COMEDY

From brand new acts to top established names, there’s a giggle for everyone at the brilliant Nottingham Comedy Festival from Fri 1 – Sun 10 November. Meanwhile, catch comics Steve Shanyaski and Craig Deeley at Buxton Buzz Comedy Club on Fri 1 Nov and Dom Joly investigates weird conspiracy theories on Mon 4 Nov.

Over in Buxton, Rhod Gilbert brings Rhod Gilbert and the Giant Grapefruit to the Opera House on Wed 13 Nov.

ON THE STAGE

Caught the Strictly bug this season? Spend An Evening with Anton Du Beke at Buxton Opera House on Sun 17 Nov.

Ok, not quite a stage, but a expect thrills (and chills) when Disney characters take to the ice at Nottingham Arena. Disney On Ice is on from Thurs 14 – Sun 17 Nov.

Get in practice for panto season with a spot of interactive theatricals at Elementary! A Christmas Murder Mystery at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham from 28-30 November.

Teens studying A Christmas Carol for GCSE? There are a couple of options to whisk them along to this month. First up, a magical retelling at Derby Theatre from Sun 24 Nov. More, ahem, ‘revision’ when Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol comes to Nottingham Theatre Royal from Tues 26 – Sat 30 Nov.

More festive feels at Mansfield Palace Theatre when Aladdin takes to the stage from Sat 23 November for its Christmas run. And the magic reaches fever pitch when the legendary Nottingham Playhouse panto reaches new heights with a giant of a show – Jack and the Beanstalk – starting on Fri 29 Nov. 

MUSIC

Irish band The Script take to the stage at Nottingham Arena to play a powerful live show on Wed 20 Nov before a blast from the past from UB40 and Soul II Soul the following night. Then Jamie Cullum brings his legendary live show to Nottingham Royal Concert Hall on Thurs 28 Nov.

Scouting for Girls take to the stage at Buxton Opera House on Mon 9 Nov.

Ok, not quite a stage, but a expect thrills (and chills) when Disney characters take to the ice at Nottingham Arena. Disney On Ice is on from Thurs 14 – Sun 17 Nov.

Expect a spellbinding show when Celtic music trailblazers Capercaillie tour our ‘hood this month. Watch them perform on Tues 12 November at Buxton Opera House.

The Lightning Seeds rock up to Rock City in Nottingham on Thurs 14 November followed by They Might Be Giants the following night.

Love belting out a song or two yourself? Get thee to Crazy Little Sing Called Pub at the Malt Cross in Nottingham on Sun 17 Nov and join a mass pub sing-song belting out feelgood anthems like James’ Sit Down and The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done. Yep, a pub full of strangers transforms into a harmonised, drink-fuelled choir. It’ll give you goosbumps.

FIREWORKS

Two nights of dazzling displays, laser dances and fire breathers, the Fireworks Spectacular, at Conkers in Moira is aptly named. With a family sparkler station, fairground and food stalls it sounds like perfect family fodder for Sat 2 and Sun 3 November. Family tickets are £44.

For more November oohs and ahhs, check out Muddy’s brilliant Bonfire Night guide to the best across Notts and Derbyshire.

SHOPPING

Ready to embrace the festive feels and get the Christmas goodies in? It’s Christmas market season and we’re here for it. There’s famous Chatsworth Christmas Market from 9 November (until 1 Dec). Down the road at Thornbridge Hall the festive market takes place over four weekends from Fri 15 Nov, with artisan makers live entertainment and Santa’s grotto. Garden entry tickets allow access to the Christmas market and if you fancy a house tour, it will be decked out for Christmas.

Pick up a unique Christmas gift at the winter craft fair at Southwell Minster from 8-9 November. More than 60 indie stallholders will gather to show off their lovely festive wares – from jewellery to textiles, it’s all here. More festive market joy from 13 Nov when the famous Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market (pictured) kicks off at handsome Haddon Hall.

LIGHT TRAILS & FESTIVE FUN

Mittens out! We love a twinkling winter light trail at Muddy, and this one looks like a total treat for littlies. Light Post Farm is a magical new collab between GloWorm festival and White Post Farm will see the family farm get a winter glow-up. Open from Thurs 21 Nov, it runs until 22 Dec and a family ticket costs £45.

Chatsworth’s interactive light trail kicks off from 9 November and waves through the historic Cascade, rock garden and maze. Wait for the oohs and ahhs as it culminates in a spectacular animated light show on the house. Inside the house will be dressed in its festive gladrags for Christmas at Chatsworth.

Head for the heights above Matlock from 22 Nov for The Lights of Abraham winter lights trail. Take a moonlit cable car to the top and then weave through illuminated woodland trails and colourful surprises around every corner.

Be the first to skate a Christmas themed rink when the Christmas lights are switched on and festive skating launches at National Ice Centre in Nottingham’s Lace Market. And keep the mittens on for Winterfest at Thoresby Park on 31 November.

FOOD & DRINK

Pop the corks! There’s a wine tasting and dinner at Muddy’s favourite country house hideaway Wildhive Callow Hall, Ashbourne which puts English fizz in the spotlight. It’s on Thurs 28 Nov, which may be a school night but we strongly suspect it’s worth a fuzzy-headed Friday.

Another gorgeous foodie feast, The Cavendish Restaurant at Chatsworth is hosting two autumnal evenings of fine food and expertly paired wines, with leading English sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber. Pick from Fri 15 and Fri 22 Nov, tickets cost £125pp.

Dream of dancing your elegant socks off at a Downton-style ball? Dust off the gladrags, this one’s for you. The beautiful ballroom at Buxton Crescent Assembly Rooms will play host to a Dickensian Ball on Sat 16 November. If you’re taking things seriously, your ticket includes a dance workshop from 2pm-4pm to brush up on your dance skills. The ball kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets cost £70.

Muddy loves a good murder mystery and Woodborough Hall’s Murder on the Disorient Express on Fri 1 November sounds like a corker. Tickets are £65pp and include drinks reception and canapés, a three course meal and all the high jinx of a murder mystery.

Another way to rev up your dinner out? Book onto Bespoke Inns Halloween Tour’met Night on 1 Nov, where you’ll enjoy one course in each of The Boot at Repton, The Dragon in Willington and end up at Binary Bar in Mickleover (transport between each included). If tapas is more your style, try the mouth-watering Italian Tapas night at The Dragon on 14 Nov.

Fizz, a sit-down meal, dancing and beauty advice. Sound good? Beyond the Mirror is a stylish evening of health and beauty advice at Cleaver & Wake in Nottingham on Sat 23 November. An expert panel of inspirational speakers will talk all things health and beauty before a grazing menu, Prosecco, wine and dancing. Organised by Angels Twelve’s Dr Ohla Vorodyukhina, the dress code is glamorous (obvs) and VIP tickets won’t hang around for long. Chop chop. Tickets cost £65 (email book@angelstwelve.com).

And finally: Pizza Express is getting into the Christmas charity spirit by bringing back its festive Snowball Dough Balls. If you’ve yet to experience this delight, they’re basically a sweet version of the regular doughballs, covered in chocolate sauce, cinnamon and icing sugar. The big day when they hit restaurants nationwide on the Christmas menu is 12 Nov, then 19 Nov will be Snowball Dough Ball Day, when you can try these appetising treats for just £1. If that isn’t tempting enough, all the money raised on the promo day will go to Pizza Express’ charity partner @place2be, which supports children’s mental health in schools in the UK. Doing good never tasted so great.

WORKSHOPS

Muddy loves a spot of Christmas crafting and this Christmas stocking workshop at Thornbridge Hall sounds gorgeous. Robyn from Oh Sew Cute will help you customise your own stocking with hand embroidery. Wed 27 Nov, £45pp.

Itching to get the festive decs up? Make them home-spun this year by adding your own, made at the Festive Marquetry Workshop at Hanwell Wine Estate on Sat 9 November. Costs £60.

How about creating a one-of-a-kind gift for a gal pal (or gift to self)? Handmade Nottingham is hosting a Christmas Crafternoon where you’ll make your own leather bag, purse or phone case. Sat 30 Nov, tickets cost £55pp.

Book in for a beauty masterclass with Clarins followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea at Hart’s Hotel & Kitchen in Nottingham on Thurs 21 Nov, from 12pm-3pm (£40pp). Call or email Hart’s to book.

OUTDOORS

Need some headspace? How about a sumptuous night swim to live music in Hathersage’s heated lido? Dive in on  Fri 15 November at 6.30pm (booking essential).