee with unlimited refills. Customers can also upgrade to a prosecco afternoon tea when booking.
Tickets for Dobbiesâ Crafternoon Tea are ÂŁ40 per person, and advance booking is required at www.dobbies.com.
Little Scare-lings
This spooky season, come along to a spellbinding Halloween Tea Party filled with witchy magic and tasty treats at the Dobbiesâ Little Scare-lings event. Little ones can take part in some hands-on fun with a spooktacular session of potion making, creating their own glow-in-the-dark slime, and decorating a trick or treat bag to take home and fill with Halloween sweets.
There will be lots of ghoulish games and activities to take part in, and a Halloween themed afternoon tea brimming with sand-witches, scarily good scones and spooky sweet treats.
Tickets to the Little Scare-lings event are ÂŁ15 per child and from ÂŁ7.50 per adult (including tea or coffee with a choice of cake or add on afternoon tea for ÂŁ17.50). Advance booking is required at dobbies.com
Pup-kin Patch
Dobbiesâ popular Pup-kin Patch will return to the Edinburgh store this autumn for lots of tail-wagging fun for dogs. Bring your furry friend along to the dog-friendly event, where they can sniff, explore and choose their very own autumn toy from the playful patch.
With activities from a doggy obstacle course, and a sniff or treat game, to enjoying a puppuccino from the restaurant, furry friends are bound to have a paw-some outing. The event will also include a free digital photo opportunity for dogs to pose in front of an autumnal backdrop, for a beautiful pet âpaw-traitâ.
Tickets to the event are ÂŁ13.50 per dog (owners go free) and will also include money-off vouchers to enjoy in store and one free hot drink for humans with the purchase of any cake or breakfast roll from the restaurant.
Autumn Terrarium Workshop
Dobbies Edinburgh store is hosting the ultimate autumn activity with a themed planting experience, where the Green Team will show customers how to create their own autumn terrarium.
There will be the chance to create a miniature indoor landscape that captures the rich colours and textures of the season, with plants carefully selected by Dobbiesâ Senior Plant Buyer, and RHS judge, Claire Bishop.Â
The workshop will start with a guided demonstration where attendees can learn some expert tips on care and design, then customers will have the chance to get hands-on and create a beautiful terrarium to take home and care for.
There is the option to add a Gardenersâ Afternoon Tea for ÂŁ17.50, featuring a delicious selection of savoury and sweet treats and unlimited tea and coffee refills. Tickets for the Autumn Terrarium Workshop at the Edinburgh store are ÂŁ37.50 per person and must be booked in advance at www.dobbies.com.
Dobbiesâ Events Programme Manager, Hannah Stephen, is looking forward to welcoming families, dogs and planting enthusiasts to the excellent line-up of autumn events taking place in store this year.
Hannah said: âDobbies are excited to offer a variety of seasonal events, with fun for all ages and every member of the family.Â
âThe Autumn Terrarium Workshop is the perfect afternoon out for couples and friends who love to be creative, and our brand-new autumn Crafternoon Tea is an excellent opportunity for customers to enjoy crafting, conversation and a change of pace.
âOur Little Scare-lings event is a firm favourite for families, with plenty of action-packed activities, and the Pup-kin Patch is back by popular demand for all the dogs looking to get involved in the autumn fun. We canât wait to celebrate autumn and Halloween by welcoming our customers into stores.â
For more information on Autumn events at the Edinburgh store and to book tickets, visit Dobbies.com/events.
Little Seedlings Club and Gabbyâs Dollhouse Summer Holiday Club
UNP Dobbies Dunfermline – 46719
Chloe (7) and her dad Ruary.
Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store has a fantastic line up of free workshops to inspire kids to get outdoors and discover the magic of nature during the school holidays.
This July, the popular Little Seedlings Club returns with a workshop exploring the wonders of water. Dobbies is also teaming up with DreamWorks to bring an extra special Gabbyâs Dollhouse Summer Holiday Club workshop, for children to learn about gardening with Gabby and Kitty Fairy.Â
Little Seedlings Club is the free-to-attend kids gardening workshop that takes place every month in Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store and covers a wide variety of seasonal topics.
Julyâs workshop will focus on the wonders of water in an interactive workshop where children will learn about where water comes from, its journey through the water cycle, and how ponds provide essential habitats for wildlife with demonstrations and activities to help bring their learning to life.
Children will get the chance to take part in a hands-on creative craft activity to make their own pond habitat.
Alongside the monthly Little Seedlings Club, Dobbies has teamed up with DreamWorks to host a Gabbyâs Dollhouse Summer Holiday Club workshop. During the workshop, children will step into Kitty Fairyâs garden to learn about the secret life of gardens, discover magical fairy garden stories, explore dandelion wishes and learn how to become nature guardians. The session will finish with children creating their own secret fairy garden door to take home.
Dobbiesâ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, said: âGardening is a fantastic way for children to connect with nature, spark their curiosity and have fun outdoors.
“Through our Little Seedlings Club and the Gabbyâs Dollhouse Summer Holiday Club workshops, weâre creating fun, hands-on experiences that introduce children to plants, wildlife and the environment, and help them learn a new skill.
âWhether theyâre learning how water helps gardens grow or creating their own magical fairy garden, these workshops are designed to inspire the next generation of young gardeners while showing that spending time outdoors can be lots of fun.â
Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store monthly Little Seedlings Club, taking place on Sunday 5 July at 9:30am, is free-to-attend and must be booked in advance at www.dobbies.com/events.
The free-to-attend Gabbyâs Dollhouse Summer Holiday Club runs on selected dates in the Edinburgh store and must be booked in advance at www.dobbies.com/events
Edinburgh gardeners and David Beckham fans can now get their hands on the newly launched Sir David Beckham rose (Ausa34b16) at Dobbies Edinburgh, following its unveiling at this yearâs RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The new white English Shrub Rose, created by renowned breeder David Austin Roses in honour of one of Britainâs most celebrated figures, has arrived in limited numbers at the Edinburgh and is expected to prove popular with local shoppers looking to embrace the cottage garden trend this summer.
Originally gifted to Beckham from his daughter for his 50th birthday, the David Austin ÂŽ rose is a lasting symbol of love and admiration that will continue to bloom year after year.
Dobbies is also sharing expert advice on achieving a classic Cotswolds-inspired planting style, combining soft florals, layered textures and natural materials.
Nigel Lawton, Plant Buyer at Dobbies, commented, âThe Sir David Beckham rose is a brilliant addition for gardeners looking to create a timeless English country garden feel at home.
“Roses continue to be hugely popular as more people embrace relaxed, naturalistic planting styles inspired by countryside gardens and outdoor living trends.Â
âThis variety works beautifully alongside classic cottage garden favourites like lavender, salvia and foxgloves to create that soft, romantic look people associate with Cotswolds-style gardens.â
Dobbiesâ top tips for creating the Cotswolds garden look at home: Â
1. Layer soft cottage garden planting Combine roses with lavender, delphiniums, foxgloves and salvia to create fullness, softness and seasonal colour. Mixing heights and textures helps achieve a relaxed, natural look.
2. Add natural materials and rustic textures Terracotta pots, weathered stone, gravel pathways and wooden planters all help create the understated countryside feel seen in traditional Cotswolds gardens.
3. Keep planting generous and informal Avoid rigid lines and structured displays. Instead, allow flowers and greenery to spill naturally through borders for a more romantic, lived-in garden style.
With limited quantities available in each participating store , customers are encouraged to shop early as demand is expected to be high.
ÂŁ2.50 from the sale of every rose will be donated to The Kingâs Foundation, for which David Beckham serves as an ambassador.
The power of plants is the topic for Dobbies Little Seedlings Club in May
Photograph: Andy Jones / UNP (United National Photographers)
Dobbiesâ free-to-attend childrenâs gardening workshop is here for the month of May, giving children the chance to discover the âPower of Plantsâ.
The session takes place on Sunday 3 May at the Edinburgh store and will cover everything there is to know about different types of plants, the ways they protect themselves and their healing properties.
Mayâs Little Seedlings Club at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store will explore the unexpected powers of plants, with a focus on climbing plants, carnivorous plants, healing plants, and will be looking at specific garden powerhouses, such as the Venus flytrap, climbing ivy, chamomile, aloe vera and many more.
Children will have the opportunity to join hands-on activities in a group setting alongside fellow young gardening enthusiasts. In the May workshop, they will explore the soothing qualities of lavender and discover how it attracts essential pollinators to the garden. Afterwards, each child will get to plant their own lavender pot to take home.
Photograph: Andy Jones / UNP (United National Photographers)
Dobbiesâ Event Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: âThe Power of Plants is an inspiring and important topic for our Little Seedlings to discover this May.
“Children taking part can get excited to learn about plants with special powers including the ability to climb, protect themselves, and healing properties.
âDobbiesâ Little Seedlings Club is a fantastic way to get children enthusiastic about spending time in their gardens and nature. The free workshops at our Edinburgh store are designed to be engaging and encourage curiosity, and the hands-on activities are always a highlight.â
For those looking to get involved in Dobbiesâ Little Seedlings Club and to book a free space at the Edinburgh store, visit www.dobbies.com/events.
Celebrate the colours of spring at Dobbiesâ Spring Shopping Evening, a free-to-attend evening event dedicated to outdoor living and seasonal inspiration, taking place on Thursday 2 April at the Edinburgh store.
Bring friends and family together to join the local community to mark the start of the season, with entertainment from local groups, hands-on workshops, delicious samples from Dobbiesâ new foodhall, and in-store garden inspiration.
Start the evening with a complimentary drink on arrival and be in with the chance to receive a pair of gardening gloves, available to the first 100 customers that come through the door at the Edinburgh store. Browse Dobbiesâ Easter Bank Holiday Weekend offers and receive a free ÂŁ5 gift card when you spend ÂŁ40 or ÂŁ10 when you spend ÂŁ70.
Shoppers can enjoy live musical entertainment from local community groups while they get inspired this spring by Dobbies in-store garden furniture and 2026 spring summer trends. There will also be samples on offer from the brand-new Dobbies âcottage kitchen gardenâ foodhall as they shop and the restaurant will be open until 7.30pm for drinks and light bites.
A free Create Your Own Spring Container Workshop will begin at 6pm, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the Dobbiesâ Green Team as they demonstrate how to design and plant a beautiful spring container using seasonal foliage and flowers. They will also share tips on plant combinations, soil preparation and feeding, and how to keep your container looking vibrant all season long.
Dobbiesâ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: âWe are excited to invite our customers to Dobbies for our Spring Shopping Evening at the Edinburgh store, where they can discover fresh planting ideas and explore the latest outdoor living trends.
“This special event is the perfect way to kick off the season, celebrate community spirit, and spark garden inspiration. We canât wait to welcome our customers and help everyone make the most of garden living in the months ahead.”
Tickets for Dobbiesâ Spring Shopping Evening are free but sign up is required to receive an arrival drink. To book visit dobbies.com/events.
An action-packed free gardening workshop for children
Dobbies is teaming up with Gabbyâs Dollhouse to bring an extra special spring themed experience to families at its Edinburgh store with a free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club on Saturday 4 April, packed with fun and creativity.
Gabbyâs Dollhouse is a kid-favourite, cat-tastic show by Dreamworks that follows Gabby and her cat friends in their adventures around her magical dollhouse. Each episode is filled with fun, crafts, baking, music and problem solving.
This April, the Little Seedlings will step into the magical world of Gabbyâs Dollhouse for a 60-minute Easter adventure bursting with springtime fun at the Edinburgh store. Joined by Eggy the Easter Kitty Bunny, children will discover the wonders of the season, from learning about baby animals to blooming, colourful flowers, before diving into hands-on activities and a fun filled in-store quest.
The workshop will begin by welcoming Gabby and her kitty friends, before Eggy hops in to sprinkle some Easter magic and share fascinating traditions from around the world. Little Seedlings will then set off on Gabbyâs Easter Hunt, inspired by the celebration in Kitty Fairyâs Fairy Tail Garden, before learning about the bright, beautiful blooms that spring brings.
To round off the adventure, every child will create their own adorable kitty or bunny planter, filled with cat grass seeds. A perfect take-home reminder of their magical day.
Dobbiesâ Event Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: âWeâre delighted to welcome fans of Gabbyâs Dollhouse to our April Little Seedlings Club and team up with Dreamworks on a truly special Easter workshop at our Edinburgh store.
âThe interactive, hands-on event is a wonderful way for children to celebrate the start of spring and learn more about animals and flowers that come to life at this time of year. Weâre looking forward to watching the Little Seedlings enjoy a magical Gabbyâs Dollhouse Easter adventure at Dobbies.â
Dobbiesâ Little Seedlings Club is a free-to-attend workshop that typically takes place on the first Sunday of every month in the Edinburgh store. The workshops are suited for children aged 4-10 and covers a range of seasonal topics set to inspire the next generation of gardening enthusiasts.
For those looking to get involved in Gabbyâs Dollhouse Little Seedlings Club at Dobbies, and book a free space this April, visit www.dobbies.com/events.
Applications now open for Dobbies Community Gardens
Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store is inviting local schools, charities and community groups to apply for this yearâs Dobbies Community Gardens, giving successful groups the opportunity to receive support to help bring green spaces to life across the country.Â
In 2025, each of Dobbies 53 stores selected a winner from over 600 entries to receive support, supplies and advice through the community initiative. Dobbiesâ Edinburgh is committed to giving back to the community on both a national and local level and is passionate about encouraging the nation to discover and share a love for gardens.
Dobbies Community Gardens will support its local communities by providing essential tools, plants and expert knowledge from colleagues to groups, to bring their green spaces to life. Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store colleagues will also provide dedicated time to each project through volunteer hours.
The community gardens initiative nurtures wellbeing, connections and inclusion to help inspire local residents to spend more time in nature.
Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store is looking to hear from local groups hoping to start, restore or upgrade their indoor or outdoor green spaces, and learn more about what they would do with the support.
Dobbiesâ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, is encouraging groups across the country to apply. He said: âEvery year we look forward to hearing from the variety of inspiring groups about what they are looking to their garden spaces, with our support.
 âWe encourage local communities and groups within 20 miles of their local Dobbies store to apply to help create their perfect shared garden spaces that will bring joy to the community all year long.
“Whether they are a charity looking to upgrade their green space, a local group looking to bring the community together with a new project, or a school with plans to restore a vegetable patch, we want to hear from anyone who has a garden project that we could support.â
Craig Allardyce, Secretary of Your North Muirton, helped transform an area of land into a community garden with more than 30 raised beds with help from Dobbies.
Craig said: âOur new space supports a wide range of local involvement from individuals renting a low-cost raised bed to grow their own food, to schools and community groups using the area for hands-on learning and shared planting.
“Dobbies Community Gardens is a fantastic initiative to help bring local communities together and we would encourage groups looking for help with a garden project to apply.â
Applications are now open and close at 5pm on 31 March 2026.
Those entering must be within 20 miles of Dobbiesâ Edinburgh store. Successful projects will be invited along to their local store for a consultation before getting recommendations from Dobbiesâ colleagues about what products and tools will help bring the space to life.Â
Dobbies has unveiled a vibrant new cottage kitchen garden style foodhall at its Edinburgh store.
Edinburgh is one of Dobbiesâ first stores to transform its foodhall with a further 47 stores planned in the coming weeks, offering customers the opportunity to discover and celebrate great food.
The new foodhall reflects Dobbiesâ commitment to investing in the Edinburgh store and responding to what local customers want. By listening to feedback from the Edinburgh community, new ways were identified to improve both the food range and the overall shopping experience.
The new foodhall at Edinburgh has opened with a host of introductory offers including 30% off Farmhouse biscuits and BelgidâOr chocolates and 20% off Coolmore cakes, and favourite brands like Fever Tree and Savoursmiths, available to 31 March.
To mark the first weekend of opening from Thursday 19 February, sampling of some of the new products will be available at various times, and one lucky customer through the doors will win a hamper filled with selected products.
Jenna Bavidge, General Manager at Dobbiesâ Edinburgh, said: âThe foodhall is one of the most popular areas in the store and an important part of our garden centre experience.
âWeâve been working hard on the new format thatâs inspired by a cottage kitchen garden and brings together essentials, treats and seasonal variety through a range of both popular and new brands. Weâre excited to welcome customers in to see the new ranges and try them for themselves.â
With more than 2,000 products, Edinburgh customers will be spoilt for choice, with Dobbiesâ famous scones and tray bakes available, as well as a host of new brands like Bothamâs of Whitby and Pattesonâs.
Sweet treats will be prominent with well-known brands like Bonbons, Lindt and Tonyâs Chocolonely.
The new food hall will have its own greengrocer and deli counter, with everything to make the perfect cheeseboard or party platter, with a new range of chilled products including cheese, deli meats, olives and dips. To accompany this, there will also be a wide selection of biscuits for cheese, sharing bags of crisps and snacks, nuts and dried fruits. The pantry section will also host foods from around the world.
There will also be premium frozen food ranges, with brands including Cook, FieldGoods and award-winning Supper Club, and ice cream from Judeâs.
The ranges of gift foods will increase with a broader selection of alcohol and premium soft drinks. Everything from gin gift packs to all-natural handmade beverages from Hullabaloo.
The new foodhall at Dobbies Edinburgh is open from Thursday 19 February. For more information visit dobbies.com.
