I know. It’s November, but can it ever be too early to start planning Christmas outings? Because in our fair city, Christmas is very much starting in November. So let’s get some dates for the diary.
By Tracy Mukherjee
Top for Stepping into Christmas
The annual extravaganza that is the Christmas lights switch on at George Square happens on Sunday 17th November so if you weren’t lucky enough to get tickets to the actual event, at least the city centre will be glittering from then on in.
WinterFest returns on Saturday 23rd Nov, as George Square yet again becomes a winter wonderland with ice rink, fairground and street food a-plenty.
And don’t miss the Style Mile Christmas Carnival on Sunday 26th as Santa, Rudolph, dancing snowflakes and musical snowmen will parade with street artists along some of our most iconic streets.
Glasgow Loves Christmas
17th November – 5th January
Various venues
w:glasgowlife.org.uk/arts-music-and-culture/glasgow-loves-christmas
Top for Pantos
You are going to have to start in November to see the myriad of marvellous musicals and pantos in and around town this Christmas. Kicking things off mid-November is Aladdin at the Theatre Royal. Yip, the Broadway musical has come to town and if you have children, you will know every word of every song. Over at the Kings Theatre lands Peter Pan, another classic, retold by panto royalty Elaine C. Smith and Johnny Mac. At the Pavilion it’s Beauty and the Beastie, where River City meets Scots Squad! By the time we head over to the West End, are we panto-ed out? Oh no we’re not, as our local theatres throw their oversized panto hats in the ring.
Weans in the Wood(lands) sees Oran Mor echo with many a West End pun. 14s and over are welcome in case any rude words sneak into the woods!
And lastly, but by no means least(ly) Websters lay their golden egg in the form of Maw Goose. An all singing all dancing egg-stravaganza (their pun, not mine). A great family panto and beside the fabulous cocktail bar Secession too. It’s a win-win.
Planning on seeing all these pantos? You need to start in November…last year.
Aladdin
Wed 6th – Sat 30th Nov
Theatre Royal
282 Hope St
G2 3QA
w:atgtickets.com/shows/disneys-aladdin/theatre-royal-glasgow/
Peter Pan
Sat 23rd Nov – Sun 5th Jan
Kings Theatre
297 Bath St
G2 4JN
w:atgtickets.com/shows/peter-pan/kings-theatre-glasgow/
Beauty and the Beastie
Thurs 28th Nov- Sun 12th Jan
Pavilion Theatre
121 Renfield St
G2 3AX
w:trafalgartickets.com/pavilion-theatre-glasgow/en-GB/event/pantomime/beauty-and-the-beastie-tickets
Weans in the Wood(lands)
26th Nov – 5th Jan
Oran Mor
Byres Road
G12 8QX
w:oran-mor.co.uk/events/weans-in-the-woodlands/
Maw Goose
Fri 29th Nov – Tues 31st Dec
416 Great Western Rd
G4 9HZ
w:webstersglasgow.com/whats-on/event/maw-goose
Top for the Kids
Yes, we have the panto list, but some wee ones are going to find it hard to sit for that amount of time. As far as I am concerned, the best option for a really great show is at The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre. Throughout the year, the fabulous team and visiting artists at the theatre bring so much joy to young children. Even in November, the shows include classics such as The Three Billy Goats Gruff and Pinocchio. Running up to Christmas, there’s Lost Bear Goes to the North Pole by Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre, Aladdin by Theatre Presto as well as interactive puppet making workshops. With the shows running to just an hour and the workshops allowing the kids to be moving around, this is a good option for younger children.
Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre
Nov/Dec Programme
8-10 Balcarres Ave
G12 0QF
w:maskandpuppet.co.uk