Gef’s What’s On: Tractors, Bikes, & Bling

Honestly, have you STILL not sorted out your social life? Right. I’ve picked out another selection of things happening around the island this weekend for you but you really do need to sort your s**t out. Otherwise you’re going to end up like Norman Bates.

WINTERFEST No 6

*Great for you creatives who love music and a little bit of scandal. Sorry, drama.

When: Friday, 8 December

Where: Gaiety Theatre

Time: 7:30pm

Price: Varies. Get your tickets here.

Manannan himself has put together this concert to celebrate Manx Christmas traditions through the island’s finest exponents of classical, folk, brass and choral music, with a sprinkle of local humour and drama thrown in for good measure.

Santas on a Bike

*Reindeers made redundant in charity fundraiser.

When: Saturday, 9 December.

Where: TT Grandstand – Peel – passing through Foxdale on the return – festive finale at the Hospice

Time: 9am

It’s being organised by plan.com – the guys with the cool, Bond villain looking building in the middle of town – & is being used to raise money for Hospice Isle of Man Rebecca House. So, clearly the Bond villain image is just a ruse. Visit www.plan.com/soab/ for more information or reach out to santas@plan.com if you’d like to contribute on the day.

Young Farmers Tractor Run goes North

*Great for people who can’t get enough of tractors.

When: Saturday, 9 December

Where: Ramsey – route can be found here.

Time: 3pm on both days

I went to see the YF Tractor Run a couple years ago. Who knew something so agriculturally mechanical could be so magical. It was an unexpectedly wonderful combine-harvester-ination. (I tried to merge combine harvester and combination… Sorry.) It was so wonderful in fact, I attempted to commandeer one of them. I did not make it home. Tractor’s can’t out-run a police van. All donations will be split evenly between Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation and Hospice Isle of Man.

Ramsey in Bling Tour

*Magical for those of you who enjoy judging other people’s decorating abilities. Or lack thereof.

When: 10&11 December

Where: Ramsey. Find the route here.

Ramsey Commissioners community competition ‘Ramsey In Bling’ is back. Every year, people help spread Christmas cheer (or are just in it for the glory) by adorning their homes, properties, or businesses with enough festive decorations to make Buddy the Elf blush. The tour guide of all the blinging properties taking part can be found on the Ramsey Town Commissioners website, where you can also vote for your favourite. Follow the guide and have a lovely, festive stroll about the town taking in the warm glow of people’s efforts and bitching about how you would have done it better.

Douglas Christmas Market

*Yes. ANOTHER Christmas market.

When: 9 & 10 December

Where: Market Street, Douglas

Time: 10am-4pm

Price: Depends what you buy.

There’s going to be more than 40 local traders there. A perfect opportunity to help give local businesses a boost before Christmas.

Isle Listen 5k Christmas Fun Run

*For the ones who like to make everyone else feel bad about themselves at Christmas.

When:  Saturday, 9 December

Where: Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey

Time: 4pm-5:30pm

Price: £5 – All money raised goes to Isle Listen

If you’re one of those active sorts who wants to work off the inevitable 29 pigs in blankets consumed on Christmas Day in advance then you could take part in Isle Listen’s Christmas Fun Run (5km). Christmas attire is encouraged. The run, (you will be punished if you even THINK of jogging or, heaven forbid, STROLLING), will start and end on Ramsey prom. The route is flat and there’ll be a stop for a Christmas drink at the half way point where the best dress will be announced. All ages and abilities are welcome. You just have to drop the charity a message on Facebook if you’d like to join in.

That’s your lot for this week. Whatever you do, don’t try and steal one of those pretty tractors. You’ll end up in a cell. But then at least you’ve made it out the house.