For full details of all special and regular events and festivals, pick up a What’s On brochure at your local library or visit What's On (external link)
Arts
Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
01942 404469
Sat 7 Nov to Sat 2 Jan
LAWRENCE ISHERWOOD
Rarely seen collection of the famous Wigan painter’s work.
Wed 13 Jan to Wed 10th Feb, 1pm - 3pm
WATERCOLOURS FOR BEGINNERS
New afternoon timeslot for this popular course.
£25 for 5 week course
Parks and countryside
Booking essential where phone number provided
Wed 9 Dec and 13 Jan, 11am
POOLSTOCK & WIGAN FLASHES HEALTH WALK
Jay Dee’s car park (formerly Beer Engine), Poolstock Lane, Wigan.
Two hour walk for intermediate walkers.
01942 233976. Free.
Sun 13 Dec, 1pm - 3pm
CHRISTMAS WREATH & CARD
Haigh Country Park.
Make a Christmas wreath and hand made card. For 5+.
01942 832895. Free.
Sun 13 Dec, 1pm - 3pm
CIRCULAR BIKE RIDES
Lilford Park, Leigh.
Traffic free route. Bikes and helmets can be provided.
01942 720453. Free.
Wed 16 Dec, 1pm - 3:30pm
LEYLAND PARK RAMBLE
Gentle walk through Low Hall Nature Reserve and around Amberswood. Meet Park Road entrance.
01942 720453. Free.
MAKE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS OR A WREATH FROM NATURAL MATERIALS
1. Sat 19 Dec, 1pm
Jubilee Park, Ashton.
01942 245369.
2. Sun 20 Dec, 1pm
Mesnes Park, Wigan.
01942 245369.
3. Mon 21 Dec, 1pm
Alexandra Park.
01942 245369.
4. Tue 22 Dec, 1pm
Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh. 01942 605253.
Sun 20 Dec, 1pm
WINTER BEGINS
Pennington Hall Park.
Festive activities in the bandstand. Sing along with the band and see Father Christmas in his Grotto.
01942 720453.
Sun 20 Dec, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
WINTER STROLL
Haigh Country Park.
Winter walk through the quiet lanes of Haigh. 01942 832895. Free.
Sun 20 Dec, 9:30am - 12pm
WILDFOWL AND WINTER VISITORS
Pennington Flash, Leigh.
See how many species can be found.
01942 605253. Free.
Mon 21 Dec, 10am
CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN DAY
Highfield Grange Community Centre, Highfield Grange Avenue, Wigan.
Make Christmas decorations from natural materials and fresh apple juice from the autumn harvest.
01942 233976. Free.
Sat 26 Dec, 10:30am
BOXING DAY RAMBLE
Orrell Water Park.
4-5 mile walk over Billinge Hill.
01942 245369. Free.
Sun 27 Dec, 10am - 4pm
THREE SISTERS TO PENNINGTON FLASH CIRCULAR
From Three Sisters through Viridor Wood and Abram Flashes, arriving at Pennington Flash then return to Three Sisters. 01942 605253.
Sun 3 Jan, 9:30am - 12pm
NEW YEAR BIRDWATCH
Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh.
Walk around the reserve to see how many species can be found.
01942 605253. Free.
Haigh Hall
01942 832895 to book except where otherwise stated
Sun 6, 13 and 20 Dec
CHRISTMAS LUNCH & AFTERNOON TEA
1 course - £10.95, 2 course - £12.95, 3 course £15.95. Full traditional meal with all the trimmings.
Thu 10 Dec & 17 Dec,
7pm - 1am
FAWLTY TOWERS
Enjoy Christmas dinner in the company of Basil, Cybil and of course Manuel. £35.
Thu 10 Dec and Fri 11 Dec, 7pm - 1am
A CHRISTMAS MURDER MYSTERY
It’s Christmas Eve at the North Pole and Rudolph has gone missing. Join Dick Twittington, Buttons and Puss as they try to help Santa. £33.
Tue 15 Dec, 7pm
CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT
The Cathedral Choir of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Contemporary and traditional music for Christmas.
01942 825677. £14.
Wed 16 Dec, 7pm
EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE WITH DAVID TRAYNOR
Welcome to David Traynor for a festive performance.
01942 825677. £12.
Thu 17 Dec and Tue 22 Dec & Wed 23 Dec, 7pm - 1am
CASINO PARTY NIGHTS
Fun money supplied so you can gamble without breaking the bank! Tables include roulette, black jack and stud poker. £32.
Father Ted
Fri 18 Dec, 7pm - 1am
FATHER TED
UK Theatre Touring Company, Laugh Lines, with a unique party evening. Enjoy Father Ted’s confession box, the priest’s cabaret, Mrs Doyle’s River Dance class and the Craggy Island disco. £35.
Fri 25 Dec
CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER
A Christmas meal with all the trimmings prepared by Haigh’s own chef. £65 adults, £28 children aged 3-12.
Fri 22 Jan, 8pm - 12am
5 STAR SWING EVENING
Evening of swing, includes buffet and bar. 01942 825677. £23.
Heritage events
Booking essential on Wigan Heritage Service (external link)
Mon 21 Dec to Tue 22 Dec, 1pm - 3pm
STIR THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Haigh Hall.
Find out what goes into a pudding and why it is lucky to stir it. Special performance of ‘A Pudding made in Wigan’. 01942 828128. £4 Children, £3 Adults.
Wed 13, 20 & 27 Jan
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
Wigan Library, College Avenue.
How to research your family tree - for beginners with local family connections. 01942 828128. £2.50.
Leisure Venues
Fri 4 Dec & Fri 8 Jan, 8pm - 11:30pm
LEIGH PHOENIX NCDSW - SOCIAL DANCES
Formby Hall, Alder Street, Atherton.
For over 45s, divorced, widowed or separated. 01942 222537.
£2.50 (member) £3.50 (visitor).
Fri 18 Dec
LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS
Monaco Ballroom, Hindley.
01942 825677.
Thu 24 Dec
CHRISTMAS EVE DANCE
Monaco Ballroom, Hindley.
50/50 Social Dance with compere Philip Hurst. Free glass of sherry and hot pot supper.
01942 777627. £7.50.
Thu 24 Dec, 8pm
LEIGH PHOENIX NCDSW - CHRISTMAS EVE DANCE
Lowton Civic Hall, Hesketh Meadow Lane, Lowton.
Christmas Eve buffet dance.
01942 222537. £8.
Tue 12 Jan to Wed 13 Jan
MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION
Robin Park Arena.
40 quality layouts. 01942 828550.
Libraries
Libraries are holding Christmas crafts and parties leading up to the festive season. Contact your local library for details.
Mon 7 Dec to Fri 18 Dec
TYLDESLEY LIBRARY CENTENARY
Tyldesley Library celebrates its centenary this December with two weeks of events. Main celebrations on Saturday 12th. include storytelling, an author visit and local history talk. 01942 404738 or visit Wigan Libraries (external link)
Community events
Music, pantos, talks and dances
Wed 25 Nov to Sat 5 Dec, 7pm
AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG
Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan.
Affectionate wartime comedy. 01942 242561.
£8, Conc £6.
The award winning cast of Tyldesley Little Theatre (see Community Events) 28 Nov & 26 Jan.
Sat 28 Nov to Sat 5 Dec (not 30 Nov or 3 Dec)
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Tyldesley Little Theatre, Lemon Street.
22nd family panto with the usual fun and frolics. 01204 655619. Tyldesley Little Theatre (external link)
Wed 2 Dec 7.30pm – 10.30pm (and 1st Wed of each month)
WIGAN UKELELE CLUB
All players welcome.
Info from Stephen 07981 976904 or Wigan Ukelele Club (external link)
Thu 3 Dec, 8pm (and most Thursdays)
ATHERTON & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The Clubroom, Back Stanley Street, Atherton.
New members welcome.
Email ADAPS
Sat 5 Dec, 11am – 3pm
FESTIVE FAMILY FUN DAY
Whitley Methodist Church, Spencer Rd, Wigan.
Games, Christmas music, cake stall, bulbs and plants, tombola…
Sat 5, 12, 19 Dec (and most Saturday nights) 7.30pm
WIGAN PHOENIX SOCIAL DANCES
St.Wilfrid’s Parish Hall, Church Street, Standish.
Make new friends in a safe, relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Wigan Phoenix (external link)
£2.50 (member) £3.50 (visitor).
Sun 6 Dec, 2:15pm
LEIGH MUSIC SOCIETY
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
Junior School at the RNCM. 01942 674808.
£7, Concessionary £3.
Tue 8 Dec, 6pm - 8pm
FLOWER POWER
Tudor House, 8 Liverpool Road, Hindley.
Make a Christmas Wreath.
07535 463689. Free.
Fri 11 Dec, 6pm
(parade starts)
ATHERTON NATIVITY PARADE
The nativity story told whilst parading around the town centre – with real donkeys.
Sat 12 Dec, 7:30pm
WIGAN MUSIC SOCIETY
Whitley Methodist Church, Spencer Rd, Wigan.
Christmas Concert with The Ladybridge Singers. 01257 462138 or 01942 238520.
Adult £6/£5, conc £5/£4, students £1.
Mon 14 Dec, 7:30pm
WIGAN CIVIC TRUST
Drumcroon, 2 Parsons Walk, Wigan.
History of Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls. 01942 245777 or 01942 211279.
Wed 16 Dec, 12pm
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Parish Church, Wigan.
Wed 16 Dec, 7:30pm
CONCERT
The Beeches Restaurant, Standish
In aid of the Mayors Charity.
Fri 18 Dec, 7:30pm
(and most Fridays)
LEIGH ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre.
01942 874956.
Sat 19 Dec, 1pm
THE BIG CAROL SERVICE AND NATIVITY PARADE
Market Place, Wigan Town Centre. Free.
Also Lowton St Luke’s Church Choir will be carol singing in the Grand Arcade and collecting for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.
Sat 19 Dec, 7.30pm
WIGAN CHORAL SOCIETY
St Michael’s Church, Wigan
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Orchestra.
01257 422551.
Tue 22 Dec, 2.30pm
NEARLY THE GOAT
St Anne’s Church, Shevington.
Family show with a new slant on the nativity. 01257 253795.
Sun 10 Jan, 2:15pm
LEIGH MUSIC SOCIETY
Derby Room, Turnpike Centre.
Daniel Chandler (flute) & Stewart Death (piano).
01942 674808. £7, Conc £3.
Fri 15 Jan to Sat 30 Jan, 7pm
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street.
Fun packed panto for the whole family.
01942 242561.£8, Conc £6.
Tue 19 Jan, 6pm - 8pm
FLOWER POWER
Tudor House, 8 Liverpool Road, Hindley.
Hyacinth Workshop - getting ready for Mothers Day.
07535 463689. Free.
Tue 26 Jan to Sat 30 Jan
LADIES DAY
Tyldesley Little Theatre, Lemon Street.
Get out the big hats and posh frocks - four fish-gutters from the North go to the races and experience how the other half lives. 01204 655619. Tyldesley Little Theatre (external link)
Every Tues at Formby Hall, Atherton, Every Wed at Newtown Labour Club
MODERN JIVE DANCE
Keep fit and socialise
Learn 2 Jive (external link)
