Northern Life Magazine

Waiting Room: Footlights on Tour at Settle Victoria Hall
2026-01-23 19:30 (Europe/London) | Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
In this gripping original play, a group of strangers find themselves in a deserted railway station waiting room. Initially believing it to be just another stop on their journeys. As they settle in and wait for a train that never arrives, they soon realise something unsettling – none of them can remember where they’re going or where they’ve come from.

National Theatre Live: Hamlet
2026-01-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Settle Victoira Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
Live screening from National Theatre Live. Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.

WHAT WE WORE
2026-01-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Bankfield Museum, Akroyd Park, Halifax
A collaborative exhibition with Calderdale Dementia Hub and Bankfield Museum exploring fashion memories.

BLT: Folk
2026-01-19 19:30 - 2026-01-24 22:00 | Bingley Arts Centre, Main Street, Bingley
“A hilarious story of hope and a celebration of the different forms that love can take.” Presented by Bingley Little Theatre.

HOME EDUCATION: AMAZING ANIMALS WORKSHOP
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Leeds Discovery Centre, Carlisle Rd, Leeds
Get up close to animals from around the world. In this workshop, you’ll learn about adaptations, habitats and evolution by investigating a variety of birds, insects and exotic animal skeletons. Then you’ll take a look at the purpose-built collection store, which houses over 800,000 natural science specimens.

Women in Rock
2026-01-17 19:30 | The Grand Theatre, St. Leonardsgate, Lancaster, LA1 1NL
Get ready to crank up the volume and feel the power for Women in Rock, the electrifying live show dedicated entirely to the trailblazing women who shattered the ceilings and redefined rock music forever.

Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Show
2026-01-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Albert Halls, Victoria Square, Bolton
50 plus years In Entertainment/comedy , Roy Chubby Brown is still going strong , entertaining thousands and thousands of fans annually up and down the country , Roy is the undoubted King of Comedy.

The Don Banks Afternoon Variety Show
2026-01-14 14:00 | Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen
Join us on a nostalgic journey down memory lane back to those good old days for an afternoon of uplifting songs, stories and laughter. £5/£6.

HAROLD GOSNEY: MATERIALS AND MAKING
2026-01-14 10:00 - 17:00 | York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York
This retrospective celebrates over six decades of creative work by Yorkshire sculptor Harold Gosney (born 1937), an artist renowned for his inventive use of materials and his deep connection to the region.

BRONTË BABIES – THORNTON
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | South Square Centre, Thornton, Bradford
These relaxed sessions for little ones aged 0-walking feature sensory play, song, and stories and a chance to meet other parents and carers. Each session draws inspiration from the Brontë Parsonage Museum’s collection and the lives of the Brontës.

WINTER ILLUMINATIONS
2026-01-10 17:00 - 21:00 | Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Hurst Ln,, Doncaster
Discover the magic Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Winter Illuminations, the most magical winter lantern trail. Winter Illuminations is one of the UK’s most magical Christmas light experiences and perfect for all the family or a festive date idea!

LITTLE SCIENTISTS
2026-01-09 10:00 - 11:15 | Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Kirkstall, Leeds
Discover Abbey House Museum’s three Victorian streets in a new way using the magic of science! Explore Abbey Fold, Harewood Square and Stephen Harding Gate and learn some simple science on the way. This discovery session is perfect for under-5s.

TROUBLE AT MILL: THE RADICAL WORLD OF ETHEL CARNIE HOLDSWORTH EXHIBITION
2026-01-08 12:00 - 16:00 | Queen St Mill Textile Museum, Harle Syke, Burnley, BB10 2HX, United Kingdom
Don’t miss a truly unique and beautifully presented exhibition celebrating local writer Ethel Carnie Holdsworth and the Rickard Sisters’ new graphic novel adaptation of her radical story, This Slavery.

IN LOVING MEMORY
2026-01-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Bankfield Museum, Akroyd Park, Halifax
Death is something that affects us all, and the need to remember those we have lost is an important part of being human. Featuring displays of mourning wear, jewellery and imagery, this exhibition explores our changing attitudes towards death and the ways in which we cope with loss.

ANNE LISTER FESTIVAL
2026-01-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Shibden Hall, Lister's Road, Halifax
The Anne Lister Festival is an annual cultural event in Halifax, West Yorkshire, celebrating the life, legacy and wide-ranging story of Anne “Gentleman Jack” Lister—19th-century landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, traveller, scholar and diarist. It typically takes place around the anniversary of her birthday each spring, with a programme featuring walks, talks, heritage tours, exhibitions, creative workshops and community events, often including visits to her former home at Shibden Hall and displays of related historical costumes and archives. The festival brings together local partners and international visitors, honours Lister’s contributions to LGBTQ+ history and Yorkshire heritage, and forms part of Calderdale’s broader cultural calendar.

MEET FRANCES TEMPEST AT BOLLING HALL
2026-01-04 11:00 - 15:30 | Bolling Hall Museum, Bowling Hall Rd, Bradford
English Civil War, 1642 – 1649. Bolling Hall was the temporary Royalist Headquarters after winning a great battle against the Parliamentarians under Oliver Cromwell, the Battle of Adwalton Moor in June 1643. Frances, as mistress of the house, would protect herself & her family by always having 2 Flintlock Pistols at the ready, “keeping her powder dry” under her apron. Every Sunday.

Aladdin
2026-01-03 - 2026-01-18 | The Muni Theatre, Colne, BB8 0AE
Join our hero Aladdin, his mother Widow Twankey and his brother Wishee Washee as they embark on a magical adventure and try to defeat the evil Abanazar and his plan to become master of the world. Various times. From £16.50.

LANCASHIRE READING TRAIL BOOK CLUB
2025-12-31 14:30 - 16:00 | Burnley Library, Grimshaw Street, Burnley
Children ages 6 – 12 are invited to join the book club, where they will be challenged to read a book by a specific author every four weeks, then meet up to chat, share reviews, craft, and become one step closer to completing the Lancashire Reading Trail.

The HAPPA Café and HAPPA Direct Shop
2025-12-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Happa, Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe,, Burnley
The HAPPA Café, open seven days a week including until 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, serves a selection of food and drinks, including Walling’s Ice Cream and a variety of cakes and treats. The onsite tack and gift shop offers a fantastic selection of toys, second-hand and new equipment for your horse, and gifts for your dog.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
2025-12-29 08:00 - 2025-12-30 17:00 | Skipton Town Hall, High Street, Skipton
This year, Same Difference invites you on a festive adventure like no other. Jack and his mum is busy preparing their annual Christmas offering to keep the Giant away from the village—but disaster strikes when the cupboards are bare!

The Muppet Christmas Carol
2025-12-21 14:30 - 17:30 | Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
The fabulous Muppets band together to teach Scrooge (Michael Caine) the meaning of Christmas in this charming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.

DEAR SANTA LIVE!
2025-12-21 13:30 - 16:00 | King’s Hall, Station Road, Ilkley
Santa is determined to deliver the most fantastic Christmas present to Sarah, but he doesn’t get it right straight away! With the help of his cheeky Elf, he finally settles on something ‘perfect’, just in time for Christmas Eve.

Mayors Charity Christmas Concert Blackburn with Darwen Band
2025-12-21 13:00 | Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen
Come along for the Annual Christmas Sing-a-long with Darwen Brass for the Mayor of Darwen’s Charity which is Dementia UK. 2 hours of Carols and traditional Christmas songs.

All Together Now Choir: Wonderful Christmas Time
2025-12-21 | Bingley Arts Centre, Main Street, Bingley
Come and join the fabulous All Together Now Community Choir for their traditional Family Christmas Concert that is guaranteed to get you feeling festive. 2pm & 5pm. £12.00 each All profits go to local Yorkshire charities.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – A ghost story for a winter’s night
2025-12-20 19:30 | Bingley Arts Centre, Main Street, Bingley
Marley has been dead for seven years, but on Christmas Eve his ghost will offer Ebeneezer Scrooge once last chance to change his ways and avoid his own terrible fate.

The Man Who Was Magic
2025-12-20 19:30 | The Muni Theatre, Colne, BB8 0AE
Dare to believe in magic and step into a world where the impossible comes alive! James Phelan is The Man Who Was Magic in a completely new show for 2025. You’re invited to a night of wonder where secrets unravel and you’re left aching with laughter and dizzy in disbelief.

THE REINDEER WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
2025-12-19 11:00 - 18:00 | Skipton Town Hall, High Street, Skipton
Narrated by Father Christmas himself, this touching story takes a closer look at the beloved tale of a very special Red-Nosed Reindeer. When a cold-hearted villain named Jack Frost threatens to ruin Christmas with a massive snowstorm, this special little reindeer shows everyone that kindness and inclusion can warm even the coldest hearts. 11 am, 2.30 pm and 6 pm.

Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
2025-12-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
Encore Screening from The Royal Ballet. Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker has enchanted audiences since its 1984 premiere by the Company. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies and brought to life by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s exquisite designs, The Nutcracker is sure to be a festive firecracker for all ages.

Christmas with Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band
2025-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
Join us for an unforgettable evening of festive music as Giggleswick & Settle Brass Band fill Victoria Hall with the magic of Christmas!

Tea with Santa
2025-12-13 14:00 - 2025-12-20 16:00 | Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Hale, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Create christmassy enrichment for our meerkats, join in on animal handling, watch our snow leopards being fed and return inside for high tea and drinks. Get the chance to have a private chat with Santa, and get an early Christmas present. Prices are available on our website. Pre-booking essential.
