CHRISTMAS SHOWS
A Christmas Carol - The Gate, Dublin
The Gate brings back its traditional Christmas fare, with all the trimmings, a version of Dickens's novel directed by Alan Stanford. Runs at 8 p.m., with matinΘes every Wednesday in December except St Stephen's Day (there's a Thursday matinee that week instead) and on Wednesday, January 2nd, 5th, 12th and 19th. £12.50/£16/£18. 01-8744045
The Nutcracker - The Point, Dublin
The curtain opens on the Russian State Ballet's performance of the Christmas classic tomorrow night at 7.30 p.m. and there is a matinΘe on Saturday at 2 p.m. Less well-known is the Prokofiev version of Cinderella, which it performs on Friday night at 7.30 p.m. £20/£30/£35/£42.50/£47.50; £7.50 child discount. 01-8363633
PANTOS
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs - Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
Actor/director Alan Stanford directs his first pantomime with a cast including Mick Lally, Alan Smyth, Rebecca Smith and introducing Treasa Meegan as Snow White. In their 30th Gaiety pantomime to date, the Billie Barry children add an energetic sparkle with their singing and dancing. Shows run at 1.30 p.m./3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m./8 p.m. until February 3rd. £13.50-£17.50. 01-6771717
Dustin And Soky's Big Little Christmas Show - Olympia Theatre, Dublin
A traditional pantomime from the stars from Den TV, the Network 2 children's afternoon show. Dustin, Soky, Damienn McCaul, Mikel Murfi (as Auntie Monica), Snotser and Zuppy create mayhem and magic with a little help from the all-singing, all-dancing, The Revs. December 26th-January 13th. £12.50-£22.50. 1890-925-130
The Ambrosia Splat Panto - Cinderella:- St Anthony's Theatre, Merchant's Quay, Dublin
Gaining ground every year on its two rival pantomimes, this year's pantomime stars Alan Hughes, Sarah O'Flaherty, Val Fitzpatrick and introduces SinΘad Mulvey as Cinderella. Previews from December 17th-22nd (sold out). Opens December 26th and continues until January 27th. £11/£10. 01-6706991
Aladdin - Grand Opera House, Belfast
Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale), May McFettridge, Bennett Andrews and Jon De Ville star in this year's traditional pantomime. Two performances daily until January 19th (except Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). £9.50-£17.50. 048-90241919
Sleeping Beauty - Cork Opera House
Expect some funny and mischievous twists to the traditional story in this pantomime directed by Marion Wyatt. The cast includes Gerry McLaughlin, Conor Tallon and Wexford girl Maria Fitzgerald as Sleeping Beauty. Opens today with shows at 2.30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on various days until January 20th. £9.06-£13.39. 021-4274308
Beauty & the Beast - Town Hall Theatre, Galway
The message that appearances don't count for everything is taken to heart by most children who hear this story for the first time. The Renmore Pantomime Society with the junior troupe, The Renmore Smurfs, promise to add lots of humour to the poignant tale. Opens December 31st at 3 p.m. Shows run from January 1st to 6th at 8 p.m., with extra performances at 3 p.m. on January 1st, 5th and 6th. £8.50/£6.50. 091-569755
Cinderella - Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick
The popular tale of the girl with the slipper is this year's pantomime from Centre Stage Theatre School in association with the Belltable Arts Centre. From January 2nd to 13th with shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. £7.50/£5.50. 061-319866
Babes in the Wood - Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo town
In their 20th production at the Hawkswell, the Coolera Dramatic Society offer up a "swashbuckling adventure, romance and bucketfuls of laughs" in this traditional pantomime. Continues nightly until December 19th at 8 p.m. £7/£5 (sold out). 071-61526
Aladdin - Mullingar Arts Centre
Class Acts Theatre Company brings this Eastern tale to the town. Continues until December 16th, with afternoon and evening performances. £8/£5. 044-47777
CHILDREN'S THEATRE AND PUPPET SHOWS
Pass the Parcel - The Ark, Temple Bar, Dublin
Where all the presents go which don't reach the space underneath the Christmas tree is the question posed in this new music theatre production written by Frances Kay (of the Morbegs fame), with original music by Nico Brown. For 4- to 7-year-olds. Shows on next Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m./4 p.m. are sold out. From December 27th to 30th at 1 p.m./4 p.m. and January 2nd to 6th at 1 p.m./4 p.m. £6. 01-6707788
Quest 2 - The Good People Try Harder:- Pavilion Theatre, D·n Laoghaire, Co Dublin
Drawing on the legends of W.B. Yeats for the second year running, Pavilion director Karen Louise Hebden directs this lively show filled with music, dance and song. The cast includes Steve Blount, Elaine Hearty and Michael Sands. Previews from Saturday. Opens December 20th and continues until January 19th with 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. performances on specified days. £9-£15. 01-2312929
The Star-Child and Other Stories - An Dra∅ocht Theatre, Blanchardstown, Dublin
Storytellers' Theatre Company ends its tour of three of Oscar Wilde's best loved fairytales - The Star Child, The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant. Opens on Friday at 8 p.m. and continues until January 5th (various times and days). 01-8852622
The Twits - Civic Theatre, Tallaght
A dramatised version of Roald Dahl's popular children's story, The Twits. Previews on December 23rd. Opens December 26th and runs until January 20th. Performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on various days. £15/£10. 01-4627477
James and the Giant Peach - An Taibhdhearc, Galway
Galway-based Bedlam Theatre Company presents this "fun-filled fantasy for all the family" from Monday, December 17th to Saturday, December 22nd. 3 p.m./8 p.m. £6/£5. 091-563600
The Adventures of Sinbad - Lambert Puppet Theatre, Monkstown, Co Dublin
The Lambert team is putting the final touches to an elaborate Christmas production, which opens on Saturday and runs Saturdays and Sundays at 3.30 p.m. until Christmas; then daily at 3.30 p.m. from December 26th to January 6th. £6.50/£7.50. 01-2800974
MUSICALS
Annie - the Musical:- Tivoli Theratre, Dublin
The story of the little redheaded orphan girl who is adopted by the richest man in the world still draws a crowd. The cast includes Meabh Carron/Carol Heffernan as Annie, Bill Murphy as Daddy Warbucks and Susannah de Wrixon as Miss Hannigan. Directed by Noel McDonough. Performances start at 7 p.m Tuesday to Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m./8 p.m. Saturday; and 1.30 p.m./6.30 p.m. Sunday. Runs until January 6th. £14.50/£17.50. 01-4544472
Oliver - National Concert Hall, Dublin
Brimful of many well-known songs - I'll Do Anything For You, Consider Yourself, Pick a Pocket or Two - this Dickens tale is a much-loved family musical. Starring Tony Finnegan as Fagin and Eoghan McQuinn and Gary Sheridan as Oliver. Vivian Coates directs this show from Festival Productions. From December 27th to 29th at 7.30 p.m. MatinΘes on Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. £10-£20. 01-4170000
Red Riding Hood - A New Musical:- Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Important issues such as bullying and the dangers of talking to strangers are tackled in a most imaginative way by writer/composer Paul Boyd in this contemporary take on the classic tale. Starring Karl O'Neill, Brenda Brooks, Mary McNally and directed by Zoe Seaton. Continues Monday to Saturday until January 5th. £8-£12.50. 048-90381081
Hansel and Grettel - An Grianβn Theatre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Writer/composer Paul Boyd puts an unusual spin on the classic Grimm Brothers' fairytale. The story begins when stressed-out parents, Avis van Rentle and her husband Hertz send their two out-of-control children to spend the night in the forest "to put manners on them". On their way home, the children become lost and call on a menagerie of forest creatures to help them escape from the evil witch. The cast includes Billie Traynor, Shane O'Neill, Darren Ormondy and Amy Creighton. Saturdays at 2.30 p.m./7 p.m. until December 22nd. Also Friday, December 21st at 7 p.m. £8/£5. 074-20777
Labyrinth: Journey to the Goblin City - Black Box, Galway City
Based on the movie Labyrinth, this musical combines fairytales, fantasy and puppets in an explosive mix of song, dance and special effects. From December 27th until January 5th (excluding December 31st) at 8 p.m. Extra shows at 3 p.m. on December 29th, 30th, 4th and 5th. £8/£6. 091-569755
WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
Making Music - National Concert Hall
Parents and their children can make music from a diverse selection of instruments drawn from a big box on January 8th. Workshops 10 a.m.-11 a.m. for 6- to 8-year-olds and noon-1.15 p.m. for 9- to 12-year-olds. £3. 01-4170000
Christmas Art Workshop - National Museum, Collins Barracks, Dublin
Children are invited to make their own Christmas crib figures in a workshop for all the family with Nieves Fernandez and Bernie Manton on Saturday. 11 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Admission free. 01-6777444
Craft and Dance Workshops - The Model Arts Centre, Sligo
Here are some exciting activities for children after Christmas. These include a lantern-making workshop for 7- to 10-year-olds on December 27th, noon-2 p.m.; a willow sculpture workshop on December 29th, noon-2 p.m. for 10- to 12-year-olds, and a Capoeira dance workshop also on December 29th, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., for 13-year-olds and upwards. All workshops £4/£3. 071-41405
Christmas Workshop - Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin St, Cork city
A chance for 6- to 11-year-olds to make Christmas decorations and cards on December 15th, 11.30 a.m.-1 p.m. £6 (sold out). 021-4272022
Music Workshop - Waterside Theatre, Derry
Soloists Ruth McGinley and Cathal Breslin join conductor Paul Cassidy in a Carnival of the Animals children's activity concert. Suitable for 5- to 11-year-olds, this musical workshop will also include mask-making and storytelling. 11.30 a.m. on Saturday. £3. 048-71314000
CRIBS
Mansion House Crib - Dawson Street, Dublin
Filled with live animals which are brought into the city centre every day, this crib is one of, if not the most realistic and magical children in Ireland will see. The donkey, a small camel, Jacob sheep and goats feed peacefully beside the nativity figures. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The official opening of this year's crib takes place on Friday at 11 a.m. Open until Christmas Eve.
GPO Crib - O'Connell Street, Dublin
As the General Post Office is always one of the busiest places coming up to Christmas, the presence of the nativity crib is a gentle reminder of what Christians are celebrating at Christmas time. There are a few new animals and nativity figures this year. Also check out Santa's workshop and post office. String quartets and local choirs will perform, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Monday to Friday, until Christmas Eve.
The Moving Crib - St Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square, Dublin
Although not to everyone's taste, this unusual crib tells the stories from the bible from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Opening hours, Monday to Friday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; 11.30 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday/Sunday (Closed December 24th- 26th, 31st, and January 1st.) Admission free.
Pro-Cathedral - Dublin
The traditional nativity crib will be put in place during Christmas week. The baby Jesus figure is added by midwives from the Rotunda Hospital during the 10 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve.
Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin
Plans are being finalised for this traditional nativity crib which adds an extra seasonal dimension to a visit to this magnificent cathedral in the heart of medieval Dublin.
CRAFT FAIRS
National Craft Fair - Main Hall, RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin
More than 350 craftworkers, designers and artists will exhibit and sell their wares at this annual craft fair. The closest thing we have to a Christmas bazaar, you can buy everything from chocolates, candles and ceramics to jewellery, knitwear and handcrafted furniture. The fair is open today and tomorrow, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission £5.
