12 Days of Christmas

The holidays are coming, and if the thought of spending time tucked up with your nearest and dearest fi lls you with dread, here’s our pick of things to do in Edinburgh, Glasgow and further afi eld this December

1 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Not feeling it this year? The RSNO and Children’s Classic Concerts have got your back. They’re joined by the RSNO Junior Chorus and Manor School of Ballet in a completely irresistible Christmas treat that’s sure to melt even the grinchiest of hearts.

• Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Sunday 4 December; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Saturday 10 December.

2 THE CURE

Robert Smith and co haven’t toured since pre C-word times, and this big arena gig is set to be an epic night. Eschew the Christmas spirit with a firm hand, revel in the bah humbug and celebrate your inner grumpy goth. The Twilight Sad support.

• OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Sunday 4 December.

3 CHRISTMAS AT THE BOTANICS

With over a million twinkling lights, this after-dark trail through Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is full of wonder, illumination and colour. Street food vendors are on hand for suitably festive warmers at a visually stunning event that feels a million miles away from gaudy Christmas commercialisation.

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Thursday 17 November–Friday 30 December.

4 A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Chapterhouse Theatre Company bring their family-friendly production of Dickens’ classic Christmas tale to the atmospheric surrounds of Stirling Castle’s Great Hall, with period costume, song, dance and an original score. Can the ghosts of Christmas melt Ebeneezer Scrooge’s cold, hard heart? Of course they can.

• Stirling Castle, Friday 16–Sunday 18 December.

5 PAOLO NUTINI

There are homecomings and then there are homecomings. Cresting the wave of his huge new album Last Night In The Bittersweet, local hero Paolo Nutini sells out a five-night run at the Hydro. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket, because this one’s going to be triumphant.

• OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Friday 16, Sunday 18 & Tuesday 20 December.

6 EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL

Explore a world of wonder, imagination and illusion, with a feast of world-class talent presenting a host of shows and workshops. From intimate performances in the Storytelling Centre to Kevin Quantum’s high-octane Christmas Special, there’s something for every age and stage.

• Various venues, Edinburgh, Saturday 17–Saturday 31 December.

7 HOOLIE IN THE HYDRO

Billed as the biggest night of Scottish traditional music ever, the Hydro will play host to an almost unimaginably huge ceilidh. Dougie Maclean, Mànran, the Sharon Shannon Band, Skerryvore and Trail West are all set to appear.

• OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Saturday 17 December.

8 IDLEWILD

It’s been 20 years since Idlewild’s The Remote Part album was released to critical and commercial acclaim. To celebrate, the band will play the album in its entirety to their devoted fans at this gig, which marks the end of a minitour and festival run.

• O2 Academy Glasgow, Wednesday 21 December.

9 THE SNOW QUEEN

Scottish Ballet’s glittering take on this winter tale (the inspiration for a certain Frozen) is a sumptuous delight. Rimsky-Korsakov’s score will be performed by the full Scottish Ballet orchestra in a feast for all the senses.

• Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Saturday 19 November–Saturday 10 December; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wednesday 14 December–Sunday 8 January.

10 THE IRN-BRU CARNIVAL

All the fun of the fair for all the fun of the family; it’s mostly indoors too, which means that, whatever the Scottish winter throws at us, you can still hang out and have a great time. Fly high across the city, or pop the wee ones into soft play to burn off some energy

• SEC, Glasgow, Friday 23 December–Sunday 15 January.

11 AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

It’s well over a decade since the first Avatarfilm was released with its then ground-breaking special effects. That’s a lifetime in movie terms, so it’s safe to say expectations are high for the sequel to James Cameron’s passion project (fingers crossed he’s spent more time on the story this time).

• General release from Friday 16 December.

12 EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS

The Christmas Wheel, Traditional Market, Ice Rink and Santaland are all set to return to the city centre this year, as well as an all-new Santa Experience and a full festival of free events and activities centred around the Ross Bandstand.

• Various venues, Edinburgh, Friday 25 November–Tuesday 3 January.