Northern Life Magazine

MACBETH ALONE
2026-02-04 19:30 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | Lowther Pavilion, Lowther Terrace, Lytham St, Annes
A scintillating new version of one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays. Macbeth Alone is a thrilling and visceral reimagining of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedy — performed by one man alone.

Real Food Ilkley Market
2026-02-04 10:00 - 15:00 | Real Food Ilkley Market, The Grove, Ilkley
Real Food Ilkley Market offers produce from fresh bread, cakes and gluten free bakes to curry sauces, cheeses, condiments and crepes. Stalls also include organic meat and veg, brownies, truffles and herbs from local producers and independent retailers. First Sunday of every month.

THE POPPY HOLIDAY SHOW
2026-02-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Blackburn Empire Theatre, Aqueduct Rd, Blackburn
Get ready for a feel-good, toe-tapping afternoon as Poppy & Friends deliver timeless, unforgettable songs direct to your seat!

THE DAZZLING DIAMONDS: COMEDY DRAG SHOW
2026-02-01 19:30 - 22:00 | Lancaster Grand Theatre, St Leonardgate, Lancaster
The Dazzling Diamonds proudly present their smash-hit comedy variety drag show. This isn’t just any show – these “ladies” deliver a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud spectacle like no other.

150th Anniversary Exhibition
2026-02-01 10:00 - 16:00 | The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport
This exhibition showcases The Atkinson’s fine art collection in the popular 19th-century ‘Salon Hang’ style, when artworks were arranged from floor to ceiling.

Beatles Complete
2026-01-31 20:00 - 22:30 | Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle
Beatles Complete present a night of Beatlemania packed with massive hits from the most influential band of all time.

Richard Blackwood Unfiltered
2026-01-31 19:30 | Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen
No gimmicks. No filter. Just Richard Blackwood at his realest. In this brand-new hour, Richard delivers sharp, fearless comedy with raw honesty – tackling fatherhood, fame, race, ageing and mental health.

MONTHLY KIRKSTALL ABBEY TOURS
2026-01-30 10:30 - 11:30 | Kirkstall Abbey, Kirkstall, Leeds
Explore how different parts of the Abbey were used, touching on how the monks of Kirkstall Abbey lived and a potted history of one of Britain’s most complete Cistercian monasteries from foundation to dissolution and beyond.

Educating Rita
2026-01-26 - 2026-01-31 | Keighley Playhouse, Devonshire Street, Keighley
Set in the 1980’s in Liverpool, Rita, a young hairdresser, seeks to break away from her working-class roots and pursue an education. Comedy drama by Willy Russell. 7.30pm. Sat mat 2.30pm.

Waiting Room: Footlights on Tour at Settle Victoria Hall
2026-01-23 19:30 | 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.
