Party In A Car Park, Watch A Ballet That’s Not Boring And More Stuff To Do This Weekend

The winter themed extravaganza that won’t feel like you’re partying in an overpriced car park

*Winterville @ Victoria Park, London *

Dec 5,6,7

If Laurence Llewelyn Bowen has only taught us one thing since Changing Rooms, it's that 1) MDF is ok 2) throw pillows solve everything and 3) Velvet on a man is never ok and 4)it’s that hosting a Winter Wonderland is full of pitfalls. His ‘Magical Journey’ got off to a slower start than anticipated when it was accused of being cheap, with long waiting times and for some reason having a 'pointless' elf who looked like Simon Cowell. Hopefully, Winterville will have learned from his mistakes, with a v.tempting Ice Rink, Roller Disco, Fairground and Ferris Wheel set in a winter-fied area of Victoria Park. On weekends’ you can also get down for FREE Bugged Out nights (listen up for raved up versions of All I Want For Xmas Is You) and Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures in the Speigeltent (listen up for original All I Want For Xmas Is You being played more than once).

The festival that celebrates beer rather than Jesus

Summerhall Beer Festival, Edinburgh

Dec 5, 6

Like winter? Like beer? Then Edinburgh Summerhall’s FestivALE (their bad joke not ours) will be back this year with the best Scottish craft beer, local gin and rum. From this weekend Fridays after work will be Power Hour, with a reduced price entry ticket (£6 including two drinks tokens) and a line up of ale appropriate DJ’s aka plenty of soft rock. If you’re not into ale yet, put on your best plaid, some winter boots.

The thing that’s not on this weekend but you should definitely book

Watch & Wolf: Gremlins @ Hawthornden Theatre, Edinburgh

Dec 11, Dec 18

OK, OK, OK so it’s not technically this weekend but it’s something to plan for next week. At the Hawthornden Cinema in Edinburgh Jelly & Gin (they specialise in 'Unforgettable Edible Adventures' they’ve planned a series of classic winter family films paired with appropriate snacks. They say 'At Watch and Wolf, viewers can fully immerse themselves i na film by eating and drinking along with the characters'. You’ve already missed Elf, but there’s a showing of the always-brilliant Gremlins on Dec 11 and the Wizard of Oz on Dec 18. One of the only time it’s going to be 100% ok to munch loudly in the cinema.

The ballet that will change your mind about ballet once and for all

Edward Scissorhands @ Sadler’s Wells, London

Various dates in December

If you haven’t been to a ballet in the past few years - why not? Ballet Revolution featured at this year’s Latitude Festival and the English National Ballet made it’s debut at Glastonbury Festival, as the first main stage act on the Sunday. Add in the fact that Jamie xx is soundtracking a performance at next year’s Manchester International Festival and it feels like the dance is going to continue to be more mainstream than ever. This month, Matthew Bourne and the New Adventures company bring classic Johnny Depp/Tim Burton Film back to dance. Looks magical.

The gallery that will become a rave up

*Rinse FM @ Tate Lates, Tate Modern, London *

Fri Dec 5

As part of their 20th birthday celebrations and the Tate Late series, influential radio station Rinse take over the Southbank based gallery tonight. Following on from 2013’s huge and messy Warp party it’s heavier on the installations, art and talks (from London designer Nasir Mazhar, Venus X, DJ Spoony, DJ Ben UFO, Filmaker Rollo Jackson & more) rather than dancing (SOPHIE and Koreless play live) but will still be a fascinating night and essential look into the now & future of fashion, music and more.

The most winter-appropriate 90s group that you’ll want to cuddle with a loved one/ scream with your girls at

Boyz II Men @ IndigO2, London

Dec 5

Boyz II Men @ Albert Hall, Manchester

Dec 7

Boyz II Men are most definitely men now and, with their 11th album ‘Collide’ out they’re coming to the UK for a smoochy, smooth winter tour. Dress your best (sparkly dresses and fanciest coats allowed) and prime yourself for waving along to ‘End Of The Road’, ‘I’ll Make Love To You’ and countless other slow jams. Then promise to never go and see an act that you were actually too young to really enjoy the first time round EVER again. Let’s make 2015 the year of new music only.

Like this? Then you might also be interested in:

How To Go Out Without Actually Leaving Your House

How To Throw The Perfect Christmas Party With Your Mates

Here's Team Debrief's Best Hangover Cures To Help You Get Through December

Follow Sian on Twitter @SianRowe_

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.