What's on in Hull: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 10 January: Ferens Open Exhibition

16 October 2026 to 10 January 2027, during gallery opening hours | Local art exhibition | Ferens Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Square, Hull | Free, drop in.

See painting, photography, textiles, sculpture and ceramics by amateur and professional artists. Hull's annual Open Exhibition has celebrated local creativity since 1967, and much of the work on display is for sale.

7 November: History Makers paper fireworks

Saturday 7 November, 10am to noon | Family crafts | Hull History Centre, Worship Street, Hull HU2 8BG | Free, drop in; under-16s need an adult.

Make scratch-card firework art, paper rockets and sparklers in a self-guided Lego and craft session. All ages welcome.

7 and 21 November, 19 December: History Centre tours

Saturdays 7 and 21 November and 19 December, 11am to noon | Behind-the-scenes tours | Hull History Centre, Worship Street | Free; advance booking required.

Visit the strongrooms and conservation areas and see historic documents. Reserve a place by phone, email or at the enquiry desk.

13 November: Zoe Rahman Trio

Friday 13 November, 8pm | Hull Jazz Festival concert | Godber Studio, Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway, Hull | £15; students and under-26s £6 with ID.

Zoe Rahman performs music from Hull Suite Live with Alec Dankworth and Gene Calderazzo. The music draws on voyage, migration, the sea and connections with Hull. The running time is approximately two hours and ten minutes including a break.

19 November: Hull Christmas lights switch-on

Thursday 19 November, timetable to be confirmed | City-centre festive celebration | Hull city centre.

Hull's current Christmas programme confirms the switch-on date and a small seasonal market on King Edward Street. Follow the city's visitor-information page for the final entertainment and timing details.

21 November: Bright Places creative workshop

Saturday 21 November, 10.30am to noon | Creative workshop | Godber Studio, Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway | Free; book through the theatre.

Rae Mainwaring leads writing and conversation about finding joy in difficult times. Created for people living with MS or chronic illness and their friends and family, the session also welcomes anyone who feels they would benefit. You do not need to have seen the related play.

21 and 22 November: Hull Christmas Festival

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November | Market, entertainment and rides | Hull city centre | Check the programme for opening times and individual attraction charges.

The city's announced weekend programme combines seasonal shopping, food and drink with stage entertainment and rides. Use the official visitor-information page for updates as the event approaches.

From 27 November: The Wind in the Willows

Selected performances from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family theatre, recommended ages 7+ | Stage 1, Hull Truck Theatre | Advertised tickets £11 to £35; concessions available.

Mole, Rat and Badger try to rescue Toad and his home in a new musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's story. The opening pay-what-you-can performance is marked sold out. The remaining run includes relaxed, baby-friendly, BSL, captioned and audio-described performances.

December 2026

5 December: History Makers Christmas crafts

Saturday 5 December, 10am to noon | Family crafts | Hull History Centre, Worship Street | Free, drop in; under-16s need an adult.

Personalise a gift bag or make cards, baubles and window decorations. Materials are provided for this self-guided craft session.

5 December: The Portuguese House

Saturday 5 December, 2pm | Independent cinema, certificate 12A | Reel Cinema Hull | Ticketed; use the organiser's booking link for prices.

Hull Independent Cinema's Saturday matinee is part of its October to December season. This screening is at Reel Cinema; other films in the programme take place at Middleton Hall, so check the venue when booking.

From 10 December: Hansel and Gretel

Selected performances from Thursday 10 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family theatre, recommended ages 3 to 6 | Godber Studio, Hull Truck Theatre | £15; concessions £2 off.

A modern version of the fairytale follows two siblings into the woods and towards a mysterious gingerbread house. Performances take a relaxed approach to noise and movement, and a BSL-interpreted show is listed for 2 January.

From 10 December: The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

Selected performances from Thursday 10 to Thursday 31 December | Family pantomime | Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, Hull HU1 3HF | Prices advertised from £21.50; concessions vary.

Brendan Cole returns as Captain Hook alongside Jennie Dale, Phil Walker and Jack Land Noble. The theatre's calendar includes a BSL-interpreted performance on 15 December at 7pm. Hull New Theatre is a separate venue from Hull Truck.