December is packed with things to do - we couldn't possibly fit them all in - but here are some of the highlights to help you see the year end with a bang. Ready? Here we go...
Things to do
Medicine & History Lecture Series, Thackray Medical Museum, Sat Dec 6, £12.60-£16
Once a month the museum hosts its ever-popular lectures covering diverse subjects from across medicine. Insightful and entertaining, the series is a fantastic opportunity to hear from eminent speakers from a variety of fields.
Art
Lygia Clark: Organic Planes, Henry Moore Institute until Jan 4, free
The Brazilian artist's 1960 piece, 'Creature Passing Through Space', is accompanied by several of her collages.
Ursula von Rydingsvard, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, until Jan 4, free
Over 40 pieces in this exhibition follow the American artist's career over several decades.
Fiona Banner: Wp Wp Wp, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, until Jan 4, free
Banner's new piece, two rotating Chinook helicopter blades, has been getting a strong and positive reaction, and you can see accompanying supporting work too. It's a powerful installation.
Cross Currents, Leeds Art Gallery, until Mar 21, free
Taking pieces from the gallery's French collection, this exhibition includes work by Rodin and Degas.
Narrating Objects, Leeds Art Gallery, until Mar 21, free
Key sculptures from the Leeds collections are combined with film, photography and text to reveal the stories connected to each work.
Museums & Attractions
Roman Empire: Power and People, Leeds City Museum, until Jan 4, free
A treasure trove of over 160 stunning artefacts from the British Museum is brought to Leeds to explore the Roman Empire’s immense wealth and power. This touring exhibition demonstrates how the Romans viewed their provinces and other peoples.
Music & Nightlife
Sun Kil Moon, Brudenell Social Club, Mon Dec 1, £25
Mark Kozelek’s Sun Kil Moon project, originally a continuation of the ’90s band Red House Painters, is experimental, understated folk at its finest.
The Who, First Direct Arena, Tue Dec 2, from £67.75
Classic British rock doesn't get more authentic than this, with the still tremendous band belting out all the hits. Support from Maximo Park.
Basement Jaxx, O2 Academy, Thu Dec 4, £25
If you think this band can get the party started in your own home, wait until you see them live...
Darkside, Fab Café, Thu Dec 4 and weekly, free
May the force be with you as you strut your stuff on the dance-floor.
In The Basement, Baby Jupiter, Dec 5, free
Bring the working week to a close in style in a friendly, hip mix of soul, affrobeat and reggae.
2ManyDJs, O2Academy, Fri Dec 5, £20
The ever popular brothers are joined by those cuddly boys, 2 Bears.
Tropical Hotdog, Baby Jupiter, Fri Dec 12, free
Laid back house with free entry, but a donation to a local dog rescue charity is welcomed. Now that's nice!
Leeds Punk Rock Christmas, Brudenell Social Club, Sat Dec 20, £10
A showcase of local punk talent headed up by 90s band Argy Bargy. Eight bands for a tenner? Bargain!
Theatre
Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas, West Yorkshire Playhouse, until Jan 3, £10-£12
Good to see this one back after such a successful run last year, this should be top of any family trip to the theatre this yuletide.
Top Hat, Leeds Grand, until Jan 11, £22-£47
Winner of three Olivier awards, this musical harks back to the classic Hollywood film of the same name. If you like tap, this would fill a bath in no time.
Snow White, Carriageworks Theatre, until Jan 10, £9.50-£18
Bargain price traditional panto from the beloved Disney film.
White Christmas, West Yorkshire Playhouse, until Jan 17, £12-£33
If you've ever caught the film on TV, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, you'll know what to expect from this wonderful story of two ex-soldiers now Broadway stars, helping out their old general whilst falling in love (not with each other). Dreaming of white Christmas? Of course you are.
James and the Giant Peach, West Yorkshire Playhouse, until Jan 24, £9-£18
Something with a bit of bite for the family doesn't come with sharper teeth than a bit of Roald Dahl, and this story of a young boy's adventures in, you guessed it, a giant peach, doesn't disappoint.
Film
New releases this month include:
Exodus: Gods and Kings
Ridley Scott tells the story of Moses in his usual low key style, minimal effects and tight budget. Just kidding. It's HUGE!
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The absolute final part of the trilogy which is a prequel to the other trilogy, making it six films in all.
Big Eyes
Tim Burton can go from the sublime, ('Pee Wee's Big Adventure', 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Ed Wood') to the just plain awful ('Planet of the Apes' anyone? No?), but he's got Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz here in what sounds like his best film for a while.
Plan all of you cinema-going here.