Down

Cinderella, one of the most famous fairy-tales by the Brothers Grimm, is always popular in its many forms and adaptations. The rags-to-riches figure has had young girls dreaming of becoming a modern day Cinderella for many years.  Come along and see 2nd Skin Theatre Company’s adaptation of this endearing fairy tale and you won’t be disappointed. Web Theatre, Newtownards, Friday 12^th and Saturday 13^th December.

Armagh

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the Ancient Cathedral City of Armagh. Soak up the magical atmosphere and ‘make merry’ this Christmas with events for all to enjoy. Throughout the season, there is a full calendar of activities including Armagh’s panto spectacular ‘Scrooge’s Christmas’, Santa’s magical event ‘Ice Capades at Navan’ and Christmas workshops and demonstrations. Armagh City Centre will also be full of Christmas cheer with festive entertainment, late night opening and Santa’s FREE magical workshop.

Fermanagh

The Grand Hall at Castle Coole will be brought to life this Friday and Saturday with festive music and favourite Christmas carols performed by Fermanagh Choral Society. Booking essential. Contact 028 6634 8249. Performances begin at 8pm.

Tyrone

Join St. Joseph’s Brass Band for this children’s classic of the film adaptation of Raymond Brigg’s enduring Christmas tale at the Alley Theatre Strabane this week from Tuesday until Thursday. St Joseph’s Brass Band will perform Howard Blake’s uplifting music while school choirs will sing enchanting music such as ‘Walking in the Air’ as you watch the film on a big screen.  This performance will be a great way to start Christmas!

Derry

A gigantic beanstalk, Daisy the cow, magic beans, a goose that lays golden eggs and the nastiest of giants – it’s panto time again at the Millennium Forum! The Millennium Forum is well known for its outstanding Christmas pantomimes and this year’s production promises to be the best yet. Telling the story of peasant boy Jack and his attempts to please his impoverished mother and win the hand of Princess Jill, JACK AND THE  BEANSTALK remains one of the best-loved pantomimes of all time. Packed with great song and dance routines, hilarious comedy, dazzling scenes and magical special effects, JACK & THE BEANSTALK is fun for all the family from 4-94! Stars William Caulfield and runs until 4^th January.

Antrim

Come and meet Santa at Breckenhill! He is back at his Grotto in the barn again until Saturday 13^th December, waiting to meet lots of children and find out what they want for Christmas!  Also, enjoy the woodland walk, pat the donkey, munch on sausages and marshmallows from the brazier, write a letter to Santa, play some games, and have a lovely hot dog and a hot or cold drink!

Belfast

Have a blast at the Mac’s Festive Family Fun Workshops which run until Saturday 13th December.  Alongside the marvellously, magical Christmas show, we will be running some curiously creative workshops – inviting your little ones to explore Christmases past with our artists.  You’ll get to make delicate trinkets and clever Christmas cards with a twist, and lots more besides.

Looking for a visit to Santa with a difference? Come and join our Nearly Christmas Tour this Saturday on High Street in Bangor and help the elves find the famous man in red! We need lots of detectives to join in the hunt!

Special prizes will be given to the children who track Santa down!

Taking place on Saturdays 13 & 20 December, the Nearly Christmas Tours, hosted by

Young At Art are hilarious high-energy events and fun for children of all ages. Mums and Dads are also welcome!

The tours take place at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm each day and last approximately 45 mins.

Tickets cost £1. Booking is essential.

Tickets on sale at Bangor Visitor Information Centre

Tel: 028 9127 0069

Santa has been kidnapped by a naughty elf and is being held captive somewhere on High Street in Bangor – can you help us find him?  We need lots of children to join in the search!

Special prizes will be given to the children who track Santa down!

The Nearly Christmas Tours are coming to Bangor’s High Street this December with a high energy, exciting hunt for Santa led by a pair of mischievous elves – one will help you find the famous man in red – the other will throw you off the scent!

Taking place on Saturdays 6, 13 & 20 December, the Nearly Christmas Tours, hosted by Young At Art promise to be fun entertaining events for children of all ages.

The tours will take place at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm each day.  Tickets cost £1 each and are on sale at Bangor Tourist Information Centre – pre-booking is essential as space is limited on each tour. 

There’s lots of other festive entertainment happening around the Town Centre in the run up to Christmas too; look out for a selection of brass bands performing traditional Christmas music each Saturday in December outside The Danske Bank.

And there are lots of other activities happening on Main Street too as part of the “Main Street My Street” programme of events.  On Saturday 13 December, Matthew Malcolm, The Buskfest 2014 winner will be entertaining the shoppers.  On  Friday 19 December Toby Pine Cone, The Christmas Elf will be in town  and then on Saturday 20, Borris & Ricardo and The Christmas Elf Rickshaw will be making an appearance from 1 – 3pm.

So come on down to Bangor this December, join in the fun and get that Christmas shopping started!

For further information, please phone our Visitor Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

Celebrate traditions old and new at The Argory this Christmas. With exciting and beautiful winter wonderlands to discover, Christmas fairs to enjoy, festive entertainment, mulled punch, mince pies and a famous chap with a white beard and a red suit, The Argory has it all wrapped up!

Visit the magnificent Victorian estate for the Christmas Fair on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December from 11.30am-5.30pm. Once again, The Argory will come to life with almost 60 craft, food and gift stalls, stocking everything from jewellery and home furnishings to handbags and hats, gourmet sausages and ciders. Visitors can also stock up on seasoned firewood for the cold winter months and get the pick of the bunch from the beautiful range of Christmas trees.

Coalisland and St. Mark’s silver bands will transport visitors to a bygone age with the sounds of fabulous festive entertainment, and on Saturday 6 December there will be a unique performance from Dungannon’s Bella Voce Youth Choir.  Visitors can also enjoy afternoon tea in the house with a festive twist and see Santa and Mrs Claus in the grotto. Finally, experience the estate, like never before with a magical horse drawn carriage ride.

Step away from the hustle and bustle of the High Street and see The Argory in a whole new light this Christmas. For one night only, the house and courtyard will be festively decorated and open to visitors. At The Argory all a Glow, visitors can join the Housekeeper, Lady Bond and their guests as they celebrate a MacGeough-Bond Christmas Party. Experience a delicious festive tea in the beautiful Octagon Room, mulled punch and chestnuts in the Courtyard and enjoy music from St. Patricks Grammar School Choir, Armagh. The Argory all a Glow takes place on Thursday 11 December from 5.30-8.30pm.

For magic and memories this Christmas, visit The Argory. For further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/argory or facebook.com/NationalTrustMidUlster

The Market Place Theatre is delighted to present ‘Night Music’, a series of classical concerts featuring top classical performers with the opportunity to enjoy wine and tapas before the show.

The Christmas show will welcome classical music at its best with “the ABBA of classical music”! The ConTempo Quartet are winners of 14 International Prizes, and have performed in more than 1400 concerts around the world. The performance will include ‘Rider Quartet’ by Joseph Haydn, Beethoven’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ string quartet opus 18 no1. The Concert will finish with Schubert’s Cello Quintet.

Night Music with The ConTempo Quartet will take place on Friday 5^th December at 8pm. Tickets are priced £14.50 or £12.50 (concession) for the performance only, or £20.50 or £18.50 (with tapas and a glass of wine from 7pm).

If swing is more your thing, you’ll love ‘Crooning At Christmas’, a musical tribute to the Yuletide season with Emmerdale star Liam O’Brien who comes direct from playing Dean Martin in the West End hit ‘The Rat Pack’.

A 10th anniversary tour full of seasonal hits like ‘White Christmas’, ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’, ‘Let It Snow’, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ and many more, the Irish ambassador of swing promises you a sentimental journey with hits by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. A night for every lover of swing and jazz, by a world class vocalist with the superb ‘Million Dollar Swing Band’ guaranteed to please.

‘Crooning At Christmas’ will take place on Thursday 11^th December at 8pm. Tickets are priced £15 each.

Tickets for all performances can be booked on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Armagh City will once again light up for Christmas on Saturday 29^th November with a state-of-the-art Georgian Day animated lightshow providing the most spectacular Christmas party in Northern Ireland.

The brand new lightshow ‘A Winter’s Tale’ will form part of the annual Georgian Day celebrations which take place in Armagh City Centre from 10am to 8pm. Due to high demand,  this year’s shows must be pre-booked at www.armagh.co.uk/lightshow.  Shows are free to attend and take place at 5.00pm, 6.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.00pm.

‘A Winter’s Tale’ will be a show to remember, providing an evening of high-energy entertainment in front of an audience of thousands. A truly unmissable experience for children and adults alike as the beautiful Market House bursts into life with a dramatic lightshow projected onto the building. Set to a mix of popular and festive music, the show will transform the building into a shimmering canvas for images, special effects and new for this year live stage action. No Christmas light switch on would be complete without a visit from Santa…so boys and girls better watch out, as Santa Claus is coming to town in the show’s grand finale!

The event is part of the City’s annual and much-loved Georgian Day celebrations, which are now in their eleventh year.  As one of the most exciting and unique events of the Christmas calendar, Georgian Day sees the city of Armagh transformed with market stalls offering stunning gifts and food to excite the Christmas shopper. The event will be in full swing from 10am to 8pm, with a wide range of activities for all the family to enjoy. During the day, the streets will be bustling with people as festive music, horse-drawn carriage rides and the smell of mulled wine and warm mince pies exude a unique Christmassy atmosphere for all to enjoy. A festive market with stalls from all over Northern Ireland will be packed with unique, handmade and unusual gifts whilst Georgian characters roam the city streets telling stories about the etiquette of Georgian life in the city. New for 2014 is also a mix of creative craft workshops at The Shambles Yard in Armagh including workshops in Georgian Appliqué and personalised Georgian Christmas decorations. Workshops must be pre-booked at www.armagh.co.uk/georgian.

A spokesperson for Armagh City & District Council comments: “Georgian Day is a great day out for all the family and there is no end to the entertainment on offer. The day would not be complete without a dramatic lightshow finale providing the biggest Christmas party around and opening the doors in spectacular style to a month of festive celebrations throughout December’

To make things easy for visitors, there will be a free ‘park and ride’ scheme running from Elim Church, Armagh Business Park and the Navan Centre & Fort. For more information contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 3752 1800 or visit www.armagh.co.uk/georgian.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (December 1-7).

• Santa’s Magical Island, Rams Island, Lough Neagh, Co Antrim, December 5-7. For the first time ever, Ram’s Island will be transformed into a winter wonderland, adorned with decorations and illuminated with fairy lights.  This unique ‘Santa’ experience will take place for one weekend only, and will include a ride aboard the Elf Quad Train, toasting marshmallows at the camp-fire, kid’s treats, and a gift from Santa Claus, there might even be a glass of mulled wine for the adults!  Booking is essential.

• Days Of Christmas Past, Ulster American Folk Park, Co Tyrone, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21. This festive season takes the family back in time to experience the magic of a truly traditional Christmas. Visit the toymaker in his workshop, let the Folk Park Mummers entertain and amuse you, taste delicious seasonal treats and meet Santa and Mrs Claus who have a gift prepared for every child!

• 8th John Joe Gordon Trad. Weekend, Black Cat Cove, Belleek, Co Fermanagh, December 5-7. The fun filled weekend begins with an opening concert featuring all-Ireland Accordion Champion Mickey Curran playing in the Black Cat Cove, amongst many others. Visitors will be able to enjoy a range of traditional culture from fiddle and dance workshops to singing sessions throughout the exciting three day event.

• Carols by Candlelight, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, Co Down, December 5.  Sing traditional carols and listen to seasonal readings in the atmospheric lamp-lit Omagh Meeting House and celebrate Christmas as they did in times gone by.

• Children’s Day, Lissan House, Drumgrass Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, December 7. Enjoy a day for the kids at this enchanting country residence set within a 260 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry with storytelling, craft work, letters to Santa and refreshments accompanied with a visit to Santa.

• Festive Carol Concert, Stormont Parliament Buildings, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, December 5. This wonderful evening promises to get you in the Christmas spirit with seasonal readings and performances from highly regarded Soprano, Lynda Barrett, and the fabulous Methody Choir. Following the concert guests will be treated to mulled wine and mince pies in the wings of the Great Hall.

• Christmas Wonderland at The Jungle, 60 Desertmartin Road, Moneymore, Co Londonderry, December 5.  Meet Santa and his colourful Elves at The Jungle! Explore the woodland petting farm where activities and tasty treats are on offer.  New attractions include Santa’s house and Elf workshop complete with special sound effects and lighting.

• Mystery of the Christmas Star Digital Theatre Show, Armagh Planetarium, Co Armagh, December 1-6. Join Armagh Planetarium as they journey back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem. This modern retelling of the Christmas story in the Digital Theatre will charm and captivate audiences of all ages.

• An Creagán Christmas Craft Fair, Coolnharen Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, December 6. A perfect day out and a great opportunity for the family to choose handmade original gifts from special presents to simple stocking fillers, while enjoying the seasonal atmosphere in the beautiful surroundings. Children can meet Santa in his grotto and Yuletide musical entertainment will bring the season to life as festive aromas fill the air.

• Ulster Orchestra Christmas Concert, Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor, Co Down, December 4. The Ulster Orchestra will deliver a cracker with this year’s Christmas Concert, providing a jolly blend of traditional carols and favourite orchestral music that can’t fail to put you in the Christmas Spirit.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

Down

Holywood Christmas lights switch on by the Mayor of North Down takes place at  4.30pm this Saturday at Holywood Library, with Christmas themed activities throughout the town and in Holywood Library from 11.00am to 6.00pm including a Christmas market and family entertainment.

Armagh

Armagh’s much loved Georgian Day returns for its eleventh year on Saturday 29^th November, to mark the beginning of the Christmas season.  See Armagh in all its festive glory, sparkling with lights as the City goes back to its Georgian roots.  Adding to Armagh’s established retail offering will be over 50 festive stalls, hosted by traders in Georgian costumes, lining the streets for a unique experience that cannot be missed.

Fermanagh

Share Discovery Village will be hosting a Christmas food and craft fair on Saturday the 29th of November from 12noon-4.00pm.  Stalls are available for sellers for £15.  It promises to be a great family fun day out with Santa arriving and a bouncy castle for the kids.  Stock up on your Christmas shopping!

Tyrone

Omagh’s Christmas lights will be switched on this Thursday 27^th November. Entertainment will begin at 6.30pm with music by the Whistling Donkeys, St Connors PS Choir and local singer Sinead Taggart. Special guest this year is Nathan Carter and his band with the evening concluding with fun and Christmas festivities with Santa himself parading through High Street. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 8pm. To facilitate the switch on event, a temporary street closure on High Street will be in operation from approximately 4.30pm – 9.00pm.

Derry

Magherafelt District Council will once again be serving up a treat with their Speciality Christmas Market which will run over three days  from Friday 28^th November (6pm-10pm), Saturday 29^th (10am-10pm) and Sunday 30^th (2pm-6pm). In addition, Magherafelt Council has arranged FREE car parking in the Pay and Display Car Parks from Thursday 27^th November until Sunday 30^th November 2014.  On Saturday the 29th November at 7.00pm join Cool FM for a captivating evening of festive fun, with prize giveaways and the arrival of Santa and a fanfare of fireworks. Together these events will bring a fabulous atmosphere to Magherafelt and an even better aroma.

Antrim

Join Mr Hullabaloo, Jingles, and a sparking cast of characters at the Courtyard Theatre Newtownabbey in an enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers and magic spells.  The team that brought you Cinderella, Aladdin, Snow White and Jack and the Beanstalk returns with a brand new production of Sleeping Beauty that will have you singing, dancing and clapping along! Sleeping Beauty opens Friday 28^th November.

Belfast

Jack and the Beanstalk is brought to life by a fabulous cast of larger than life characters this year at the Waterfront Hall this Christmas. Children will love being part of this magical adventure as it unfolds, cheering the goodies, booing the baddies and joining in with the catchy sing-along songs! Jack and the Beanstalk opens on the 27^th November.

The Holywood Christmas Switch On is taking place this Saturday, 29 November and will include an action packed programme with entertainment for all the family in Holywood Town Centre.

The highlight of the day will be Santa arriving on a military fox led by The Royal Scots Borderers 1^st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland Pipes and Drums  with The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Peter Martin who will be  switching  on the lights at 4.30pm. The switch on will be taking place at the Christmas tree outside Holywood Library.

The streets will be hiving with activity with performances from The Singing Elves, a Santa letter-writing workshop, a Christmas card-making workshop, a magician, face-painting, stilt walkers and so much more!

There are a host of other things happening throughout the day too. Come along and enjoy The Christmas Market which is taking place on High Street.  From 11am, over 30 unusual stalls, from local traders, will be selling their Christmas themed wares with plenty of delicious food on offer too.

Also situated at High Street, there will be a giant inflatable snowman which kids can enter and enjoy a disco complete with flashing lights!  Guaranteed to be a hit with the little ones!

There are activities taking place inside The Library too where The Holywood District & Community Council are running an action-packed programme (from 11am) which will include children’s activities, crafts and demonstrations.

Commenting on the event, North Down Borough Council’s Tourism Manager; “Alison Stobie said: Everyone is invited to come along to Holywood to soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas Switch On and enjoy a day of good cheer with lots of Christmas shopping and don’t forget the whole event is free!”

Also commenting on the day, Town Centre Manager Stephen Dunlop said: “Holywood always produces an excellent Christmas fair and every year it’s different and exceptionally well supported. Saturday 29 November will be a magical day and Santa will be on the street collecting Christmas letters from all the children so I would advise getting there early and shop local this Christmas.”

And the Christmas fun doesn’t end there! Project 24 is also hosting a whole array of fantastic Christmas events which will be fun for the whole family taking place at various locations around the town. Called “The Fairy Tale of Bangor,” the fun starts on Friday 28 November at 4pm in Ward Park where children can enjoy an afternoon of fairy tale entertainment, story-telling and lantern-making in “The Enchanted Garden.”

Then at 5.30pm, the Lantern Parade will leave Ward Park and guided by rainbow lights will make its way back to Project 24 via Prospect Road and High Street for the Christmas Light Switch on and Winter Wonderland.

Browse the Festive Market for some Christmas shopping, get creative and make your Letter to Santa, visit Santa’s Grotto and deliver your letter personally! And don’t miss Santa on his sleigh with his reindeer and so much more including a bouncy castle, photo booth, face painter and live music!

The Grand Switch On will take place at 6.30pm with The Mayor of North Down & Special Guests.

Watch out for Fairytale Characters giving away chocolates throughout the locations – find the Golden Ticket to receive VIP Treatment for ‘Movie in the Hub’

The village of Groomsport will also be switching on their lights on Friday, November 28. There will be a short carol service for children and adults starting at 6.30pm in Groomsport Presbyterian Church, then The Mayor of North Down will switch the lights on at 7pm.

Please note these are primarily outdoor events, please dress appropriately. All events are subject to change. Admission and activities are all FREE.

For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

We have four great give aways running at the moment.

To be in with a chance of winning a family pass to the Jungle NI’s Christmas Wonderland Experience click HERE

To win tickets to the opening night of Tinseltown at Theatre at the Mill click HERE

To win one of 5 pairs of tickets to the festive Crooning at Christmas at the Market Place Theatre Armagh click HERE

Win passes to Santa’s Red Letter Day at the Crawfordsburn Country Park – click HERE