What's On North 24 Nov-1 Dec: Alt Xmas Markets

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.

Christmas Markets

We've held on to our sanity as long as we could, but we can't hold out any longer. It's (still a month to) Christmaaaaaaaas!!!

Down at Islington Mill it is, at least. Carbooty and One to One team up with the venue for the annual Christmas at the Mill festivities (30 Nov-1 Dec), which see residents of the Salfordian cultural institution sprawl out from their studios to host stall upon stall of original prints, art works, clothing, bags, ceramics, jewellery and more, all tied together by good food, drink and performance throughout the weekend.

It's also Christmas galore at The Hepworth Wakefield Christmas Markets this weekend (26-27 Nov), with a handpicked selection of some of the UK’s most exciting designers, printers and makers offering up Christmas gifts from ceramics to unique prints, handmade crafts, homeware and much more. Photo: Mark Waugh

Vote in The Skinny's Food and Drink Survey

Indulge in the one bastion of democracy that never fails to raise a smile. No, not Eurovision, but The Skinny Food and Drink Survey! You have until 27 Nov. Go, go, go! Illustration: Mike Hughes

25 Years of Back to Basics

Some of the world's biggest DJs share their memories of Leeds club Back to Basics, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with the opening of a brand new venue and music academy, Church.

Do Not Miss:

WinterFest
Leeds Town Hall. Sun 27 Nov, 11am

Phat vegan party WinterFest fires up the ethical vibes with over 150 stalls peddling hot food, cakes, cheese, make-up and clothes, along with talks on animal rights, health and fitness throughout the day. All that plus a generous sprinkling of cookery demos and live music to complete the animal-friendly package. Illustration: Lucy Letherland

Kazoopa Festival
Various venues, Leeds. Sat 26 Nov, 12pm

Brand new inner-city, multi-venue, DIY-loving festival Kazoopa will be roping in more than 50 bands for a day of live gigging fun, with sets from Young Kato (pictured), Lisbon, The Wholls, The Tapestry, Jack Jones, The Repeat Offenders, Liberty Ship, Paves and many more. Photo: Rita Azevedo

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£40 voucher & free bottle of wine! Ends 30 Nov

Thaikhun is the perfect setting for fabulous and vibrant celebrations, big and small. Nothing is more important in Thailand than ‘sanook’ (to have fun). Celebrate this Christmas with friends, family or colleagues and we’ll ensure it’s ‘sanook’ to the max.

Book before 30 November for a party of 6 or more and get a £40 voucher for January and a free bottle of wine! What more could you want!

Shaft + Norman Jay DJ set
Gorilla, Manchester. Wed 30 Nov, 7.30pm

Who's the cat that won't cop out, when there's danger all about? That’s right, John Shaft! This film and club night is presented by DJ Norman Jay, who’ll be chatting with Dave Haslam about the film after the screening and spinning some funky Blaxploitation soundtracks. Can you dig it?

Radical Space is the Place
Texture, Manchester. Sat 26 Nov, 7pm

How can nightlife be truly radical? That's one of the questions Dave Haslam will be putting to this panel discussing Manchester's nightlife culture in the context of austerity and growing gentrification. The event is followed by some radical nightlife in action, with a club night featuring house and techno from Meat Free, Arthouse and Elevator DJs at the Old Abbey Taphouse.

Deathly Records launch
24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool. Fri 25 Nov, 7pm

New bespoke indie label Deathly Records finds its feet with a launch do coinciding with the debut single from Liverpudlian anthemic rock quartet Lilium (pictured). They'll be joined by experimental psych duo OVVLS, plus fellow locals Etches and God on My Right. Photo: Lisa Stirling

Ghosts
HOME, Manchester. Until Sat 3 Dec, various times

This blistering attack on 19th-century morality from Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen was controversial back in 1881, but now it’s considered one of the greatest works in European drama. See what all the fuss is about when David Watson’s new version (directed by Polly Findlay) opens this week, with Niamh Cusack in the central role of a woman trying to exorcise the ghosts of her past. Photo: Jonathan Keenan