Christmas fun for kids

From ice skating superheroes, to breakfast with Santa in the zoo, Christmas make-and-do classes to the annual pantomime - the festive season is full of fun things to do with the children, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON

Pantomimes

ARMAGH

CinderellaTraditional pantomime from the Ulster Theatre Company. Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Dec 4-24, various times, £8-£13. 048-37521821, marketplacearmagh.com

BELFAST

Jack and the BeanstalkThis traditional pantomime stars popular panto dame, Dan Gordon. Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Place, Nov 27–Jan 8, various times, £16/£12. 048-90334455, waterfront.co.uk

Snow White & The Seven DwarfsBilled as a "truly wicked pantomime", this popular show stars Northern Ireland's grand dame of pantomime, May McFettridge. Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street, Dec 4–Jan 22, various times, £5 - £24.50. 048-90241919, goh.co.uk

CLARE

AladdinPantaloons present this traditional pantomime as their 10th-anniversary production. Glór, Ennis, Dec 27–Jan 2, €15. 065-6843103, glor.ie

CORK

Snow WhiteThe Seven Dwarfs Traditional pantomime written and directed by Bryan Flynn. Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Dec 15-Jan 16, various times, €26-€31. 021-4270022, corkoperahouse.ie

Sinbad & The Sea PiratesStars of this traditional pantomime include Cork's favourite Dame, Jim Mulcahy and Sean Carey of RTÉ's Fame. Loads of audience participation promised. Everyman Palace, Cork, Dec 4-Jan 9, various times, €22.50. 021-4501673, everymanpalace.com

DUBLIN

Jack and the BeanstalkTheatreworX Productions stars George McMahon as Jack, Emma Warren as Jill, Eoin Cannon as Lord Flatulan't and comic duo Paul Purcell and Aidan Mannion. The Helix, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, until Jan 16, various times, €20/€24. 01-7007000, thehelix.ie

AladdinLongest running traditional pantomime in town starring Richie Hayes, Michael Grennell, Una Pedreschi and Mikey Graham from Boyzone. Directed by Daryn Crosbie. Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, until Jan 30, various times, €25-€35, 01-6771717 or 0818-719388, gaietytheatre.ie

Beauty and the BeastThis not-so-traditional pantomime written by Karl Broderick and directed by Simon Delaney stars Alan Hughes (aka Sammy Sausages), John Lovett (Buffy) and Brian Dowling who will be joined each night by a special surprise guest. Tivoli Theatre, Dec 14-Jan 16, various times, €15-€29.50. 01-4544472, panto.ie

Cinderella Jedward join Linda Martin, Jessica Cervi as Cinderella and stars from RTÉ’s SuperCrew in this traditional pantomime written by Fiona Looney. Olympia Theatre, Dame Street, Dec 22-Jan 9, various times, €25-€35. 0818719330, ticketmaster.ie

Cinderella, The Final FrontierUlster Theatre Company presents this Christmas pantomime. Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dec 30-Jan 9, various times, €14-€20. 01-2312929, paviliontheatre.ie

Scrooge's ChristmasUlster Theatre Company presents this festive pantomime directed by Michael Poynor. Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dec 14-22 and Dec 26-Jan 2, various times, €16-€20. 01-4627477, civictheatre.ie

Jack & The BeanstalkHolding Court Theatre Company presents this family pantomime at the Axis theatre, Ballymun, Jan 6-23, various times, €8-€12. 01-8832100, axis-ballymun.ie

The Wizard of OzCoolmine Panto Group produces this classic pantomime. Draíocht, Blanchardstown, Jan 7-16, €15-€20. 01-8852622, draiocht.ie

Sleeping BeautyThe Lambert team put their puppets in pantomime mode for this festive show. Lambert Puppet Theatre, Clifton Lane, Monkstown, Co Dublin, various dates until Jan 30, 3.30pm. €11-€13, 01-2800974, lambertpuppettheatre.com

DONEGAL

Scrooge's ChristmasUlster Theatre Company's panto plays here before a Dublin run, directed by Michael Poynor. An Grianán, Letterkenny, Dec 1-11, various times, €10-€15. 074-9120777, angrianan.com

GALWAY

Sleeping BeautyRenmore Pantomime Society present their annual traditional pantomime, directed by award-winning twins, Brian and Seán Power and featuring the Renmore Smurfs. Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Dec 30-Jan 16, various times. €16/14. 091-569777, tht.ie

CinderellaPerforming Arts School Galway promise lots of laughs in this traditional pantomime, written by Maeve Ingoldsby and directed by Jaimie Carswell. Black Box, Townhall Theatre, Galway, Jan 1-8, various times, €16/€14. 091-569777, tht.ie

KERRY

Mother GooseTraditional pantomime from Oliver Hurley Productions. Siamsa Tíre, National Folk Theatre and Arts Centre, Town Park, Tralee, Dec 11, 8pm, Dec 12, 2.30pm 8pm, €16/€13. 066-7123055, siamsatire.com

LIMERICK

Snow WhiteTraditional pantomime from the Limerick Panto Society starring Tim Cusack as the Dame. University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, Limerick, Dec 28-Jan 3, various times, €18.50/€16.50. 061-331549, uch.ie

Beauty and the BeastCentreStage Productions are back this year with a show written by Mike Finn and starring Myles Breen. Limerick Institute of Technology MillenniumTheatre, Limerick, Dec 27-Jan 9, various times, €18.50/€16.50. 061-322322, centrestagepanto.com

Shows on tour

The SnowmanA live soundtrack from the Irish Improvised Orchestra accompanies this magical animated film.

The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co Tipperary, Dec 4, 2pm 4pm, 0504-90204 thesourceartscentre.ie; Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co Clare Dec 11, 11am 2pm, €8/€5, 065-6843103, glor.ie; Belltable Arts Centre, 69 O’Connell Street, Limerick, Dec 19, 3pm €7.50/€5. 061-319866, belltable.ie

The Fourth Wise ManMeridian Theatre Company presents this comic musical tale about the wise man who never made it to Bethleham, for children aged five and over.

Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co Meath, Dec 1, 2, 046-9092300; Siamsa Tíre, National Folk Theatre and Arts Centre, Town Park, Tralee, Co Kerry, Dec 6, 7 9 066-7123055; Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford town, Dec 10 11 053-9123764; The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim Dec 13 14 071-9650828; Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, Co Louth, Dec 15 041-9833946; Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare, Dec 17-18 045-448327; The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co Tipperary Dec 19-21 0504-90204; Belltable Arts Centre, 69 O’Connell St, Limerick, Dec 27-30, 061-319866, various times and prices.

A Wish for SantaAn all-singing, all-dancing show from City Theatre.

Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford town, Dec 1-2, 053-9123764 wexfordartscentre.ie; The Venue Theatre, Ratoath, Co Meath, Dec 3, 01-6895600, venuetheatre.ie; The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co Monaghan, Dec 7, 071-9855833, theglenscentre.com;The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin Dec 13-23, 01-2969340 milltheatre.com various times and prices.

Here Comes SantaSanta and others feature in this festive musical show from director Michael Scott.

Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone, Co Westmeath Dec 1, 090-6492129, deancrowetheatre.com; Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Dec 2-3, 091-569777, tht.ie; Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford, Dec 6, 051-855038, garterlane.ie; Birr Theatre Arts Centre, Co Offaly, Dec 7, 057-9122911, birrtheatre.com; Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Dec 13-15, 057-8663355. dunamaise.ie; Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, Co Mayo, Dec 16, 097-81079, arasinisgluaire.ie; Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co Tyrone, Dec 18, 048-71384444, alley-theatre.com; Moat Theatre, Naas, Dec 20-21, 045-883030, moattheatre.com

The NutcrackerForty of Ireland's most talented young dancers will perform with guest dancers Juliana Bastos, Julianne Rice-Oxley and Oliver Speers in this Irish National Youth Ballet production.

O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Great Denmark Street, Dec 3 noon 8pm, Dec 4 2pm 8pm, €11-€18 0818-205205 centralticketbureau.com; Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dec 10 noon 8pm; Dec 11 3pm 8pm, €11-€18. 01-2312929, paviliontheatre.ie

Visiting Santa

Going to see Santa before Christmas is an essential part of the build-up to the festive season for many young children. And while some families are happy to queue outside Santa’s grotto in shopping centres, going to see him in a castle, on a farm or indeed at the zoo can be much more fun. Here are a few places where the big man in red (and sometimes green) will be in residence over the coming weeks . . . don’t ask us how he manages to do it.

Glenroe farmin Kilcoole, Co Wicklow sets Santa up in a warm homely thatched cottage every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas. While there, children can also see the nativity stable with live farm animals, visit the farm and enjoy the playground. glenroefarm.com 01-2872288, €15 per child.

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animalson Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin offers families an opportunity to visit Santa in the Dublin Mountains, surrounded by lots of animals. Children can also listen to Santa telling stories and see the animals for adoptions and those that live in the farm sanctuary. dspca.ie, 01-4994700, €14 per child.

Dublin Zoo(dublinzoo.ie 01-4748900, €30) and Fota Wildlife Park on Fota Island, Cork (fotawildlife.ie, 021-4812678, €25) both accommodate Santa in the weeks before Christmas. The Breakfast with Santa event at Dublin Zoo includes a buffet-style meal followed by meeting with Santa and of course entry to the zoo for the day. At Fota Wildlife Park, Santa, Mrs Claus and some of the elves will be in residence at the Arctic Experience.

Santa will put on his green hat when he visits Airfield Urban Farm,Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum on December 11 and 12 . He will tell the children stories and share some of nature's wisdom. Children can also visit the crib with live animals while there. airfield.ie, 01-2984301, €6 per child. Meanwhile, at the Glendeer Pet Farm, Curryroe, Drum, Athlone, Co Westmeath, Santa is joined by his reindeer Dancer and Prancer in a snow-covered arena which is billed as Ireland's Lapland. glendeer.com, 090-6437147, €15.

In Co Galway, Santa will visit Dunsandle Castlenear Craughwell for the first time this year. A torchlit procession through the castle's 20-acre woodland, songs and stories form part of 90-minute experience which runs from Thursdays to Sundays until December 23 (santascastle.ie, 091-503865, €27 for children, €11 for adults, babies are free). The Galway Simon Community will receive a percentage of the admission fee.

In Co Clare, Santa sets up his workshop in the Aillwee Cave(aillweecave.ie, 1890-245593, €33). Children can visit him and his elves there every day until December 22. There are puppet shows, a Christmas market and a train to the Birds of Prey exhibition also worth seeing while there.

The gardens surrounding Belvedere Houseoutside Mullingar, Co Westmeath will be transformed into Narnia, while Santa – dressed in Victorian green robes – awaits children on weekends up to Christmas (belvedere-house.ie 044-9349060, €12 per child, adults free).

Instead of giving the children gifts, the Green Santa will show children how to pot a native fir tree or holly tree to take home. And children get to explore the Narnia-inspired landscape.

Finally, in Limerick city, CentreSpace Playersin Alphonsus Street, Limerick (centrespace.ie, €16) are offering children a show – Santa's Great Big Wonderful Christmas Show – from Dec 5-12, with the Santa story, sing along songs and dance before they meet Santa, Mrs Claus, the elves, Mr Polar Bear and Miss Penguin.

Music, magic, stories & circuses

BELFAST

The SnowmanChristopher Bell conducts the Ulster Orchestra in a programme of Howard Blake's music from the film, Waterfront Hall, 2 Lanyon Place, Dec 4, 2.30pm 5pm, £15/£8. 048-90334455, waterfront.co.uk

DUBLIN

ScroogeTommy Steele is joined by Darren Dixon as Tiny Tim in this international musical based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Grand Canal Theatre, Dec 7-Jan 2, various times, €20-€55. 0818-719377, grandcanaltheatre.ie

The Snowman MovieLive Concert Back again this year is this classic Christmas film with orchestral accompaniment and narration by Brian Ormond. National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dec 12, 15, 18, 22, 23, various times, €20/€15. 01-4170000, nch.ie

Beauty and the BeastFestival Productions are back again this year with a new fully staged production of this family musical. National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dec 27-Jan 3, various times, €16-€32. 01-4170000, nch.ie

Christmas at FarmleighA variety of events, including storytelling with Len Graham Jack Lynch in the Old Kitchen, Gronk's Merry Magic Show and puppet shows in the Cowshed Theatre, Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, various times. Farmleigh, Phoenix Park, adm free, no booking necessary. 01-8155900, farmleigh.ie

Fossett's Christmas CircusTaking up a new residency this year, Fossett's promises all the traditional circus acts. Pavilion Shopping Centre, Swords, until Jan 8, €10, 087-7978518, fossettscircus.com

Fluffy's Magic CircusVeteran pantomime star Joe Conlan (formerly Buffy) takes over a circus and all mayhem breaks loose in this show presented by Fossett's Circus. Swords Castle, Dec 9–23, Northside Shopping Centre, Dec 28-Jan 9, €7. 087-7978518, fossettscircus.com

WICKLOW

Gulliver's TravelsWonderland Productions present this new adaptation of Swift's fantastical adventures. Six actor-musicians will incorporate song, puppetry, dance and video projection into this family show, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Dec 15 and 17 11am, Dec 16 7pm, Dec 18 3pm, €15. mermaidartscentre.ie or 01-2724030.

Movies

Megamind 3D

Ready for another vaguely subversive take on superhero mythology? You might be. The latest animation from Dreamworks extracts big laughs from the efforts of a huge-headed blue villain to dominate the blameless Mega City (he pronounces it to rhyme with “audacity”). Opening December 3rd

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Didn’t Disney step away from the adaptation of C S Lewis’s durable novel sequence? It did. But, in an unusual step, 20th Century Fox stepped in to keep the Narnia flag aloft. Reuniting the cast from Prince Caspian, this one is largely set on the high seas. Opening December 9th

Gulliver’s Travels

Jonathan Swift's satirical novel is loosely adapted (very loosely) in this family comedy starring Jack Black. The trailer seems proud that it is from the people who brought you Nights at the Museum. Make of that what you will. Opening December 26th Donald Clarke

On ice

CORK

Cork on IceThe ice rink has moved to the Mahon Point Shopping Centre this year. Until Jan 16, €12.50/€13.50 children; €13.50/€14.50 adults, corkonice.com

DUBLIN

7UP Christmas on IceThe ice rink on the roof of Arnott's department store on Henry Street is sure to draw the crowds this year. Also, the ice rink in the RDS is now in its eighth year. Arnott's, Henry Street, Dublin (until Jan 23); RDS, Ballsbridge (Dec 3-Jan 9). 0818-717200, 7UPchristmasonice.ie

Disney on IceMore than 60 Disney stars perform in this dazzling show, CityWest Hotel, Dublin Dec 26-Jan 2, various times and prices, 0818-719300, ticketmaster.ie

Dundrum on IceNew this year is the ice rink in the Dundrum Town Centre. Until Jan 30, €12.50-€14.50, dundrumonice.ie

GALWAY

Galway Bay on IceThis ice rink is set up overlooking Galway Bay. Until Jan 9, €11-€16.50, galwaybayonice.com

Workshops

DUBLIN

Christmas Family Art Holidayat the National Gallery This annual event gives children an opportunity to express themselves by drawing and colouring following the extravaganza of Christmas (bring your own sketch pads and colours). National Gallery, Merrion Square West, Dec 28-30, 3pm-4pm, adm free, no booking necessary. Also family workshops in the atrium, Jan 1-7, 3pm-4pm, adm free, 01-6615133, nationalgallery.ie

Festive Fun at the National MuseumExperience a medieval Christmas at this historical re-enactment, National Museum, Kildare Street, Dec 5 2pm-4.30pm adm free; Carol-singing, festive arts and craft workshops and the 12 days of Christmas trail at the Christmas Open Day, National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Dec 11, 11am-5pm, adm free, 01-6486453, museum.ie

Christmas Art Workshopsat the Dublin City Gallery Make a Christmas mobile at this workshop (3-6 year olds), Dec 11, 3pm, €5; Create a 2011 calendar at this workshop (6-10 year olds), Dec 29, 11am, €5 Dublin City Gallery, Parnell Square North, 01-2225550, hughlane.ie

Family Christmas Workshopat Draíocht Make your own Christmas decorations at this drop-in workshop for children aged 5-10, Draíocht, Blanchardstown Centre, Dec 11, noon-3pm, adm free. 01-8852622, draiocht.ie

Red Stables Christmas WorkshopsMake your own Christmas tree decorations at these workshops, Dec 4 noon-4pm, Dec 11, Noon-3.15pm, Dec 12 noon-4pm Also storytelling on Dec 11 4pm and Dec 12 3.30pm; The Red Stables, St Anne's Park, Mount Prospect Ave, Dublin 3. 01-2227941, theredstables.ie

MAYO

Christmas Family Day at National Museum

Celebrate Christmas at this traditional music performance by Emer Mayock and friends and then join a Christmas decorations workshop Dec 19, 2.30pm-4.30pm, adm free, National Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar. 094-9031755, museum.ie