Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

Down

Join in the festive fun and entertainment at the Christmas Lights Switch on in Dromore town centre this Saturday 1st December. There will be carol singing and festive fun in the market square, followed by free Santa’s grotto for the kids and a craft market for the grown-ups with lots of entertainment and fun for everyone!

Armagh

Leave winter behind this Christmas and escape to balmy oriental nights as The Market Place Theatre takes you on a high-flying, magical carpet ride headed for the exotic and mystical lands of The East, with the spectacular and breathtaking pantomime ‘Aladdin’.  Join a cast of well-loved characters including old Widow Twanky and her poor son Aladdin, and let your imagination take flight with this action-packed and mesmerizing pantomime. 1st to 23rd December.

Fermanagh

This Saturday 1st December will see the Christmas lights switched on in Irvinestown. Come along and enjoy the festivities as Irvinestown lights up for Christmas with a fun day and bazaar in the Church of Ireland Hall with Santa in attendance.

Tyrone

Little Red Riding Hood & The Silly Billy Wolf comes to the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown this Sunday afternoon, 2nd December.  This colourful, fast–paced all singing and dancing show is a fun and gentle re–telling of the classic fairy–tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red Riding Hood is adventuring through the woods to visit her Granny, but somewhere along the way the Silly Billy Wolf is waiting. Children with have great fun joining in on the action, singing songs and playing games and meeting some amazing characters in this original show, written especially for this touring spectacular.

Derry/Londonderry

Join Seamus Heaney HomePlace for some Christmas celebrations on Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December. Opening times are: Friday: 3pm-7pm (last admission 6pm), Saturday- 10am-4pm (last admission 3pm).  Listen to Mrs Claus read tales of Christmas adventure, take part in the sparkling arts and crafts, get your photograph taken with Santa Claus himself and receive a special present and finally, make your way through the candy cane garden to collect as many candy canes as you can.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Antrim

Colin Glen Forest Park hosts their annual Santa Run & Walk this Saturday 1st December!  Get in the festive mood & get fit for the Christmas Break. Take on the 5K Santa Run & Walk at Colin Glen Forest Park and help raise funds for 2 great causes. All you need is a Santa Hat and your running gear. Santa Hats are provided!  Location: Colin Glen Forest Park. Registration Open from 11:15,  Race starts at 12 Noon Sharp.  Price: £12pp. Entry Fee includes medals, prizes, timing chip & bib, Santa Hat, AND a Goody Bag!. Profits from the run will be split between Colin Glen Trust and Glen Parent ‘families in need appeal’.

Belfast

Be a Claus for a good cause!  This year’s Santa Dash is on Sunday 2nd December at 10.00am, kicking off from Writers Square in Belfast City Centre.  It’s a fun-filled morning for families and friends. With hundreds of Santas expected to join in at the biggest Dash yet!  There are two options to get involved in. Join Santa and the Cool FM Breakfast team on his sleigh as they sing carols and wander on the 2K family walking route. Or take part in the official verified and timed new 5K route and get your PB in a Santa suit! All 5K participants will receive a Santa Dash finishers medal.  Registration  is £7.50 per adult for the Original 2K Dash and £25 for the 5K, and includes your free Santa suit!  Visit cancerfocusni.org to register.  Every pound from registrations and sponsorship will go towards the Family Support Service which helps local children when a significant adult in their lives has cancer.

 

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

Jacqueline McGonigle