Whatever the history books eventually say about 2021, it's a year that no one living through it will ever forget. As we approach the last few weeks before 2022 dawns, it's probably your duty to revel in a feast of live entertainment across Glasgow and Edinburgh. Here we pick 20 of the best things happening over the coming month including resolute reindeers, aural anniversaries and barnstorming ballet

Beecraigs Festive Forest
With amazing views across the Lothians and Fife, Beecraigs offers an illuminated trail, street food, a silent disco, carol singers, bungee jumps, and Santa's Grotto.
Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow, Friday 3–Friday 24 December.

Benedetti Plays Mozart
Our nation's favourite violinist teams up with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for Amadeus' Violin Concerto No 1 while she also plays some Schoenberg and Johann Strauss II.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thursday 16 December; City Halls, Glasgow, Friday 17 December.

Bill Bailey
The self-proclaimed 'hippie materialist' is set to lead us all En Route To Normal through the maze of chaos and misinformation. With songs and stories.
OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Wednesday 29 December.

Carmen
Russian ballet superstar Natalia Osipova leads the way on this world premiere of a very contemporary take on the 1845 novella which was turned into an opera by Bizet.
EICC, Edinburgh, Friday 17 & Saturday 18 December.

Castle Of Light: Hidden Treasures
A spotlight is targeted onto the lesser-known stories from Scotland's past with projections including Rex the lovable lion rampant.
Edinburgh Castle, until Sunday 9 January.

Christmas Dinner
The Lyceum joins forces with Catherine Wheels for a family show about a theatre reacting to the cancellation of Christmas. To be blunt, it's not having it.
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Monday 6 December–Sunday 2 January.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival
Trickery is in the air and in front of your very eyes as the likes of Kevin Quantum, Laura London and Magic Gareth aim to leave you agog and befuddled.
Various venues, Edinburgh, Friday 17–Friday 31 December.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay
As though it's never been away, the capital's end-of-year celebrations click back into gear with five stages of bands and DJs including headliners Basement Jaxx, while many other events go on around town during the run-up and aftermath.
Various venues, Wednesday 29 December–Saturday 1 January.

Elfingrove
This splendidly titled event has skater boys and skater girls cutting across the ice before chilling out with a hot chocolate as music and a light show keeps them entertained.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow, until Friday 24 December.

Enter Shikari
Finally the St Albans rockers get to air songs from their sixth album Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible released in April 2020. Support comes from Nova Twins and Dinosaur Pile-Up.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Monday 13 December.

Heathers The Musical
You may well have mainlined the movie at some point in your life and here is the stage musical of Heathers. Being popular might not be all that it's cracked up to be, but missing out is not an option.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Tuesday 7–Saturday 11 December.

Leith Social
Two further nights of comedy and music care of the good people at Gilded Balloon with Fern Brady, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Susan Riddell among those telling the gags.
The Pitt, Edinburgh, Thursday 9, 16 December.

Olive The Other Reindeer
Penned by modern panto master Johnny McKnight, this festive show has Julie Wilson Nimmo (Miss Hoolie for kids or parents of a certain age) playing the central character who is on a mission to ensure that every child gets a present this year.
Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tuesday 14–Friday 24 December.

Rachel Sermanni
Scotland's indie-folk-pop diamond is delighted to be back playing gigs again with her tales of struggle and desire pretty much the perfect backdrop for our times.
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Friday 3 December.

Ranulph Fiennes
Tales of derring-do and escapades to victory in this touring show which is called Living Dangerously. For reasons that will become all too apparent.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Saturday 18 December.

Stewart Lee
Having had to ditch a significant chunk of his last touring show material due to, well, you know what, Mr Lee brings us Virus Tornado, a show that will almost certainly surprise and scintillate.
The Stand, Edinburgh, Sunday 12 December; The Stand, Glasgow, Monday 13 December.

Supergrass
A quarter of a century on from their debut tunes, Gaz and the guys commemorate that landmark with oldies but goodies, as well as some new songs.
O2 Academy Glasgow, Sunday 19 December.

The Human League
Another anniversary gig, this one marking 40 whole years since the Sheffield electro legends' epoch-making Dare. Special guests on the night include Altered Images.
OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Thursday 9 December.

The National Whisky Festival
A dram fine event for all you scotch-samplers, with distillers, bottlers and aficionados from across the industry all in attendance.
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Saturday 11 December.

Yungblud
The mighty Dominic Harrison completes his Life On Mars UK tour with a Glasgow double date. Any chance he'll do a cover of that Bowie song? Well, yeah, he most assuredly will.
Barrowland, Glasgow, Tuesday 7 & Wednesday 8 December.

Keep an eye out for our rolling coverage of live entertainment throughout December.