CHRISTMAS EVENTS

stocking fillers

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Arusa Qureshi dons her reindeer hat, slides headfi rst down your chimney and leaves the best of the festive treats under your cultural tree

GLASGOW EDINBURGH

What’s Christmas without a good old-fashioned lights switch-on, pantomime or market? Luckily, Glasgow’s got plenty of these and more to keep your festive spirit l owing in the run up to the big day. If you weren’t one of the lucky ones who bagged tickets to Glasgow’s Christmas Lights Switch-on (Sun 19 Nov) this year, fear not because there are lots of other family-friendly activities you can take advantage of. Join a sea of St Nicholases for the Santa Dash (Sun 10 Dec), which involves popping on your best red suit and beard and running a 5k for charity. The Style Mile Carnival (Sun 26 Nov) is back, with street performers, drummers, dancers and more leading a colourful procession from St Enoch Square to George Square.

Billed as Europe’s largest indoor funfair, the IRN-BRU Carnival (Thu 21 Dec–Sun 14 Jan) also makes its return to the SEC, while M&D’s Magical Wonderland (Sat 18 Nov–Sun 24 Dec) promises fun for all the family. All your Christmas shopping needs should be fuli lled at the Traditional Christmas Markets at St Enoch Square (Thu 9 Nov–Fri 22 Dec) and George Square (Sat 25 Nov–Fri 29 Dec) while Drygate’s Urban Market (Sun 3, 10, 17 Dec) offers something quite unique.

In theatre-land, Dominic Hill directs Cinderella (Tue 28 Nov–Sun 31 Dec) at the Citz, bringing out the dark themes of the Grimms’ fairytale in this family show. Elsewhere, panto star Johnny McKnight returns for the Tron’s hilarious Alice in Weegieland (Fri 1 Dec–Sun 7 Jan), while Gary: Tank Commander and The Dolls take the lead in Jack and the Beanstalk (Sat 16 Dec–Sun 7 Jan) at the SEC. The Harry Potter Concert Series (Sat 9 Dec) is making a pit- stop at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro, as is Elf the Musical (Tue 21–Sat 25 Nov), which you can catch at the King’s. For a drag extravaganza, look no further than Christmas Queens (Sat 16 Dec), with host Michelle Visage and stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Peppermint, Sharon Needles, Thorgy Thor, Ivy Winters and Ginger Minj taking over the O2 Academy for a night of music, sass and death drops.

52 THE LIST 1 Nov 2017–31 Jan 2018

The festive season in Edinburgh is all about Edinburgh’s Christmas (Fri 17 Nov–Sat 6 Jan) which brings a huge programme of events and attractions to the city centre every year. It all kicks off with the big Christmas lights switch-on event, Light Night (Sun 19 Nov), which is free and hosted by Forth One’s Arlene Stuart. But there’s also ice skating, markets, family shows and new attraction Edinburgh’s Giant Advent Calendar (Fri 1–Sun 24 Dec), which reveals a different glimpse of past Edinburgh winters each day throughout advent. Christmas at the Botanics (Fri 24 Nov–Sat 30 Dec) involves an outdoor trail of light, taking you along the garden’s paths as you enjoy the Choir of Trees, Crystal Lawn and more. The Christmas Charity Festival (Sat 2 & Sun 3 Dec) is also back with a Santa Parade through Stockbridge, a 5k and 10k run, tinsel walk and live entertainment. If you’re after bespoke and handmade Christmas gifts, head to the Summerhall Christmas Market (Sun 10 Dec), where you’ll i nd various makers and designers, guest food vendors and kids’ activities.

Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott are back for this year’s King’s panto Cinderella (Sat 2 Dec–Sun 21 Jan). The Lyceum’s got a new version of the classic anthology Arabian Nights (Sat 25 Nov– Sat 6 Jan) and there’s a MagicFest Christmas Special (Wed 27–Sat 30 Dec) at the Traverse featuring the likes of Kevin Quantum, David Blanco and Paul Dabek. Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Sat 9– Sat 30 Dec) has its run at the Festival Theatre before moving on to Glasgow, while Shrek the Musical (Tue 12 Dec–Sun 7 Jan) lands at the Playhouse. Plus, international sensation La Clique swings into town with La Clique Noel (Fri 17 Nov–Sat 6 Jan). If you’re after a festive knees-up, the Big Christmas Bash (Fri 15 Dec) at Leith Theatre is a good shout, as is Neu! Reekie!’s Xmas Snowblinder at Central Hall (Fri 15 Dec), while Cold Turkey (Fri 1 Dec) at Summerhall is a brand new night of music and poetry with Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit), Withered Hand, Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen.