Scottish Ballet: The Snow Queen

With typically stylish aplomb, Christopher Hampson choreographs a fresh take on the Hans Christian Andersen folk-tale, dubbing it as 'Hansel and Gretel in the snow'. The eponymous character might still be a mean piece of work, but in this production we are given an empathic glimpse into what might have made her that way. And, of course, it looks amazing, thanks to Lez Brotherston's set and costume design.
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 7–Sun 29 Dec; Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 3–Sat 18 Jan.

Counterflows

Glasgow will still host this important underground festival next April, but Edinburgh gets a taste of the Counterflows action with three separate gigs led by Beatrice Dillon, Usurper, and Joe McPhee with Decoy.
Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 2 Nov, Fri 20 Dec, Fri 31 Jan.

Hal Fischer

Documenting the gay culture of 1970s San Francisco, photographer Hal Fischer was embedded in that scene, which gave his lens a truthful, sharing power as he embarked on a semiotic study.
Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, Fri 15 Nov–Sat 30 May.

The Lion King

The Disney spectacular created by Julie Taymor shows little sign of letting its grip go on the global consciousness, and Simba and co are back for another musical extravaganza.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Thu 5 Dec–Sun 29 Mar.

Hogmanay

Another year is about to dawn and that means celebrating like there's no tomorrow. In Edinburgh, that means seeing a galaxy of stars such as Marc Almond, Mark Ronson and Dick & Dom.
Various venues, nationwide, Tue 31 Dec.

I Can Go Anywhere

Directed by Eve Nicol and written by Douglas Maxwell, this bold drama focuses on the relationship between an ageing academic and a troubled asylum seeker with an intriguing backdrop of mod culture.
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 7–21 Dec.

Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach majestically directs Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in an emotional piledriver which pulls no punches on the messy and traumatic business of divorce.
Selected release from Fri 15 Nov, Netflix from Fri 6 Dec.

The MacKinnon Collection

Scottish life and identity from the 1840s all the way through to the 1940s is represented in an evocative collection of photography.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, Sat 16 Nov–Sun 16 Feb.

MagicFest

The tenth instalment of the conjuring event formerly known as the Edinburgh International Magic Festival promises many tricks up sleeves including an opening gala with Colin Cloud, Chloe Crawford and Kevin Quantum.
Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Dec–Sun 5 Jan.

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas

(Chosen by actor and playwright Johnny McKnight)
OK, how can this not be a hot ticket? It's got literally everything going for it to be the ideal Christmas treat. An award-winning score by Danny Elfman played by our very own RSNO? Check. A live reading from comedy great Catherine O'Hara (I've my fingers crossed she's got a selection of her wigs from Schitt's Creek to wear throughout the show)? Check. A Monday night performance: the one day off I have from panto? CHECK! And with only two shows in the whole of the UK (London being the other date) it makes it a rare treat in Glasgow. Aye, it might be strange singing 'This Is Halloween' after Halloween but that's just yet another reason to make this show absolutely unmissable.
Cinderfella, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Wed 27 Nov–5 Jan; Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas, SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Mon 2 Dec.