'Tis the season of festive fun for all the family

Cinderella in the Gaiety

A selective guide by Sylvia Thompson and Arminta Wallace to the yuletide delights awaiting children and music lovers in the run-up to Christmas

Pantomimes 

ARMAGH 

Aladdin Traditional pantomime. Market Place Theatre, Armagh. Until Dec 21, various times. £8-£12, 048-37521821, marketplacearmagh.com

BELFAST 

Robin Hood Starring panto regulars, Dan Gordon as Nanny McGee, Christina Nelson as Fryer Tuck and Chris Robinson as the Sherriff of Snottingham. Belfast Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Place, Sat Nov 29-Jan 10, various times. £15/£10, 048-90334455, waterfront.co.uk

Mother Goose Northern Ireland's grand dame of pantomime, May McFettridge stars as Mother Goose in this traditional show. Grand Opera House, Great Victoria St, Sat Nov 29-Jan 17, various times. £6.50-£23.50, 048-90241919, goh.co.uk

CLARE 

Cinderella Pantaloons presents its traditional pantomime. Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis Dec 27-Jan 3, 2.30pm, also Dec 27 at 7.30pm. €15, 065-6843103, glor.ie

CORK 

Sleeping Beauty Traditional pantomime written and directed by Bryan Flynn and starring Carol Anne Ryan as Sleeping Beauty and Eoin Cannon as Prince Charming. Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Dec 5-Jan 11, various times. €26-€31, 021-4270022, corkoperahouse.ie

Red Riding Hood A modern take on this traditional tale starring Jim O'Sullivan, Fionnuala Linehan and directed by Catherine Mahon-Buckley. Everyman Palace, Cork City, Dec 6-Jan 11, various times. €20/€25, 021-4501673, www.everymanpalace.com

DONEGAL 

Sleeping Beauty Ulster Theatre Company presents this traditional pantomime. An Grianán, Letterkenny, Dec 2-13, various times. €15.50/€10.50, 074-9120777. angrianan.com

DUBLIN 

Cinderella The longest-running traditional pantomime in town, starring Richie Hayes, Maria McDermottroe, Leanne Moore and Shane O'Reilly. Gaiety Theatre, South King St, Nov 30-Feb 1, various times. €16.50-€34, 01-6771717, gaietytheatre.com

Peter Pan This not-so-traditional pantomime is written by Karl Broderick and directed by Daryn Crosbie. Panto regulars Alan Hughes and Joe Conlan are joined this year by Big Brother winner, Brian Dowling. Tivoli Theatre, Dec 11-Jan 25, various times. From €25, 01-4544472/4544473, tivoli.ie

Aladdin Just back from her role in Grease in London, Susan McFadden joins veteran comedian Noel V Ginnity, Little Becky and the Koolpops in this traditional pantomime with a cast of 100 children. Olympia Theatre, Dame St, Dec 19-Jan 4, various times. From €20, 0818-719330, ticketmaster.ie

Sleeping Beauty A newcomer this year which promises all the razzle and dazzle of traditional pantomime. Written and directed by Karl Harpur. The Helix, DCU, Glasnevin Nov 29-Jan 4, various times. €24/€28.50, 01-7007000, thehelix.ie

Sleeping Beauty Ulster Theatre Company presents this traditional pantomime. Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dec 20-Jan 4, various times. €20-€16, 01-4627477, civictheatre.ie

Little Red Riding Hood Holding Court Theatre presents family pantomime. Axis, Ballymun, Jan 8-25, various times. €12/€7, 01-8832100, www.axis-ballymun.ie

Dick Whittington and his Cat Coolmine Panto Group presents this classic pantomime Draíocht, Blanchardstown, Jan 3-10. €20, 01-8852622, draiocht.ie

Snow White The Lambert team put its puppets in pantomime mode for this festive show. Lambert Puppet Theatre, Clifton Lane, Monkstown, Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and Dec 26-Jan 6, 3.30pm. €13/€10, 01-2800974, lambertpuppettheatre.com

GALWAY 

Beauty and the Beast Renmore Pantomime Society presents its annual traditional pantomime, directed by award-winning twins, Brian and Seán Power and featuring the Renmore Smurfs. Townhall Theatre, Dec 30-Jan 18, various times. €16/€14, 091-569777, townhalltheatregalway.com

Snow White Performing Arts School Galway promises lots of laughs and magic for all ages. Black Box, Townhall Theatre, Dec 28-Jan 4, various times. €16/€14, 091-569777, townhalltheatregalway.com

LIMERICK 

SnowWhite.com CentreStage Productions take Information Technology into the realms of comedy in this year's pantomime. LIT Millennium Theatre, Dec 27-Jan 11, various times. €18.50, 061-322322, litmt.ie

Robinson Crusoe The Limerick Panto Society has chosen a swashbuckling adventure story for this year's traditional pantomime, with RTÉ's Emma O'Driscoll as special guest. University of Limerick Concert Hall, Dec 27-Jan 4, various times. €16.50-€19, 061-331549, www.uch.ie

Children's theatre/storytelling 

DUBLIN 

The Old Curiosity Shop A new version of Charles Dickens's classic tale, directed by Alan Stanford and starring Barbara Brennan, Donna Dent and Conor MacNeill. Gate Theatre, Cavendish Row, Dec 6-Jan 10, various times. €25-€34, 01-8744045, gate-theatre.ie

Peter Pan A new stage version of the famous novel by JM Barrie, adapted by Martin Murphy and directed by David Horan. Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dec 26-Jan 18, various times. €20/€14, 01-2312929, paviliontheatre.ie

Christmas Shows at Farmleigh House , Phoenix Park Christmas puppet show, Rudolf's Silly Billy Christmas, Dec 6 noon, 1.45pm 3.30pm; Christmas Magic Show Dec 7, 13 21, 1.30pm 3.30pm; Christmas puppet shows, Dec 14 20 noon, 1.45pm 3.30pm. Storytelling Dec 6, 14, 20, 12.45pm, 2.30pm 4.15pm Dec 7, 13 21 noon, 2.45pm 4.45pm. Adm free, no booking necessary, 01-8155900, farmleigh.ie

LIMERICK 

A Fairytale Christmas Find out what happens when some uninvited fairytale villains turn up at Cinderella's Christmas party in this production from Talisman Theatre Company (aged 4+). Limerick University Concert Hall, Dec 15, 10.30am, Dec 16, 10.30am 12.15pm. €13.50/€12.50, 061-331549, uch.ie

A Christmas Carol A toned-down version of Charles Dickens's classic tale from Talisman Theatre Company, Limerick University Concert Hall, Dec 15 10.30am, Dec 16, 10.30am 12.15pm. €13.50/€12.50, 061-331549, uch.ie

The Green Man Dandelion Seed Puppet Theatre uses marionettes, shadow and glove puppets in this tale about a lost fox cub who finds courage to save the forest (ages 6-10) Belltable @ Red Cross Hall, Cecil St, Dec 9-13 15-19, 10am noon. €10/€8, 061-319866, belltable.ie

TIPPERARY 

Peter Pan A new stage version of the famous novel by JM Barrie. The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Dec 12-14 16-21, various times ( as at the Pavilion above). €20, 0504-90204, thesourceartscentre.ie

WICKLOW 

Maisy Daly's Rainbow Tall Tales Theatre Company present this dance theatre show set in the 1940s (ages 6-12). Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Dec 29-31, noon 4pm. €8.50, 01-2724030, mermaidartscentre.ie

Concerts, musicals, dance shows and circuses 

DUBLIN 

Christmas Concerts at the Ark Nico Brown Martin Brunsden, until this Friday, 10.15am 12.15pm; Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Mel Mercier Size2shoes, Nov 29 30, 2pm 4pm; Brian Fleming, Gabriel Akujobi, Solomon Ijigade and Gwenn Frin, Dec 2-5, 10.15am 12.15pm; Liam Ó Maonlaí, Dec 6, 2pm 4pm; Cor na nÓg, Dec 3 7pm; Robbie Harris, Emer Mayock, Francesco Turrisi and Nick Roth, Dec 20 21, 2pm 4pm. The Ark, Eustace St, Temple Bar. €12/€8, 01-6707788, ark.ie

The Snowman Movie Back again this year is this classic Christmas film with narration by Craig Doyle and music from the National Concert Hall Orchestra. National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dec 14-Dec 20, various times. €20/€15, 01-4170000, nch.ie

A Christmas Carol Festival Productions is back with a new fully staged production of this family musical, directed by Vivian Coates National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dec 27-30 Jan 2 3, various times, €18-€34, 01-4170000, nch.ie

The Wizard of Oz Back by popular demand is the screening of this classic movie to live orchestral accompaniment by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Mahony Hall, The Helix, DCU, Dec 3-5, 8pm. €25-€35, 01-7007000, thehelix.ie

Fossett's Christmas Circus Taking up residency in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Fossett's promises all-traditional circus acts. Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Nov 29-Jan 4. From €15, 1890-247287/ 0818-205205, fossettscircus.com

GALWAY 

The Twelve Days of Christmas A performance for families by Galway Choral Association Chamber Choir, St Patrick's Band Hall (next to Galway train station), Dec 7, 2pm. €5, 091-569777, galwaychoral.ie

KERRY 

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Musical theatre show from UK Productions. INEC, Killarney. Until Sat Nov 29, various times. €33.20-€43.70, 064-71555, inec.ie

Disney's High School Musical A stage version of this popular film. INEC, Killarney. Jan 7-18, various times. €35.70-€43.70, 064-71555, inec.ie

WICKLOW 

There's a Snail in the Garden Songs, jokes and organised chaos performed by Dermot Carmody and Morgan C Jones (ages 4-10). Greystones Theatre, Dec 20, 2pm. €10, 01-2871755, greystonestheatre.com

ON TOUR 

Santa and the Magical Christmas Tree A new show with lots of songs from director Michael Scott and writer Shay Healy (ages 3-11). Birr Theatre Arts Centre, Birr, Co Offaly, today 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 045-448333, birrtheatre.com; Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Co Kerry, tomorrow 9.30am, 11am 12.30pm, 066-7123055, siamsatire.ie; Excel Theatre, Tipperary, Friday 11.30am 1pm, 062-80520, tipperary-excel.com; The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co Tipperary, Sunday Monday, various times, 0504-90204, thesourceartscentre.ie; Briery Gap, Macroom, Co Cork, Dec 2, 10am 11.30am, 026-41793, brierygap.com; Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, Co Westmeath, Dec 3, 10am 11.30am, 090-6492129, deancrowetheatre.com; The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin, Dec 8-9, 9.55am, 11.15am 12.35pm, 01-2969340, milltheatre.com; Townhall Theatre, Galway, Dec 15-19, 9.30am 11am, 091-569777, townhalltheatregalway.com; Millennium Theatre, LIT, Limerick City, Dec 22, 9.45am, 11am 12.15pm, 061-322322, litmt.ie

Santa and the Penguins Another musical show for children from Michael Scott and Shay Healy (ages 3-11). Seámus Ennis Centre, Naul, Co Dublin, today 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 01-8020898, seamusenniscentre.com; Venue Theatre, Rathoath, Co Meath, Nov 27-28, 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 01-6895600, venuetheatre.ie; St Michael's Theatre, New Ross, Co Wexford, Dec 1, 10am 11.30am, 051-421255, stmichaelsnewross.com; Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford, Dec 2-3, 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 053-9123764, wexfordartscentre.ie; Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford, Dec 4-6, various times, 051-855038, garterlane.ie; Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare, Dec 8-10, 10am, 11.30am 1pm, 045-883030, moattheatre.com; The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, Dec 11, 10.15am, 11.30am 12.45pm, 071-9650828 thedock.ie; An Táin Theatre, Dundalk, Co Louth, Dec 12 10am 11.30am, 042-9332276, antaintheatre.com; The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin, Dec 15-23, various times, 01-2969340, milltheatre.com

The Nutcracker Forty stars from the Irish National Youth Ballet Company perform with dancers Juliana Bastos and Jerome Buttazzoni from French company Ballet Du Capitole. O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Great Denmark St, Dublin, Dec 5, noon 8pm; Dec 6, 3pm 8pm, €18/€10, 0818-205205; Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dec 12, noon 8pm; Dec 13, 3pm 8pm, €18/€10, 01-2312929 paviliontheatre.ie

On Ice 

BELFAST 

Dundonald International Ice Bowl Ice-skating and figure-skating lessons at the only Olympic-size ice rink on the island of Ireland. Daily, various times. £4.50-£6.50, 048-90809100, theicebowl.com

CORK 

Cork on Ice Ice rink at the Eastgate Business Retail Park, Mon,Tues, Thurs, Fri from 4pm; Wed from 2pm; Sat/Sun from 11am. Last session at 9pm daily. €10-€14 children, €12-€16 adults, 1890-388388, corkonice.com

DONEGAL 

7UP Christmas on Ice A new ice rink in Letterkenny. Until Jan 4. €15/€12, 0818-717200, 7upchristmasonice.ie

DUBLIN 

Dublin On Ice Smithfield's ice rink is now a regular part of Christmas fun. Sunday-Jan 30 (closed Christmas Day). Daily 10.15am-10pm. €16/€12, 1890-255355, dublinonice.ie

7UP Christmas on Ice Now in its sixth year at the RDS and second year at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, the rinks include a children's sleigh run, a beginners' rink and the main rink. RDS, Ballsbridge and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, daily (closed Christmas Day) until Jan 4 (Liffey Valley) and Jan 11 (RDS); Mon-Fri 10.50am-10.30pm; Sat/Sun 9.30am-10.30pm. €11-€18 (ice-skating only) 0818-717200, 7upchristmasonice.ie

KERRY 

Ireland on Ice The ice rink in Killarney is part of a wider festive mood in the Kerry town. Beech Road, Killarney, Dec 4-Jan 4, various times. Adults €12-15; children €8-12, 1980-987887, killarneyonice.com

Workshops 

DUBLIN 

Christmas family art holiday This annual event gives children a welcome opportunity to express themselves through visual art following the extravaganza of Christmas. National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dec 28-30, 3pm-4.30pm. Free, no booking necessary, 01-6615133, nationalgallery.ie

Christmas art workshop at the Chester Beatty Taking inspiration from the library's treasures, children will make their own Christmas tree decorations (ages 6-11). Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dec 6, 2pm-3.30pm. Adm free but booking essential, 01-4070750, e-mail: educationservices@cbl.ie

Christmas workshops at the National Museum Family workshops, demonstrations, singing and a Christmas trail at the Christmas open day. National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Dec 6, 11am-5pm. Adm free, 01-6486453, museum.ie. Make your own Christmas nativity set (ages 6+) at the crib workshop, Collins Barracks, Dec 14, 3pm. Adm free, 01-6486453, museum.ie

Christmas Art Workshops at the Dublin City Gallery Make your own Christmas cards (Dec 6, 3pm; ages 6-10) or your own angels (Dec 30; ages 3-6). Dublin City Gallery, Parnell Square North. €5, 01-2225550, hughlane.ie

MAYO 

Christmas Workshops Celebrate Christmas with a variety of hour-long workshops (ages 7+) and visit the Christmas food fair, Dec 13, 11am-5pm; adm free. Make a mummer's mask (ages 7+), Dec 16, 2pm-3pm; adm free. National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, 094-9031751, museum.ie

Festive Films 

Niko and the Way to the Stars Animated tale of a young reindeer who, despite suffering from vertigo, takes flying lessons from a squirrel. On general release

The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D Reissued in 3D format, Tim Burton's 1993 animated film, in which the King of Halloweentown discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand it. On general release

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Already a huge hit in the US, this animated comedy sequel offers new adventures for the escaped New York zoo animals. Opens Dec 5

Inkheart A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook's hero. Cast includes Brendan Fraser, Andy Serkis, Paul Bettany, Elisa Bennett and Helen Mirren. Opens Dec 12

The Tale of Despereaux Voiced by Matthew Broderick, the title character of this animated tale is a mouse born with oversized ears. Opens Dec 19

Bedtime Stories Disney comedy with Adam Sandler as a hotel handyman whose elaborate tales become true. Opens Dec 26

Plenty of choice for panto season? Oh yes there is . . . 

• SLEEPING BEAUTY at Dublin City University's Helix theatre will be the new show in town when this year's pantomime season kicks off later this week. And writer and director Karl Harpur is the new kid on the block . . . Oh no he isn't . . . Well, okay he has acted in several pantomimes, written some and now Theatrework Production's traditional pantomime will be his second time as director (he directed another version of Sleeping Beauty at Liberty Hall in 2006). "I've been involved in pantomime for the last 14 years and I'm really excited about this show as it's the first time ever that the Helix will have a fully professional pantomime," says Harpur. He's also chuffed (and others are probably miffed) that the erstwhile star of rival pantomimes, Michael Grennell, will play the Dame. Deirdre Monaghan will play the evil queen, Jealousia, and former Eurovision singer Joe McCaul will be Dame Lola's sidekick.

• The rowdiest pantomime in town, Peter Pan , has moved to the Tivoli Theatre from its previous home in Liberty Hall. "When we realised we couldn't secure Liberty Hall, the Tivoli was a natural choice for us. There's still the intimate feel that is so part of our shows," explains Alan Hughes (Sammy Sausages) who, along with the inimitable Joe Conlon (as Buffy), is joined this year by Big Brother winner Brian Dowling. "We've given him the role of a spoilt Captain Hook . . . which is a perfect fit for him," says Hughes.

• You're a Star winner Leanne Moore is joined by Killinascully 's Widow Gilhooly (Maria McDermottroe) and the ever-popular Richie Hayes (who made a comeback last year as Buttons) in the Gaiety's pantomime, Cinderella. Drawing the largest audiences of them all, this pantomime will be directed again this year by Carole Todd. And for those of you keeping tabs, there are other versions of Sleeping Beauty at Cork Opera House, the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, and at An Grianán in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. There are also at least three productions of

• Snow White (including one Snow White.com in Limerick), two Aladdins, two Little Red Riding Hoods but only one Beauty and the Beast . There is also one Mother Goose , one Robin Hood , one Peter Pan and one Robinson Crusoe . So, take your pick!

 •This Christmas you can listen to Irish traditional music merge with rap and pop, watch line dancing from Ghana, and sing along with hymns and Christmas carols from around the world - all features of this year's concerts at the Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin. The programme of world music includes an impressive range of musicians including Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Mel Mercier, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and the RTÉ's Cór na nÓg. "We were delighted to secure these world-class musicians who are so fantastic musically and have such a child-friendly sensibility," says Ark director, Eina McHugh.

• If you're looking for another alternative to large-scale pantomimes, consider the stage adaptation of JM Barrie's Peter Pan, showing both at the Source Arts Centre in Thurles, Co Tipperary, and at the Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire. If it's as good as last year's Can You Catch a Mermaid? at the Pavilion, then you're in for a real treat.