What's On North 8-15 Dec: Xmas film screenings

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.

Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal

Whether it's the beginning-to-end schmaltz of Love Actually, Jude Law as Mr Napkinhead in The Holiday, the big-kid appeal of Elf, Brucey going all action man in Die Hard or the all-out shiteness of Jingle All the Way, there's no better way to get into the festive spirit than curling up with a Christmas film.

Building on last year's list of seven alternative Christmas movies, we've also picked out a further eight off-kilter favourites for the holiday season, though if you're looking to go more trad, check out what's being screened around the North this December.

And what about that Wes Anderson Christmas ad for H&M, eh? SWOON.

Christmassy cinema in Liverpool 

James Stewart classic It's a Wonderful Life gets the big screen treatment at the Phil (24 Dec) and FACT (18, 20 & 24 Dec), Woolton Picture House will be putting on Elf (18 Dec) and Love Actually (22 Dec), and The Palm House hosts a season of Christmas films (19-23 Dec).

Festive flicks in Leeds

Hyde Park Picture House starts with Christmas in Connecticut (14 Dec) before screening It's A Wonderful Life (19-26 Dec) and both The Snowman and its follow-up The Snowman and the Snowdog (24 Dec), while Everyman Cinema at Trinity will also be giving you Love Actually (22 Dec) and It's a Wonderful Life (24 Dec).

Merry movies in Manchester 

RAD Screenings are heading to Gorilla with a double bill of Gremlins and The Grinch (14 Dec), HOME launches its A Very 80s Christmas season (9-22 Dec), Victoria Baths becomes a pop-up cinema for Home Alone (9 Dec) and Elf (10 Dec), the Albert Hall throws an Elf Christmas House Party (17 Dec), while Pilot Light TV Festival hosts a Christmas Sitcom Special at Central Library (15 Dec).

The Skinny's Top 50 Albums of 2016

After a tumultuous 2016, The Skinny celebrates 50 of the year's very best records, including the latest outputs of everyone from Anna Meredith, Parquet Courts and Tacocat to Kanye West, Solange and, of course, the late David Bowie. But who's bagged that coveted number one spot? You'll just have to click here to find out.

Also this week:

Lightwaves
Salford Quays, Salford. Fri 9-Sun 18 Dec, times vary

Digital light festival Lightwaves returns for ten days of twinkling artworks from across the globe, including Heart Beart, a new large-scale commission by artists and installation specialists GNI Project, where visitors are invited to join hands to complete a 'circuit' that reveals a heart. Photo: Today I Love You - Massimo Uberti and Marco Pollice

Independent Liverpool Christmas Festival
Great Baltic Warehouse, Liverpool. Thu 8-Sun 11 Dec, times vary

Heroes of all things edible, drinkable and local, Independent Liverpool are throwing a Christmas festival with a little help from the likes of Free State Kitchen (pictured), Bakchich, Cheese & Co., Little Furnace, Finca, Koop and others, along with DJs, carol singers, gift stalls, a Bailey's bar and even mulled wine brownies (!) from Laura's Little Bakery.

Advertisement | Northern Monk Refectory, Leeds
Beer, Small Plates and Sunday Roasts

Northern Monk Refectory is housed in an old grain store in the industrial heart of Leeds. The taproom has 18 draught lines pouring Northern Monk beers brewed on site, as well as the finest guest beers from the UK and beyond. They also serve up a variety of wines, spirits, coffees and soft drinks, while the kitchen provides a selection of small plates, steaks and healthy options throughout the week, and meat and vegan Sunday roasts.

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Enchantment Under the Sea Disco
HOME, Manchester. Fri 9 Dec, 8pm

As part of HOME's Christmas film season, they'll be throwing a free Back to the Future-inspired disco, where Vintage 78 DJs will play music from the 50s on gramophones before the party flips (at 10.04pm) to hits from the 80s courtesy of Pop Curious? DJ Christopher Dresden Styles. You can also catch the film beforehand, with screenings at 6pm or 6.15pm.

The Human Rights Show Auction
The Brunswick, Leeds. Sat 10 Dec, 3.30pm

To coincide with Human Rights Day, an exhibition of limited edition postcard-sized artworks by 28 artists and educators from Catalonia, Germany, Malta and the UK will be put up for auction to raise money for Amnesty International. The pieces are on display in the Brunswick's top floor gallery until Fri 16 Dec. Image: Txelo

Christmas markets and pop-ups in the North

Get your local on this Christmas with our guide to festive markets and pop-ups in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, including Buyers Club's Christmas Night Market and the OddBod Art Markets in Manchester.

Celebrate Christmas with Topman

Topman have teamed up with The Skinny to offer one lucky reader the chance to win £100 of shopping vouchers (enter here) and organised a series of extra-special events to allow you to get the most out of the Christmas shopping trip.

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Read more news from across the Northwest cultural scene at theskinny.co.uk/news
Find out how you could win some lovely prizes at theskinny.co.uk/competitions

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