Celebrate the festive season in style with these highlights from the winter’s events calendar.
Sing songs merrily on high - traditional carols, readings and choral works by the Abbey Choir in the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Abbey - 13th December www.westminster-abbey.org/christmas-concert.
The live stage show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman with music and lyrics by Howard Blake. When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. On their travels, they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and crowds of the Snowman’s friends. Presented by Birmingham Repertory - www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-snowman-2
Skate at Somerset House presented by Tiffany & Co - Head to the Strand for a fun filled day sliding across one of London’s favourite ice rinks 22nd Nov - 22nd Jan - www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink
The World of Alice - Delight in Lewis Carroll’s tale, as Tate Liverpool stages an exhibition on the far reaching influences of Alice in Wonderland - www.tate.org.uk/liverpool
Gourmet Carols by Candlelight, Yorkshire - Enjoy a three course, Swiss inspired meal, accompanied by carols from some of Yorkshires most beautiful voices at Betty’s in Harrogate - www.bettys.co.uk/events main.asp
The Royal Shakespeare Company present Roald Dahls Matilda the musical, a real treat for Christmas - Cambridge Theatre London - www.matildathemuscial.com
Raymond Gubbays Christmas Festival – a variety of wonderful and entertaining shows from Christmas Classics with Lesley Garratt to Anton Du Beke’s Christmas Cracker, hosted at the Royal Albert Hall - www.raymondgubbay.co.uk
Birmingham Royal Ballet present the Nutcracker, a spectacular Christmas treat you will never forget - 27th - 30th December - www.theo2.co.uk
Christmas with the Puppini Sisters’, Birmingham Town Hall Wednesday 7th December - This vocal trio, loosely based on 1940s close harmony, is backed by a thumping, grinding swing-punk band. Flamboyantly styled, witty and highly musical, the Sisters perform re-workings of wartime classics, imaginative arrangements of camp pop songs and a plethora of exciting original material - www.thsh.co.uk/view/christmas-with-the-puppini-sisters
Caribbean Christmas Fair in Leeds, Sat 26th November 2011: 10am - 7pm Sun 27th November 2011: 10am - 5pm. Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7PA. Entry is £2 and FREE for kid. Santa will be there from 12 on both days & Jack Sparrow will be making an appearance on Sunday.
Pantomimes in the UK 2011/12 - the Big Panto Guide is here to help you find a pantomime in your area to visit for Christmas - www.bigpantoguide.co.uk