Small gigs, comedy, markets, festivals, theatre and family days out coming up across Nottingham. Always check with the venue before you travel.
A free exhibition of Sarah Cunningham's paintings at Nottingham Contemporary, with regular walkthroughs and a BSL tour through the season. Pair it with Julia Isídrez: Mud is everything, which runs alongside.
Three nights of spooky films on a big outdoor screen: Scream on Friday, then Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas for families over the weekend. Bring a blanket or camping chair, wrap up warm and come in fancy dress.
Southwell celebrates the town's famous apple with a day of food and drink stalls inside the Minster, plus free cookery demonstrations. Entry is a suggested £3 donation, under-16s go free, and it runs until 3.30pm.
The Magpies host Stockport County in a Saturday afternoon league fixture at Meadow Lane, the home of the world's oldest professional football club.
The charity music and arts festival marks its 20th year with around 500 acts across 50 bars, chapels, galleries and cinemas in the city's independent quarter. Look out for an orchestra at St Mary's Church and a street parade, with money raised for six local charities.
Local makers, artists and food traders set up in front of the old abbey ruins for a free monthly market, running until 3pm. It returns on Sunday 29 November, handy for early Christmas gifts.
Harry Enfield, the man behind a whole gallery of much-loved TV characters, brings his live show to the Royal Concert Hall for one Sunday night.
The Reid twins bring their big-hearted singalongs to the Royal Concert Hall, with support from Kirsten Adamson. Tickets are limited, so don't hang about.
The city's comedy festival returns for its 18th year, with ten days of stand-up from up-and-coming acts and familiar names at venues around Nottingham. It makes a point of championing a wide range of voices.
The Glaswegian stand-up fills the arena for a Sunday night of sharp, observational comedy.
A Bonfire Night twist from the city council: around 250 drones tell the story of Nottingham's history and legends in a 20-minute show set to music. There's a second show at 9pm, tickets are needed for both, and food and drink are on site.
Old Market Square turns festive with the Christmas market, an ice rink, an observation wheel, a toboggan slide, an ice bar and ski-chalet style bars. Market stalls trade until Christmas Eve, and the attractions are closed on Christmas Day.
Leeds post-punks Yard Act bring their wry, danceable songs to Rock City on a Tuesday night.
Favourite Disney characters glide onto the arena ice for four days of shows, a lovely treat for younger fans in the run-up to Christmas.
Mansfield's pantomime this year is Cinderella, with Adam Moss as Buttons and Rosie Bentham in the title role. Expect big frocks, slapstick and plenty of festive sparkle for all the family.
The illuminated trail returns to the Wollaton grounds for its second winter, with light and sound installations, marshmallow toasting, mulled wine and a children's funfair. Dogs are welcome too.
The Playhouse panto, written and directed by Adam Penford, sees John Elkington back in his element as Widow Twankey. A Nottingham Christmas tradition that runs well into January.
Rob Rinder plays the Spirit of the Beans in the Theatre Royal's pantomime, with Samantha Womack and local favourite Neil Hurst as Simon Trot. Group, concession and school discounts are available on selected shows.
A weekend craft fair at Nottingham Contemporary, a good place to find handmade Christmas presents from independent makers.
A festive indoor market beneath the old colliery headstocks, with local crafts, gifts, hot food, mulled wine and mince pies until 4pm. Children can visit Santa and get a present for £2.
An hour-long Christmas show with puppetry, folk songs and storytelling, following an inventor trying to bring snow back to a grumpy town. Ideal as a first theatre trip for children aged four and up.
Newark's Palace Theatre panto follows Jack, Dame Trott and Clarabelle the Cow up the beanstalk, with live music, special effects and lots of joining in. There are 44 performances, including morning shows.
A festive comedy line-up with Ross Noble, Fern Brady, Rose Matafeo, David O'Doherty and Jen Brister sharing one stage. A fun night out with friends before Christmas.
The Belfast rap trio, known for their high-energy shows in Irish and English, play the city's biggest venue on a Saturday night.
The Panthers face their fiercest rivals in the post-Christmas ice hockey derby, usually one of the loudest nights of the season at the arena.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical comes to the Royal Concert Hall for a run in January, a cheerful way to beat the post-Christmas lull.
The Birkenhead cult favourites bring their witty, very British songs to Rock City for a Friday night show.
Nottingham Contemporary's new spring season opens with an exhibition by artist duo Enzo Camacho and Ami Lien, running into May. It opens alongside a show by Francisco 'Tún'.
Comedian Scott Bennett brings his tour show Stuff to the Theatre Royal on a Sunday night. Availability is already limited.
New York art-punk band BODEGA play the intimate Rescue Rooms on a Tuesday night in February.
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