Arcadia Scotland

Art and Culture

Turner Prize 2015:  Tramway, Throughout December
The Turner Prize is the biggest award in British art, with £25,000 going to the winner and £5,000 to the nominees, and the most controversial. Its championship of conceptual rigour over traditionalism has tended to whip the tabloids into a froth, but a list of Turner nominees contains many of the most memorable names from the last thirty years of British art: Howard Hodgkin, Gilbert & George, Tony Cragg, Rachel Whiteread, Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Douglas Gordon, Gillian Wearing, Martin Creed, Susan Philipsz, Steve McQueen, Grayson Perry and Jeremy Deller – and those are just some of the winners.

The Art of Billy Connolly: Throughout December, People's Palace & Winter Gardens
Drawings and sketches made by the Big Yin over the years, as well as items from the collection, such as the famous banana boots and a guitar made from a White Horse whisky box.

Ballet of the Palette: Throughout December, Gallery of Modern Art
Twentieth-century paintings from the gallery collection, selected by contemporary artists Neil Clements, Lotte Gertz, Charlie Hammond, Louise Hopkins, Merlin James, Victoria Morton, Carol Rhodes, Tony Swain, Hanneline Visnes and George Ziffo.

A Century of Style: Costume and Colour 1800-1899: Throughout December, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
A look at the glory and diversity of 19th century clothing, with examples from leading Glasgow department stores and dressmakers and a beaded couture dress from Paris. This was the period when industrial dyes and the sewing machine were invented and perfected, leading to an explosion in mass-produced garments.

Music, Comedy and Dance

Manran: 5 December, Barrowland, 7pm
Original songs in Gaelic and English with a driving backbeat from Mànran.

The RSNO Christmas Concert: The Snowman: 19 December, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 and 7pm
A family-friendly concert of carols and seasonal tunes, including the now annual screening of the 1982 film The Snowman, with live musical accompaniment.

Dunedin Concert: Handel's Messiah: 21 December, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
The Dunedin Consort's rendering of Handel's landmark oratorio has received rave reviews over the years, and the consort's 2006 recording of it won a Gramophone award. Here the ensemble gives its annual performance of the work, led by director John Butt.

Hogmanay Hootenanny: 31 December, National Piping Centre, 6:30pm
Hogmanay party with live music, a ceilidh and piping.

Phil Cunningham's Christmas Songbook: 22 December, City Halls, 7:30pm
One of the masters of Scottish contemporary folk is joined by a selection of special guests (including Eddi Reader, Karen Mathieson, John McCusker, Kris Drever and Ian Carr) for a showcase of modern and traditional Christmas music.

Christmas Carol Singalong: 23 December, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 3pm
The London Concert Chorus and Orchestra present a concert of favourite carols and Christmas hits from O Little Town Of Bethlehem to I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals

Glasgow Christmas Market: Throughout December, St Enoch Square
Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Christmas market with German bratwurst, sweet treats and a sparkling array of gifts and decorations. The legendary Gluhwein House returns serving Gluhwein, Bavarian beers and mulled cider in festive flavours including Rocking Robin and Merry Mixed Berry.

Glasgow on Ice: Throughout December, George Square
A chance to perfect your pirouettes (or at least let go of the side) as George Square's open air ice rink returns for another year.

Glasgow Loves Christmas: Throughout December, George Square
Six weeks of festive celebrations in Glasgow city centre. Watch the centre be lit up at Glasgow Christmas Lights switch-on, race 5k dressed as Mr Claus at the Santa Dash, watch the parade at the Style Mile Carnival and enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink at Glasgow On Ice.