Around Town Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to sport@list.co.uk for sport or aroundtown@list.co.uk for all other events. Listings compiled by Kirstin Innes. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry

Glasgow Activities & Events Glasgow on Ice until Sun 11 Jan, George Square, 10am–10pm. £6–£8.50 (£2–£6; family ticket £22.50). See preview, page 35 Alien Wars Until Tue 31 Mar, The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Noon–10pm. £10 (£8; 5 for under 16s). Terrifying total reality experience Alien Wars returns to its spiritual home at The Arches. The experience originally opened as Alien War in 1992 and was held in the street level area of the venue. Now updated for 2008 as Alien Wars, the drama moves into the creepy bowels of the venue for an utterly bone-shaking fright. FREE The Big Stage until Sun 11 Jan, George Square, Times vary. Daily free entertainment to keep you lingering in George Square despite the cold. There are showcases on Mondays and Tuesdays (5–7pm), tea dances on Tuesdays (1–3pm), festive films on Wednesdays (6–8pm), a party with Real Radio on Fridays (6–9.30pm) and jazz Saturdays (5–7pm). Marvellous Meteors! No Children Required Fri 12 Dec, Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. 7.30–9.30pm. £1.50. A Ranger-led event where interested adults can search the December skies for meteors and constellations. Booking essential. Santa Dash Sun 14 Dec, George Square, 9am. £15 to enter (£5). 5K Fun Run for charity with Santa suits supplied with registration. Register at www.glasgow.gov.uk/santadash.

✽✽ Pecha Kucha Wed 17 Dec,The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000.

7pm. £10. See Hitlist. Irn Bru Carnival Fri 19 Dec–Sun 11 Jan (not open Christmas Day) SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. 6–10pm. £10. From the traditional whirl of the Waltzers and the crash of the Dodgems to the all-new Spinning Coaster and four- storey Funhouse, there’s a ride for every occasion at this year’s Carnival. Glasgow’s Hogmanay Wed 31 Dec, George Square, 08444 777700. 9pm–1.30am. £15. See feature, page 13.

Exhibitions FREE Anne Frank: A History for Today Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, 287 2999. Until Thu 8 Jan (not Sun). 3–8pm; 5–8pm; 9am–5pm. An exhibition to commemorate the best-remembered teenage diarist. Oh Yes it Is Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Until Sun 18 Jan. Mon–Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; 10am–1pm (Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Thu 1 & Fri 2 Jan. Open until 1am on Hogmanay). See preview, page 35

Fairs ✽✽ FREE Narrative Until Sat 20 Dec, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352

4900. 11am–7pm. See Hitlist. Glasgow Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Fair Sat 13 Dec, Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Noon. £1 (children free). Scotland’s first craft fair devoted to promoting alternative and burlesque-friendly crafters.

Food & Drink FREE Mansfield Park Farmers’ Market Sat 13 Dec, Dowanhill Primary School, Havelock Street, Partick, 9am–3pm. 40+ stalls bursting with everything from happy bacon and spuds with t’mud on ‘em to Greek delicacies and face painting. Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market Sat 20 Jan, Queen’s Park, 520 Langside Park, 287 36 THE LIST 11 Dec 2008–8 Jan 2009

7273. 9am–2pm. Local produce, from local people Workshops FREE Moving Image Education: A Practical Workshop with Tim Flood Fri 12 Dec, The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, 221 6362. 10.30am. What does it mean to be literate in the 21st Century? Moving Image Education addresses this question. It’s a Wrap Sat 13 Dec, The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, 221 6362. Noon–1.30pm & 2–3.30pm. £5. Learn to print your own wrapping paper and gift tags. Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Sun 14 Dec, The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. 4–7pm. £7 (£5). Expect slinky sexy Santa suits slipping off shoulders at the burlesque life drawing classes

Edinburgh Activities & Events Winter Wonderland Ice Rink until Sun 4 Jan, East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, 10am–10pm. £5–£9. See preview, page 35 Teannaich Fri 12 Dec, Pollock Halls, Holyrood Park Road, 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Dance to a funky Ceilidh band with mandolin mischief. FREE Twilight Activity Day Sat 13 Dec, Waterstone’s, Unit 16, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, 6 Lady Road, 666 1866. 11am–5pm. See picture, below. Bruncheon! Featuring The Sound of Muesli Sat 13 Dec, Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. 11.30am. Brunch and live music featuring Vroni and the Raving Roosters and other local talent tbc, plus your choice of breakfast whether it be traditional or continental. Edinburgh’s Christmas Santa Stroll Sun 14 Dec, Edinburgh City Centre, 2.30pm. £10 (£5). See preview, page 35. To get involved, call 0844 481 1221. FREE Christmas Choral Concert Sun 14 Dec, National Museum of Scotland: Hawthornden Court, 2 Chambers Street,

247 4422. 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm & 3.45pm. See preview, page 35

✽✽ Big Clothes Swap-O-Rama Sun 14 Dec, Out Of The Blue Drill Hall,

30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. 2pm. £5. See Hitlist. Carol Ceilidh Sun 14 Dec, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place, 225 1900. 6pm. By donation. Get into the festive spirit with an evening of singing, dancing, readings, music, laughter and refreshments with The Greyfriars Ceilidh Band.

✽✽ FREE The Golden Hour Wed 17 Dec, Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place,

220 4538. 8pm. See Hitlist. Barnardos Scotland Christmas Quiz Thu 18 Dec, Cargo Bar, 129 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh Quay, 659 7880. 7pm. £5. Charity, Christmassyness and general knowledge, all in the one handy bundle. FREE Christmas & New Year Carnival Fri 19 Dec–Sun 11 Jan, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6210. 1–9pm (all rides £1). See preview, page 35 Ceilidh Dance Sat 20 Dec, St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, 346 1405. 7.30pm–midnight. £tbc. Lively friendly ceilidh open to all. Festive Fright Fest Fri 26 Dec–Sun 4 Jan, meet outside St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile, 225 9044. 7.30pm, 8.30pm & 9.30pm. £8.50 (£5–£6.50). See preview, page 35 FREE Hogmanay Ceilidh Wed 31 Dec, National Museum of Scotland: Hawthornden Court, 2 Chambers Street, 247 4422. 2pm. See feature, page 13. Sunday Brunch Club New Year Ceilidh Wed 31 Dec, Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square, 229 9131. 8.30pm–1am. £52 (£47 before 24 Dec). Da Hooley Ceilidh Band provide the live music, haggis neeps and tatties are included in the ticket price and there’s a view of the fireworks at midnight. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party Wed 31 Dec, City Centre, 473 2000. 9pm. £10. See feature, page 13.

Ladies and the vamp The Twilight books, we are reliably informed by sources close to the material,

are not just for teenage girls. As the first installment of a film franchise starring undead fop Cedric Diggory hits screens across the UK, commune with your fellow, eh, 'Twi-fans' with a day-long programme of vampy activity at Waterstones, Or just, you know, eat some garlic. Edinburgh, Waterstones Cameron Toll, Sat 13 Dec

www.list.co.uk/aroundtown

Exhibitions FREE Gifted National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 247 4422. Until Sun 11 Jan. 10am–5pm. Pick up original, handmade Christmas present by Excellent Scottish crafters and designers. FREE Jean Muir: A Fashion Icon National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 247 4422. Until Sun 15 Mar. 10am–5pm. Over 18,000 items by one of the 20th Century’s most influential designers. FREE Zig Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3845. Until Fri 26 Dec & Until Fri 2 Jan. 10am–8pm. A preview of the Robert Burns national touring exhibition to be launched in January for the 250th anniversary of Burns’s birth.

Food & Drink FREE Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Saturdays, Castle Terrace, 652 5940. 9am–2pm. More local, quality, ethical produce than you could shake a stick at. FREE Eating Place Thu 18 Dec, Castle Street, Noon–6pm. A selection of the best food and drink produce from around the UK. Sport The Great Capital Skate Tue 30 Dec, Murrayfield Ice Rink, Riversdale Crescent, 337 6933. 10am–2pm & 6pm. £12 (£7). Participatory ice hockey sessions and open skating followed by professional ice hockey game between Edinburgh Capitals and Basingstoke Bison in the evening. Tickets include skating, the match and skate hire.

Talks Scottish Christmas Traditions Fri 12 Dec, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. 10.30am. £8. See preview, page 35 De Sica: Reality as Spectacle Sun 21 Dec, Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, 228 2688. 5.30–6.30pm. £4 (£2.50). Pasquale Iannone of the University of Edinburgh examines the career of actor-director De Sica. FREE Philosophers’ Islands Mon 5 Jan, National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, 624 6200. 12.45–1.15pm. Philosopher Robin Mackay explores the significance of Charles Avery’s imaginary island on contemporary conditions of philosophical thought.

Workshops Christmas Razzmatazz Thu 11 Dec, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. 10.30am–3.30pm. £15. See preview, page 35 Christmas Craft Open Nights Fri 12 Dec, Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road, 466 0148. 5.30–9.30pm. £tbc. Add sparkles to your Christmas presents and decorations and fizz to your glass at this workshop with a free glass of champers. FREE Natural Christmas Decoration Workshop Sun 14 Dec, Hermitage Of Braid Visitor Centre, 69 Braid Road, 447 7145. Noon–3pm. Start the festive season with the Countryside Ranger and learn how to use natural material to make a stunning Christmas decoration to take home at this drop-in session. Ages 8+; under 16s must be accompanied. Festive Fun Wed 17 Dec, Doodles Ceramic Workshop, 29 Marchmont Crescent, 229 1399. 6.30pm. From £2. Paint pottery to give as gifts or decorate your house. With complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. Wintersong 2 Workshop Sat 20 Dec, Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, 623 8911. 10am–4pm. £20–£50 (inc lunch). Learn seasonal song with voice coach Wendy Carle Taylor. FREE Fly Right Dance Company Sun 28 Dec, National Museum of Scotland: Hawthornden Court, 2 Chambers Street, 247 4422. 12.45pm, 1.45pm & 2.45pm. Put your best foot forward and step back in time with the swing dance specialists.