Introducing our Advent Calendar – the eleventh post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: Light art and a snow show.

A brand new light art festival pilots in Piccadilly Gardens today: organised by Curated Place, Enlighten Manchester is just a taster of a bigger event in 2015, but already has artists such as Ulf Pederson (one of the founders of Durham’s Lumiere festival) involved. Expect large-scale projections, light-based artworks and more. What better way to stave off the early dark of winter? Piccadilly Gardens, 11-13 Dec, 4.30pm-8pm; 14 Dec, 4.30-6pm, free.

Do more. Running until 13 December, Slava’s Snowshow at The Lowry feels like an nearly-at-the-end-of-the-week kind of treat. It’s brilliantly bonkers, a clown’s approach to Christmas that manages to be touching as well as spectacular. Don’t forget to drop into Booths for foodie goodies while you’re at The Quays. Slava’s Snowshow, The Lowry. Tickets from £18.