What's On North 1-8 Dec: Wintry events
With the arrival December things are starting to feel decidedly more festive, bolstered this week by the Winter Arts Market at Liverpool Cathedral, the Frost Fair at Manchester's Whitworth and The Hedonist Project's ski-themed Winter Mountain Lodge.
Each week The Skinny team hand-pick a selection of the best events from the North's cultural calendar to provide you with this 'ere top ten guide to the most exciting goings-on for the week ahead. From gigs, plays and exhibitions to spoken word, pop-up foodie events and one-off film screenings, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds every Thursday morning.
Winter is coming...
So despite what these frosty mornings might be suggesting, winter doesn't actually start for another 20 days. But trying to get the festive feels on against an autumnal backdrop doesn't quite have the same effect, so for the sake of optimising the pre-Christmas period, for now we'll just go back to policing grammar and arguing about how 'scone' should be pronounced.
You'll be able to blow your wintry load nice and early this weekend with the Winter Arts Market in Liverpool Cathedral or the Ice Festival at Pier Head, as well as the Scandi-themed Frost Fair down at the Whitworth in Manchester and The Winter Gathering in London Road Fire Station. Or if you're in Leeds, why not take the opportunity to check out The Hedonist Project's snowy new bar, the Winter Mountain Lodge? Also worth keeping those eyes locked on theskinny.co.uk for some incoming tips on boozy winter warmers.
Happy frolicking! Even though it's not actually winter yet, remember.
Christmas markets and pop-ups in the North
Get yr local on this Christmas with our guide to festive markets and pop-ups in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, including Christmas at the Mill and Etsy Made Local fairs.
Frank Ocean, Solange and The xx to headline Primavera 2017
Over 200 acts have been announced to play next year's Primavera festival, which takes place 31 May-4 June. Find out more here, then go get yourself a ticket! Christmas pressy for you.
5 More Great Things to Do This Week
Group Therapy Christmas Specials
Headrow House, Leeds. Fri 2 Dec, 7pm
Gorilla, Manchester. Sat 3 Dec, 7pm
It's been a grim ol' year, to be sure, but this week you can put the fate of your happiness in the reliable hands of Group Therapy, the North's favourite remedial comedy night set to soothe your woes with Pat Cahill (pictured), John Kearns and host John Robertson. Photo: Ed Moore
Constellations Winter Live Series
Constellations, Liverpool. Thu 1 Dec, 6pm
The folk at Constellations have been busy gearing the gaff up for the winter and beyond, and this week they'll be unveiling the changes while also launching a new monthly series of live music, kicking off with South London's jazz/hip-hop collective Sumochief, rising star Poppy Ajudha and Melodic Distraction DJs.
Advertisement | Manchester Christmas Markets
City centre, Manchester. Until Tue 20 Dec
There’s something for everyone this Christmas with a wide selection of shopping available from the boutique and independent shops of the Northern Quarter, to the high end luxury shops of Spinningfields and Exchange Square. And don’t forget the Manchester Christmas Markets, with over 300 stalls, all open from 10 November until 20 December, boasting a huge array of food, drink and gift ideas. Manchester is the Capital of Christmas!
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Friends of Ham's All the Trimmings Pop-Up
Ham & Friends, Leeds. Thu 1-Sat 24 Dec, times vary
Award-winning charcuterie bar Friends of Ham will soon launch their new concept, Ham & Friends, but in the meantime you can get a taste of what's to come with this special Christmas pop-up shop, which will not only serve as a kitchen, wine bar, food hall, wine shop and deli, but also an events space for macrame and wreath-making workshops, live jazz and more.
Division of Labour
Rogue Artists' Studios, Manchester. Thu 1-Sat 10 Dec, times vary
Concluding Rogue's 2016 artistic programme, Division of Labour draws on Manchester's relationship with industry through newly commissioned works by Robin Megannity, Jenny Steele, Jenny Walker and Helen Wheeler, who explore the purpose and place of production in the city, and the commercial landscape that threatens it.
Horse Meat Disco
HiFi, Leeds. Fri 2 Dec, 11pm
Party season's officially in full swing, so ditch the Christmas do and opt instead for a night with four-man disco machine Horse Meat Disco. Expect a mixed bag of everything from cosmic disco to house and techno for an eclectic night of good-spirited fun.
Cya l8r 2016
As is de rigueur at this time of year, we've been busy taking a look back on the rollercoaster that has been 2016. At times very shit, yes, but that's not to say it's all been doom and gloom. Our Music team have been busy sifting through this year's output to compile the best releases of the year, while the Film crew have picked out their favourite films – and their sorely underrated counterparts. See, it's not been *totally* crap.
Read more news from across the Northwest cultural scene at theskinny.co.uk/news
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