12 best events of 2020 to look forward to
Refusing to get drawn into any kind melancholic reflection, we're already looking ahead to some of the best events coming up in 2020, creating your cultural calender for the new year with one ace event each month, enjoy!
January
If your little ones are dino mad, make sure you take them along to get up close to the most feared and revered of all the dinosaurs at Tyrannosaurs, a new cutting-edge exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland. Opens 23 January and runs until 04 May. Click here to book now.
February
Strictly fans won’t want to miss their favourite celebrity couples take to the dance floor once more as the Strictly Arena Tour arrives in Glasgow this month hosted by flame-haired former winner Stacey Dooley. See them strut their stuff for the judges at The SSE Hydro from 01 to 02 February. To book, call 0844 395 4000 or click here.
March
Get ready to be seduced by the glamorous, glittering world of the ‘20s and ‘30s as the National Portrait Gallery presents Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things, a major new exhibition exploring the leading cast of the era seen through the lens of the renowned British photographer and golden boy of Vogue. Opens 12 March, runs to 07 June. Tickets available here.
April
Featuring an impressive array of local and international artists, Glasgow International is one of the UK’s largest and most influential art festivals. This year’s programme features 60 new exhibitions and events taking place across the city from 24 April to 10 May including the first UK exhibition of work by the late Congolese sculptor and artist Bodys Isek Kingelez, following a recent retrospective of his work at MoMA, New York. Click here for more information.
May
Fresh off the back of headlining Glastonbury, The Killers have announced a major UK tour including one Scottish date at Falkirk stadium on 28 May. The sure-to-sell-out gig celebrates the spring release of their hotly anticipated sixth studio album, Imploding The Mirage. You’ll find any remaining tickets here.
June
Broadway’s smash-hit musical, Book of Mormon, arrives at Edinburgh Playhouse from Wednesday 17 June – Saturday 04 July. Written by the brains behind South Park and the songwriter behind Disney’s Frozen and Coco, the multi-award winning show follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from their home in Salt Lake City. Performances always sell out so snap up any remaining tickets now here or here.
July
Scotland’s biggest music festival is back for another legendary weekend on Glasgow Green from 10 to 12 July. This year’s TRNSMT promises the biggest names in rock and pop with the headliners announced as the Courteneers, Liam Gallagher and Lewis Capaldi; who will be joined on the line-up by Ian Brown, Blossoms, Rita Ora and Snow Patrol among many others. Grab your tickets here.
August
This year’s installment of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe promises over 3,500 shows for festival-goers to enjoy from 07 to 31 August. The first batch of shows will be announced on 30 January, with more released each month until the full programme launch on 10 June. Stay up to date here.
September
If you like your popstars to feature high on the diva scale, you won’t want to miss the chance to see super-songstress Celine Dion when her Courage World Tour arrives at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro on 11 and 12 September. The tour celebrates the release of Dion’s first English language album in six years. Snap up tickets here.
October
Explore the history of club culture at the V&A Dundee’s latest exhibition, showcasing the evolution of nightclubs all the way from the Studio 54 days to Manchester’s Hacienda hey-day, right up to more recent concepts like Ministry of Sound. Opening on 31 October, Night Fever: Designing Club Culture runs until 14 February 2021. Tickets available here.
November
Prepare to be dazzled as the multi award-winning West End production of Dreamgirls stops off at Edinburgh Playhouse on its first ever UK tour. The musical which inspired the Oscar-winning movie follows Effie, Lorrell and Deena as they embark on a musical rollercoaster in 1960s America. Opens 24 November and runs until 05 December. Book online here.
December
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay gets bigger and better every year so prepare for the most memorable street party ever with the brightest stars, the boldest fireworks and the most fun-loving crowd in the world. Stay up-to-date with confirmed acts and ticket release dates here.