What's On Scotland 4-11 Dec: Beauty and the Beast & more

There’s something so delightfully nostalgic about festive theatre: every panto, fairy tale retelling or cosy Dickensian play feels pulled right from your childhood. The Citz’ new adaptation is no exception, bringing the tale of Beauty and the Beast to magical life and marking a triumphant return for their annual Christmas show.

Running from 2-31 December, including matinee performances, this adaptation by theatre veteran Lewis Hetherington – who previously adapted Little Red Riding Hood – gives the classic tale a festive twist, with live music and magic aplenty. Book your tickets here before they go.

Morning Factory: Ravelston + St Sunday
People’s Leisure Club, Edinburgh, 5 Dec, 11pm
Two of EHFM’s best – Tuesday’s morning show host St Sunday and Friday’s morning show host Ravelston – are pivoting to the nighttime to launch a new club night, dedicated to all things house (deep house! progressive house! probably other forms of house!).

William E Jones: It Only Looks As If It Hurts
The Modern Institute, Glasgow. Until 14 Jan
Previously having worked in moving image and filmmaking, artist William E. Jones pivoted to painting, taking 16mm advertising films from the 1960s and scratching and hand painting them over to explore the materiality of commercial products. Image: Patrick Jameson.

Winter Arts Market
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh. 5-7 Dec
One of our absolute favourite Christmas markets, the Winter Arts Market at Out of the Blue is filled with artists selling unique prints, objects and gifts perfect for getting ahead with your Christmas shopping. There's an evening market on the Friday and daytime ones through the weekend.

Mermaid Chunky
Mono, Glasgow. 4 Dec, 8pm
Inspired by folk, trance, and everything in between (and that’s a lot), Mermaid Chunky’s output is incredibly and perfectly weird, incorporating surrealist lyrics, playful, squelchy melodies, a tongue-in-cheek air and fun audiovisual elements perfect for live performance. Image: Simon Pizzey.

ADVERTISEMENT | First Footin’

First Footin’ returns to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, kicking off 2026 with a free, citywide trail of music, culture and connection. This year’s programme showcases rising Scottish talent alongside scene stalwarts, from electro-trad innovators Valtos collaborating with Basque artists Maren, Mikel Urdangarin and Olaia Inziarte at Greyfriars Kirk, to family ceilidhs at Portobello Town Hall, a daytime rave set amid world-class art at Fruitmarket and so much more. A chance to start the year as you mean to go on.

↪ Acolyte
People’s Leisure Club, Edinburgh. 6 Dec, 7pm
Experimental Edinburgh band Acolyte, made up of award-winning poet Iona Lee, Maranta star Gloria Black, percussionist Daniel Hill and bassist Ruairidh Morrison, are releasing their latest single Warm Days, with a live support set from DJ and producer Ravelston.

→ Seeking Mavis Beacon: Palestine Fundraiser
Leith Depot, Edinburgh. 7 Dec, 7:30pm
Part of Leith Kino, this screening of Seeking Mavis Beacon – a documentary investigating the Haitian-born cover model behind an old typing software – also doubles as a fundraiser for families in Palestine, with proceeds going directly to crowdfunders.

→ Queer Theory: Arrows of Desire
Nice 'n' Sleazy, Glasgow. 5 Dec, 7:30pm
It's the last Queer Theory of the year and they're putting on an extravaganza, with a cabaret featuring drag, art and weird performances by Craig Manson, Femme Castatrice and more, and a club night courtesy of Prince Peach and Sh'needza Woman.