There's more to November than fireworks and bonfires, you know - here are 46 events to keep you occupied as the nights draw in.
Music & Nightlife
Buck 65, Electric Circus, Sat Nov 1
Signed to Sage Francis’s Strange Famous Records, genre-hopping Canadian alt.hip hop artist Buck 65 will be performing songs from his 15 albums-strong back catalogue (including most recent release, ‘Neverlove’).
Jackhammer, Wee Red Bar, Sat Nov 1
Another storming night for the much-loved capital techno night, with Glasgow-based DJ/producer Hans Bouffmyhre (Sleaze, Soma) stepping behind the decks.
Band of Skulls, Liquid Room, Sun Nov 2
The English rock trio are touring the UK in support of swaggering third album ‘Himalayan’, which we awarded a strong four stars back in March. Better yet, they’re supported by Aussie thrash-pop two-piece DZ Deathrays.
Chvrches, Corn Exchange, Wed Nov 5
Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty continue touring their phenomenal debut album ‘The Bones of What You Believe’. And why the hell not – its best moments capture a ‘bittersweet fusion of melancholy and mild euphoria’, after all.
Jacques Greene, The Caves, Thu Nov 6
The mysterious low-key Canadian house producer teases a couple of forthcoming releases on LuckyMe and Night Slugs with a set at one of Edinburgh’s most unique subterranean venues, with support from likeminded local Telfort.
The Wedding Present, Liquid Room, Tue Nov 11
The stalwart indie rock survivors, led by sole founding member Dave Gedge, return to the live circuit to play through their divisive ‘lost’ album, ‘Watusi’.
Scottish Opera: La Cenerentola, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Thu Nov 13-Sat Nov 22
Russian mezzo-soprano Victoria Yarovaya takes the lead role in Scottish Opera’s latest production, a revival of Rossini’s comedic Cinderella story.
Speech Development Records Tour, Sneaky Pete’s, Sat Nov 15
Scroobius Pip shows off his label’s alt.hip hop roster, with B Dolan and Warrenpeace delivering full band performances alongside some spoken word bits from the Pipster himself.
Erasure, Corn Exchange, Thu Nov 20
Synthpop icons Andy Bell and Vince Clarke command more than a little respect as they play tracks from their 16th studio album, ‘The Voilet Flame’.
The Gaslight Anthem, Corn Exchange, Fri Nov 21
UK tour in support of album number five from Bruce Springsteen’s favourite New Jersey punk rock band (probably).
Stanley Odd, Liquid Room, Fri Nov 21
If you haven’t yet seen Scotland’s foremost political hip hop ensemble, take advantage of this full band live show immediately.
Scots Fiddle Festival, The Queen’s Hall and Summerhall, Fri Nov 21-Sun Nov 23
Some leading lights of Scotland’s traditional folk scene (including Douglas Montgomery, John McCusker and Paul Anderson) take the lead in a programme that also features the odd overseas visitor, with concerts, recitals and play-along sessions aplenty.
Perfume Genius, Caves, Sun Nov 23
Catch Seattle chamber pop singer-songwriter Mike Hardeas performing songs from his critically acclaimed third album ‘Too Bright’ (awarded four stars from Time Out back in September).
Lau-Land, The Queen’s Hall, Thu Nov 27-Sat Nov 29
Trad folk stars Lau curate a series of gigs featuring some of their favourite performers, including Siobhan Wilson, Adam Holmes, Joan As Police Woman, Dick Gaughan, Capercaille and Anaïs Mitchell (not forgetting Lau themselves of course).
John Grant, Usher Hall, Sat Nov 29
Having collaborated to breathtaking effect with the BBC Philharmonic for Radio 6 Music last month, the Czars frontman is touring some of the UK’s most august concert halls (Edinburgh’s Usher Hall included) accompanied by Newcastle’s Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Nightvision, various venues throughout November
The newborn Edinburgh clubbing brand continues to reinvigorate the city’s nightlife with a series of high profile DJ sets and performances from the likes of Gorgon City, Joy Orbison, Bondax and Annie Mac.
Brussels Philharmonic, Usher Hall, Sun Nov 30
Montenegrin guitarist Miloš Karadaglić (playing Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’) and organist Oliver Condy (playing Saint Saens’ ‘Symphony No. 3 in C minor’) join the audience-friendly ensemble for a night at the Usher Hall.
Things to Do
Night in the Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Thu Oct 30-Sun Nov 23
Come and experience the Botanics as you’ve never seen them before, with spectacular and eerily beautiful illuminations transforming the park into a psychedelic wonderland.
Watch the Fireworks, various venues around Edinburgh, Sun Nov 2-Wed Nov 5
There are a handful of Bonfire Night events in Edinburgh on and around November 5. You can head along to displays at George Watson’s or Meadowbank if you want to feel the heat up close, but we’d recommend up Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill if you want to take in all the displays in the city going off at once.
An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi, Lyceum, Mon Nov 10
The chef, Observer columnist and all-round foodie icon discusses his life in cookery and plugs his new book, ‘Plenty More’.
Alan Cumming: Not My Father's Son, Roxy Assembly, Wed Nov 12
Also launching a book this month is star of stage and screen Cumming, whose new memoir explores his father’s dark history.
John Cooper Clarke, Queen’s Hall, Thu Nov 20
Currently enjoying one of his sporadic surges in popularity, the Bard of Salford has managed to book one of Edinburgh’s grander venues for an evening of punk poetry and witty anecdotage.
Tales in the Tower, St Giles, Mon Nov 24-Sun Nov 30
We’re all for atmospheric storytelling and poetry – even more so when the venue is the clock tower of St Giles Cathedral. A unique chance to experience some evocative yarn-spinning atop one of Edinburgh’s landmarks, as part of Book Week Scotland.
Poets Against Humanity, The Banshee Labyrinth, Thu Nov 27
If you’ve ever played the cult game 'Cards Against Humanity', you’re probably well acquainted with what an awful human being you are. Why not ease that guilt by listening to other people be awful via the medium of spoken word and comedy?
Theatre
Bondagers, Lyceum, Sat Nov 1-Sat Nov 15
Sue Glover explores the lives of the 19th century women who worked on Scottish farms, employing a mix of humour, song and dance along with the graft and toil of croft life.
Symphony, Traverse Theatre, Wed Nov 5-Fri Nov 7
Three of the UK’s finest up and coming theatremakers (Tom Wells, Ella Hickson and Nick Payne) deliver a show that combines the best elements of theatre, comedy and live music. We praised the ‘the sweet, skilled cast and the sheer energy’ of the show when we reviewed it during its Edinburgh Fringe run – what more do you want?
The Kite Runner, King’s Theatre, Mon Nov 10-Sat Nov 15
Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel about dark childhood secrets has already been made into a critically adored movie – now’s your chance to see it performed live on stage.
The Gamblers, Summerhall, Wed Nov 12-Sat Nov 15
A four-way collaboration between theatre companies Greyscale, Dundee Rep, Stellar Quines and Northern Stage, this all-female rejig of Gogol’s fast-paced comedy has been receiving rave reviews since its debut in Dundee. These Summerhall dates are the last on this tour, so act fast.
Theatre Uncut, Traverse, Thu Nov 13-Sat Nov 15
Co-Artistic Director Hannah Price helms this year’s programme of short plays themed around current political issues - head along to witness raw theatre that has something important to say.
Rambert Dance: Rooster, Thu Nov 27-Sat Nov 29
Choreographer Christopher Bruce’s bright and sassy tribute to the 1960s (via the music of the Rolling Stones) is revived following a 13-year absence.
Comedy
Jason Cook is Broken, Tue Nov 11
‘Brave, undoubtedly funny and moving’ – just a few words we used in our review of this show when it debuted at the Fringe this year. If you missed it then, you’re in luck – Cook’s bringing it back to the Stand this month.
Vikki Stone: Instrumental, The Stand, Sun Nov 16
Cook’s not the only one giving his Fringe material a welcome return – musical comedian Vikki Stone is also appearing at The Stand this month with her ‘Instrumental’ show…
Katherine Ryan: Glam Role Model, The Stand, Sun Nov 30
… as is Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, whose ‘Glam Role Model’ examines the outdated role of glamour modeling in modern culture. With jokes, obviously.
Dylan Moran, The Stand, Thu Nov 20-Sat Nov 22
The Irish stand-up star and Edinburgh resident is taking advantage of the cosy wee comedy club on his doorstep by taking on a few guest spots at The Stand’s Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows this month.
Art
Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Scottish Art, Scottish National Galleries, until Sun Jan 25
The nationwide Generation project, which celebrates the last quarter-century of Scottish visual art, rumbles on with exhibitions and installations at all three of Edinburgh’s National Galleries this month. We’re particularly impressed with the fabulous show at Modern Art One, which features works by Ross Sinclair, Graham Fagen, Douglas Gordon, Alison Watt and Charles Avery.
Negritude Republic, Summerhall, until Fri Nov 7
Johannesburg graphic designer Modise BlackDice makes his solo UK debut with this striking poster exhibition as part of the Afrovibes UK Festival fringe, celebrating 20 years since the end of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a bold and striking exhibition combining pop art, typography and black iconography.
Fifty Comics Exhibition, Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat Nov 15
London-based portrait photographer Matt Crockett has assembled 50 of his favourite comedian portraits for a forthcoming book. Have a sneak peak at the full-size versions ahead of publication, for free, at one of Edinburgh’s performance institutions.
Edinburgh Art Fair, Corn Exchange, Fri Nov 14-Sun Nov 16
Fancy owning some art instead of traipsing off to see it in someone else’s gallery? The Edinburgh Art Fair gives you the opportunity to do just that, with dozens of galleries and artists selling their wares
Film
Film4 FrightFest All-Nighter, Cameo Cinema, Sat Nov 1
They’re arriving slightly after the Halowe’en rush, but we’ll forgive ‘em. Starting at 9.30pm and carrying on until dawn, the fearsome line-up includes Italian thriller 'The Editor', anthology sequel 'The ABCs of Death 2', Hammer vampire classic 'Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter', nightmarish sequel 'The Pact II' and demonic horror 'Last Shift'.
Interstellar, Fri Nov 7
Our reviewer said Christopher Nolan’s latest ‘makes Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Gravity’ feel like a palate cleanser for the big meal to come’, and gave it a hefty five stars. Bigger than ‘Gravity’? Count us in.
Leviathan, Fri Nov 7
A contemporary Russian tale, set on the shores of the Barents Sea, about the unholy powers of the state and the church bearing down on one man and his family. A 'sweeping, curious and bold' parable says our critic.
Set Fire to the Stars, Fri Nov 7
Elijah Wood stars in this poetic, tastefully shot biopic of Dylan Thomas, focusing on his ill-fated tour of the United States in the 1950s. Contains astounding supporting turns from Kelly Reilly and Shirley Henderson too.
The Imitation Game, Fri Nov 14
Another biopic, this one depicting an episode in the life of computing godfather and WWII Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the complicated lead role, unafraid to play the mathematician as awkward and almost comically stand-offish.
Graeme Stephen Quartet - Nosferatu, The Queen’s Hall, Wed Nov 19
Award-winning jazz guitarist Graeme Stephen brings his band together to perform a new score for FW Murnau’s classic 1922 silent take on the Dracula myth. The former church hall of The Queen’s Hall should make for a suitably atmospheric venue.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Thu Nov 20
The first part of the final chapter of Suzanne Collins’ much-loved book series sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence in the role that’ll be on her tombstone) take on the oppressive government of Panem, led by Donald Sutherland’s cadaverous President Snow.
Winter Sleep, Fri Nov 21
Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan returns to the barren steppes of his motherland for a challenging, intelligent depiction of the power struggles within relationships and communities.