What's On Scotland 30 Nov-7 Dec: Christmas Markets

It's nearly Christmas and you better be-wreath it, so avoid the Christmas Eve Blitzkrieg by hitting up one of the many Christmas markets on this weekend to do some present shopping. Plus, Book Yer Ane Fest XI, Greek Film Festival, baby boy and more...

Feature by Nadia Younes | 30 Nov 2017

It's officially December tomorrow, which means Christmas is coming, and fast. With the annual present, turkey and dysfunctional family gathering fest approaching, seemingly at a lightning pace, Christmas market season is now in full swing, and there are plenty to choose from.

Edinburgh’s very own art park, Jupiter Artland, opens its doors for a second bite from the Christmas fair cookie, with promises of a snowy, wintery spectacle (snow presumably pre-ordered), artisanal gift stalls, homemade mulled wine, wreath making demonstrations, craft activities and seasonal food and drink. Or head out of the city for your very own stately home experience with the Hopetoun House Christmas Fair, featuring over 60 exhibitors and the promise of ‘high end and unique gifts’.

Over in Glasgow, Many Studios' monthly Ross Street Market brings together some of the city's finest artists, designers, makers and street food purveyors in the historic surrounds of the Barras. Pick up some artisanally roasted coffee, or a made-to-measure dog jacket, or even take part in a mindfulness drawing workshop. Back for its third year, the Etsy Made Local Christmas fair also takes place this weekend, with a line-up of of 65 of Glasgow’s finest designers and makers on each day, featuring Skinny favourites including Risotto (srsly check out their new range of week planners) and Polymorphics’ geometric wooden objects. Image: Peter Dibdin Photographer



Songhoy Blues
Òran Mór, Glasgow. 3 Dec, 7pm
Malian powerhouse Songhoy Blues have some pretty big name fans, including Damon Albarn and Julian Casablancas, and their latest album Résistance featured none other than Iggy Pop, who lent his grizzly chops to one of its tracks, Sahara. Seeing Songhoy Blues live is one of the happiest things you can hope for, so get your festive cheer underway early by paying them a visit tonight at Òran Mór. Image: Stuart Moulding



Kobi Onyame
Poetry Club, Glasgow. 3 Dec, 7pm
For over ten years, Glasgow-based musician Kobi Onyame has been gradually making a name for himself (under numerous different guises) as one of the most promising hip-hop acts in Scotland. But for his 2017 album GOLD, he returned to his roots fusing rap, grime, and R’n’B with his Ghanaian heritage. Headlining SWG3’s Poetry Club will be the perfect cherry on top of a successful year. Image: Ryan Johnston



Book Yer Ane Fest XI
Various venues, Dundee. 1-3 Dec
Make That A Take Records are celebrating DIY punk music and culture across three venues in the heart of Dundee this weekend – Abertay Student Centre, Conroy’s Basement and Deacon Brodie’s. Over 60 acts will play the three-day event, including Lou Mclean, Tongue Trap and The Spook School, and they'll also be hosting stalls, including Radical Rebel DIY, Safe Gigs for Women, Umlaut Records and Vegan Action North East. It’s all for charity as well, so there's no excuse not to go. Image: Sarah Donley



NEHH presents... Cold Turkey
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 1 Dec, 8pm
Little is known as to what Cold Turkey actually is, but what we do know is it's a collaboration between some pretty great people, so that's a good start. Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, Withered Hand – aka Edinburgh DIY folk-rock troubadour Dan Willson – poet/playwright Hollie McNish and Neu! Reekie! co-founder Michael Pedersen debut their new project, which may or may not evolve into an international touring show and may or may not involve a Q&A session. Mysterious, eh? Image: Kat Gollock

ADVERTISEMENT | HonestBrew
Gift delicious craft beer this Christmas from HonestBrew – from the ultimate Secret Santa solution to mega mixed cases packed with delicious brews – from the likes of Beavertown, Cloudwater, Magic Rock and Northern Monk. Head over to the online shop where you can pick ’n’ mix your own selection of beers, grab a gift or get your hands on one of the curated mixed cases. To get 20% off your first order online use the code SKINNY20 at honestbrew.co.uk. View full Terms and Conditions here.



Greek Film Festival
Filmhouse, Edinburgh. 1-6 Dec
The Greek Film Festival returns for another year, with a line-up of films about recovery and resistance. We recommend multiple award-winning documentary Beneath the Olive Tree, which screens on Monday night and will be followed by a Skype Q&A with narrator Olympia Dukakis and director Stavroula Toska. The documentary centres on the secret diaries of Greek women imprisoned during the World War II Resistance, following them as they revisit their old prisons and detail their experiences.



baby boy
Transmission, Glasgow. Until 16 Dec
Transmission's Black Radical Imagination-curated exhibition baby boy takes the John Singleton film of the same name, along with Barry Jenkins' Moonlight as 'cinematic book-ends' for a body of work which unites what is considered two golden ages in black cinema to investigate black malehood and queer inclusivity. The exhibition features works by Brandon Coley Cox in collaboration with Aaron Fowler, Christopher Harris, Daniel T. Gaitor-Lomack, Finas Townsend III and Jamilah Sabur.

Under One Roof
Hasties Close, Edinburgh. 30 Nov, 10.30pm
In true Scottish fashion, what do we do to celebrate our patron saint? We get absolutely reeking of course, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Luckily, Nightvision have provided you with multiple locations for your excessive St Andrew's Day bevvying, taking over both The Mash House and La Belle Angele with DJs from pretty much every Edinburgh club night dropping in for a set. Fingers crossed for another bright T-shirt outing from headliner Ross from Friends (no, not Schwimmer sadly). Image: Martyna Maz



The Cribs
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow. 3-6 Dec, 8.30pm
Indie royalty The Cribs take over Glasgow's legendary King Tut's this week, playing a four-night residency to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their famed Cribsmas shows, with support coming from locals Paws and CHUMP. The Jarman brothers released their seventh album 24-7 Rock Star Shit earlier this year and typical rockstar antics are to be expected at their live shows (shouting, fighting, smashing guitars and the like). Image: Luke Winter


Grab a copy of the December 2017 edition of The Skinny at venues across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee now, and check out our writers' Albums of 2017 and Films of 2017 lists

http://theskinny.co.uk/whats-on