15 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding
Photo of a print of a dead butterfly

Our own take on the traditional advent calendar continues, with  the fifteenth post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: We love Leeds.

There are lots of good things going on in Leeds at the moment. The Tetley is a destination in itself, with a restaurant, bar and two new exhibitions all in one place. There’s the brilliantly-titled Some Women, Other Women and all the Bittermen, a large-scale video installation that explores the role of the worker under global capitalism (using both real and fictional documentary footage). Then there’s Educating Damien, a fascinating archive of slides and lecture materials from Glyn Thompson, former teacher of Damien Hirst and other Foundation Art students at Jacob Kramer College in Leeds. The Tetley, 11am-4pm, free.

Do more. For something a bit different, book The Wood Beneath the World. This immersive experience takes place under Leeds Town Hall – we don’t want to give too much away, so let’s just say that it’s pretty whimsical. If you don’t manage to get tickets, there’s a great pop-up bar in the Town Hall’s old cells that’s a fun trip in and of itself. Try San Carlo Leeds for a meal afterwards. Leeds Town Hall, 5pm (until 23 Dec). Tickets £8/£6 conc.

Culture Guides

Anita Sethi

Literature

Festival fever has live literature land gripped, and libraries get their very own celebration in Greater Manchester, so you have your pick of performances from a star-studded cast this month…

Music

Some excellent bands descend on Manchester this month, with the old and new guard of post punk in particularly strong supply.

Theatre in Manchester

Theatre

Check out our updated guide for lively theatre festivals, rip-roaring rooftop circus and dreamy outdoor shows.

Classical Music

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.

Food and Drink

Plan your May Bank Holidays with the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.

Cinema

We look at the ingenious, atmospheric outdoor screenings popping up across the North this summer.

Exhibitions

The spring season in museums and galleries continues, with an abundance of new exhibitions all over the North.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House

Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Tours and Activities

New in our Tours and Activities section – drink and draw sessions, political reading groups and tours of some of Manchester’s most unique museums.