What's On Scotland 8-15 Dec: Scottish Ballet's Cinders & more

The streets are frosty, it's getting dark at around 11am...winter is definitely setting in. Remember what's nice about this hellish time with a festive night at the theatre, with Scottish Ballet's lavish production of Cinderella – the appropriately adorably named Cinders!.

It's the age old story – girl meets boy at a party, some mice get involved. But in Scottish Ballet's subversive take on the classic, some nights the person getting swept off their feet – the titular Cinders – is a girl, and sometimes they're a boy. It's on the whole month at the Theatre Royal, from 9-31 December, so there's plenty of time to roll the dice and see which combo you get. And Edinburgh folk, never fear, it comes to Festival Theatre in January.

Christmas at GFT
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow. 8-24 Dec
Is there a more festive feeling than curling up in front of The Muppet’s Christmas Carol for the twelve millionth time? Take it to a whole new level this year with GFT’s Christmas programme, featuring a perfectly curated selection of films from the classic to the contemporary. Image: Amazon Studios.

Cold Turkey’s Festive Frolic
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 8 Dec, 7pm
A festive poetry feast for the senses (mainly the ears, but others may be involved), Cold Turkey features co-founders Michael Pedersen, Hollie McNish and musician Withered Hand, as well as Charlotte Church (yes, that one!) and writer, DJ and producer Gemma Cairney. Image: James Mulkeen.

Katy Smail: How the flowers rise, and open
Sierra Metro, Edinburgh. Until 22 Dec
Is the December rush getting to you? Rest your eyes at this solo exhibition by Scottish artist Katy Smail. How the flowers rise, and open is a love letter to the wildflower meadows of Scotland, as a space both for untampered nature and the nonhuman powers of the divine feminine. Image: Alex Smail.

RARE: Tibasko
Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh. 13 Dec, 11pm
Techno duo TIBASKO head to Sneaky's as part of their intimate Lady Godiva tour. Named by BBC Radio 1 as a Future Star back in 2021, the producer pair have since made good on the promise, playing a mesmerising blend of breaks, melodic techno, and trance. Image: Courtesy of artist.

ADVERTISEMENT | Transatlantic Sessions
Usher Hall, Edinburgh. 5 Feb, 7pm
Transatlantic Sessions returns for 2024 at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, exploring and celebrating the rich musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US. An annual focal point of Celtic Connections, the exclusive line-up combines guest singers and the celebrated house band, inviting them to interweave original material with age-old tunes and songs as they explore shared roots and find new common ground. ‘A phenomenal group of musicians...' The Arts Desk.

↪ The Big Moon
SWG3, Glasgow. 9 Dec, 7pm
Indie rock sensations and Mercury Prize nominees The Big Moon swing by Glasgow to round off the new year. Except big emotions, from the bittersweet to the joyous, and an infectious dance-heavy performance. Image: Pooneh Ghana.

→ AMPLIFI
The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. 13 Dec, 8pm
The final AMPLIFI of the year lines up three remarkable rising stars on the Scottish music scene. LAMAYA brings an experimental soul sound, Ziggy plays with melding R'n'B and reggae, and CH Unspoken lends the proceedings a pop vibe.

→ Hawkchild DIY: Evian Christ
Stereo, Glasgow. 8 Dec, 11pm
The founder of the legendary TranceParty, DJ and producer Evian Christ's work has seen him launch a career-long investigation into the enduring relevance of trance music in contemporary culture.