What’s on in the UK this December? James McLachlan, UK Editor for Culture Trip, recommends a bracing winter swim, a light installation and more.
Shaping the Body Exhibition at the York Castle Museum (1-31 January)
From structured corsetry to towering heels, York Castle Museum will be arranging its archive of costume and art to depict how society’s idea of the perfect body has evolved over the past 400 years. Expect an in-depth look at changing trends in culture, diet, fashion and lifestyle that will make you reflect on current ideologies and the impact of the economy on the way we view body image.
Haggis Hooley at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (26 January)
Pay homage to Scotland’s national poet and all-round wordsmith with an evening of festivities at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Expect a traditional cèilidh band, classic Burns supper fare, poetry readings, songs and plenty of revelry.
TS Eliot Prize Readings at Southbank Centre (13 January)
On 13 January, London’s Southbank Centre presents a magical night of poetry, as the poets shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize read from their collections. Featuring poetry heavyweights Nick Laird and Tracy K Smith, as well as five debut collections, Southbank will play host to the best of English language poetry today.
The Manchester Beer & Cider Festival (24-26 January)
Those that are ignoring Dry January can dive head first into hops as Manchester Central once again hosts this brilliant annual festival. Set up by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), it features and over 750 different beers, ciders and perries from local breweries, as well as offerings from Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium. There’s even gluten-free, vegan and non-alcoholic options, meaning there’s no reason not to get a round in.
New Year’s Day Dip at London’s Victoria Docks (1 January)
Start 2019 with a New Year’s day dip in London’s icy Royal Docks. The perfect cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover, the open water swimming tradition kicks off at 11am, with free hot drinks, flapjacks and mince pies to warm up with after.
White Lies at Brighton’s Concorde 2 (31 January)
London trio White Lies have won comparisons to Interpol, Joy Division and Editors for their epic and gloomy post-punk. Mixing in icy synths with expansive rock and 1980s polish, the band are gearing up to release their fifth album in 2019. They will be performing live at Brighton’s Concorde 2 on 31 January, before playing at Cambridge’s The Junction and London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town in February.
The Rocky Horror Show UK Tour (1-31 January)
It’s just a jump to the left! Dig out your fishnet tights and get ready to do the Time Warp again as cult musical The Rocky Horror Show continues its UK tour. Boyband members Duncan James (Blue) and Ben Adams (a1) head up the cast of the 43-year-old production, coming to Brighton, Manchester and Sunderland this month and dates through to November. Don’t dream it – be it!
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf (15-26 January)
London’s Canary Wharf will transform into a spectacle of light and colour as the annual Winter Lights festival returns this January. There are 21 installations and artworks to enjoy across the district, including a glowing ice palace and an interactive game of hopscotch, as well as a great selection of street food. The perfect way to tackle those January blues.
