Avoid the January blues by making the first month of 2017 a busy one. With plenty of new film releases, comedians setting off on tour and music festivals starting early, there's a whole range of events to choose from, and we've picked our top 5 to get you started.

1. La La Land
If you wondered what Damien Chazelle would produce after the coruscating verve of Whiplash, here's the answer: a truly sensational homage to Hollywood musicals starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and set in a near-fairytale Los Angeles
General release from Fri 13 Jan.

2. Celtic Connections
The UK's number one festival devoted to Celtic music (though we all know it's much more than that) delivers another terrific bill including Karine Polwart with her acclaimed Wind Resistance and Shooglenifty paying tribute to their late fiddle player Angus R Grant, plus Laura Marling, Nae Plans and Orchestra Baobab.
Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 19 Jan–Sun 5 Feb.

3. Manipulate
Scotland's renowned puppet and animation festival raises a glass to its tenth birthday with work on the way from Tortoise in a Nutshell and Agrupación Señor Serrano.
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Jan–Sun 5 Feb.

4. Jack Whitehall
The man labelled a 'professional posho' by (probably) jealous types, continues his inexorable march towards a slacker-like world domination. With At Large, the star of Bad Education is promising to get a little bit ruder than usual.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Wed 11 & Fri 12 Jan; Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Wed 1–Fri 3 Feb.

5. Manchester by the Sea
High drama, quirky characters and intriguing details are rife in this astonishing Casey Affleck-starring movie about seemingly humdrum lives being bent tragically out of shape. The patter of not-so tiny awards might well be this wonderful film's reward.
General release from Fri 13 Jan.