Struggling with what to get them? Here are our top 10 suggestions this Christmas...

For the crafter

There's just one week left of our Christmas selling show, This Winter, at Bonhoga. There's aneclectic array of artwork in a variety of mediums from some of Shetland and the UK’s finest artists, designers and makers. The Own Art scheme is available on selected hand made pieces too, meaning you can spread the cost over 10 months interest-free.

This Winter takes place at Bonhoga until Sun 22 Dec.

For the punk

We’re delivering you the alternative Burns Nicht this January with ska-punk band The Hostiles, supported by Shetland’s very own Big Time Quell. Based in Ayr, Scotland, The Hostiles were recently described by Discovered Magazine as “the band marrying ska and pop punk like no other in 2019.”

Super Saturday featuring The Hostiles and Big Time Quell takes place at Mareel on Sat 25 Jan 2020.

For the TikTok obssessed

Learn how to EDIT films! Suitable for beginner - intermediate filmmakers. Sessions are run by Keiba Clubb, a local film maker who also lecturers in film on the NC and Vocational Pathways courses we teach here at Mareel. We've also got Film Crew Junior for ages 7 - 11 from Sat 11 Jan 2020, a fun and creative way to learn all the basics to filmmaking, including recording, lighting, directing and editing. Participants will learn how to create stories and make these into films.

Creative Lab: Filmmaking and Editing takes place every Tuesday from 4 Feb - 25 Feb 2020 - booked as a block.

For the cyclist

Around the World in 80 Days - Mark Beaumont set out to make this Victorian fiction a two wheeled reality. Having smashed the circumnavigation cycling World Record twice in his career, he now holds this 18,000 mile title in a time of 78 days and 14 hours, averaging 240 miles a day. Hear from Mark and see a selection of film and photos from his fantastic journey.

Around the World in 80 Days - An Evening with Mark Beaumont takes place at Mareel on Fri 7 Feb 2020.

For the jazz fan

The Norman Willmore Quartet blends Scandinavian and Appalachian folk music with elements of free jazz as well as arrangements of old wartime songs and hymns always played with a sense of humour, and with respect to the tradition. The concert will be a live recording which will make up the quartet's new album, so expect fresh material at this gig.

The Norman Willmore Quartet play at Muckle Row Hall on Fri 7 Feb 2020.

For the folky

RANT is the meeting of 4 of Scotland’ s finest fiddle players, featuring Shetland's own Bethany and Jenna Reid alongside Lauren MacColl and Anna Massie. Joining forces, they create a sound which is both rich and lush, yet retaining all the bite and spark synonymous with a Scottish fiddle player.

RANT perform at Mareel on Mon 10 Feb 2020.

For the filmy

Love Cinema? Our cinema memberships are just the ticket! If you come to the cinema at least once a week a cinema membership could save you pounds - choose our Gold or Silver membership for 3 months or a year.

Discover more about our Memberships.

For the dancer

Using their distinctive mixture of dance, theatre and storytelling, choreographer Joan Clevillé (Scottish Dance Theatre) and acclaimed performer Solène Weinachter present Antigone, Interrupted, an intimate solo work, performed in the round, re-imagining the Greek tragedy of Antigone for contemporary audiences.

Antigone, Interrupted takes place at Mareel on Thu 27 Feb 2020.

For the drama queens (and kings)

Waves is the tale of Elizabeth Moncello and how, growing up on Gabo Island (Australia) in the 1930s, by emulating fish, penguins and dolphins to learn how to swim, she came to be the unofficial inventor of the butterfly stroke.

Waves takes place at Mareel on Fri 3 Apr 2020.

For the dreamers

Planning for a wedding, partnership, or renewal of vows in 2020? Or maybe you're going to pop the question this Christmas? We have a number of dates available for hiring Mareel or Bonhoga in 2020 and 2021 for weddings and ceremonies. If you’d like to talk to us about hiring one of our spaces, book an appointment with us by getting in touch on [email protected] or call 01595 743843.