Pantomimes

Cinderella - Saturday, December 4 – Sunday, January 2

The stars of this year’s Bournemouth panto are cBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis, who returns to direct and star once more, and Amanda Barrie (Coronation Street and Bad Girls); they’re joined by Tim Dixon (CITV’s Fingertips), David Perry (local radio DJ) and Sophia Thierens (Red Dwarf). Pavilion, Bournemouth.

Peter Pan - Friday, December 10 – Sunday, January 9

Debra Stephenson, star of BBC 1’s The Impressions Show and famed for playing the character Frankie Baldwin in Coronation Street, is joined by CBBC presenter Michael ‘Abs’alom as Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee, former Emmerdale soap star Gary Turner as Captain Hook, and actress and vocalist Kate Weston (Wave 105), who plays Mrs Darling. Lighthouse, Poole.

The Elves and the Shoemaker - Saturday, November 27 – Saturday, December 11

Be prepared to laugh your socks off as Lighthouse, Poole’s resident artist Niki McCretton returns for the festive season with the inescapably bonkers Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company’s up-to-date re-telling of everyone’s favourite story about elves and shoes. With stunning puppets, music and surprises aplenty it is a show for everyone and promises not to be a load of old cobblers! Sat in his kitchen workshop, Sam Lacey makes terrible shoes and tries to sell them online. They’re so bad that nobody wants them. Then one night two tiny visitors arrive and start cutting and stitching and gluing….and Sam’s life will never be the same again!

Beauty and the Beast - January 22 - 29 2011

Highcliffe Charity Players marks its 40th anniversary with its first production for 15 years of this classic fairytale about a kindly monster – in reality a transformed handsome Prince – and his love for a beautiful young girl, more recently made popular through Disney’s animated film and stage musical. But David Swan’s imaginative script gives us a delicious new twist to this enchanting tale of fear and romance. Set in France, it plants us firmly in panto land with a magical Fairy, traditional Dame (Widow Bonbon and her Bonbon Kids – Sherbet Candy and Flossy), good and evil Princes and even two dim-witted traffic wardens, Nosey Parker and Kirby Crawler. Not forgetting Gigi, the pantomime horse. Will good triumph over evil? Will the Beast find true love? It’s the perfect recipe to showcase the award-winning Charity Players’ much loved panto ingredients – fabulous costumes, sumptuous sets, great song and dance routines, plus the usual happy quota of knockabout humour and audience participation. Panto at its finest and funniest! Oh, yes it is! Regent Centre.

Music

Daniel O’Donnell Thursday, December 2

Britain favourite Irishman is back with his easy listening tunes. O’Donnell’s fan base is massive and die-hard loyal. Now’s your chance to see if he’s your cup of tea. BIC.

The Nutcracker December 3-5

South Coast Ballet performs Tchaikovsky’s magical and mesmerising classic ballet. With its stunning music, Christmas theme and exhilarating choreography, it’s the perfect way to kick off the festive season. The Pier Theatre, Bournemouth.

John Wilson & the John Wilson Orchestra Friday, December 3

“A Celebration of the Classic MGM Film Musicals” plus special guests. John and the orchestra reunite the original proms cast including Sir Thomas Allen, Curtis Stigers and Kim Criswell. The sumptuous sounds of the MGM Studio Orchestra will be revived by John Wilson who will pay tribute to, among others, composers George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Harry Warren, Jerome Kern, Andre Previn and the great Hollywood arrangers: Conrad Salinger, Johnny Green and Nelson Riddle. The concert will feature some of Hollywood’s best-loved music from the Musicals including High Society, Singing In The Rain, An American In Paris, & The Wizard Of Oz to name a few. Much of this music will be heard in the concert hall for the first time in its original version.

JLS Plus special guests Monday, December 6

Oritsé, JB, Aston, and Marvin are the most successful group ever to enter The X Factor; the most popular show on British TV. From their auditions through boot camp to the judges’ houses right up to the live show knock-out rounds and eventually the final, it was clear to everyone around that they weren’t in this for the short haul. BIC.

Russian Patriarchate Choir of Moscow Monday, December 6

Founded in 1983 by Anatoly Grindenko in Trotse-Sergieva Lavra (near Moscow) in 1983, the Russian Patriarchate Choir is comprised of 12 men’s voices, dedicated to the repertoire for male voices of ancient Orthodox church music. They will sing sacred music and traditional folk songs with the depth and emotion that can only come from the extraordinary technical mastery of a Russian men’s choir. Lighthouse, Poole.

Madness Wednesday, December 8

If you missed Madness at this year's T In The Park, fear not, they will be coming to a town near you this month. Following the huge success of their last album, The Liberty Of Norton Folgate, Madness returned to the studio re-energised and bursting with ideas for an album that will be with you some time in 2011. The tour may see some of these new tracks get their first public airings. Indisputably one of the UK's biggest ever and most successful bands, Madness are the pop genii behind the likes of Our House, House Of Fun and One Step Beyond. With 2009’s The Liberty Of Norton Folgate, Madness saw themselves restored to their rightful place as at the top of the UK pop hierarch. BIC.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds Friday, December 10

The Alive on Stage! version follows the sell-out arena tours in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Jason Donovan, Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon, X-Factor’s Rhydian and Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s Chris Thompson and Ivor Novello award-winning composer and producer of the show, Jeff Wayne all star, as does Justin Hayward who returns as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist. Endless smarty-pants, groundbreaking technology will be used to heighten the audience’s interactive experience. BIC.

Handel’s Messiah Wednesday, December 15

Handel’s great oratorio Messiah is performed by the Salisbury Cathedral Choir, brilliant young soprano Amy Carson, La Folia (formerly Sarum Orchestra), and directed by Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral. Daniel said: “Handel’s Messiah is one of my all-time favourite pieces. Handel uses the texts in such a way that they seem inseparable from his music and I never fail to be moved by the power this piece has over performers and audiences alike. Having conducted Messiah two years ago with a choir of 160, it will be a real treat to lead the Cathedral Choristers through this masterpiece – the young voices adding a magical clarity to such fantastic music.” The concert is in aid of Salisbury Cathedral Choral Foundation. Salisbury Cathedral.

Beyond the Barricades Friday, December 17

Back by overwhelming public demand, the most successful touring show of its kind this is the new, 2010 production. Recreating original West End/Broadway musical hit songs, his cast of past principal performers from Les Miserables and the West End perform songs from Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Phantom Of the Opera, We Will Rock You and Blood Brothers, climaxing with a spectacular finale from, of course, Les Miserables. Regent, Christchurch

Santa

Casterbridge Christmas Cracker December 1

Dorchester's ever-popular, beautifully atmospheric pre-Christmas late night shopping and entertainment extravaganza runs from 6pm – 9pm. The evening will see the county town’s main streets thronging with stalls and entertainment. This year, shoppers and browsers can enjoy a range of live music and Santa’s Grotto will be outside the HSBC bank. Mulled wine and mince pies will be handed out from 6pm at Dorset County Museum in High West Street, while favourite characters from science fiction films and television wander through the downstairs galleries and parade down South Street. The highlight of the evening will be a lantern-lit children’s procession starting at the war memorial and then heading up through South Street to end at Herring’s art shop in High West Street. There will be free parking from 4.30pm.

Swanage railway’s santa specials - From December 4

The Swanage Railway’s Santa Specials are famous around the world as a major family Christmas attraction. This premier heritage steam railway ensures that there’s a magical, child-friendly timetable that’s as full as Santa’s sack this time of year. Available on 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th.

The Winter Ice Rink - Saturday, December 4 to Sunday February 27

The whole family can have a really n-ice time at the Bournemouth International Centre’s ice rink. Guests will receive a repeat ticket for every standard adult or child ticket and return for your next session at £6 per adult and £5 per child. Sessions last 60 minutes with an additional 30 minutes to get your skates on – and off!

Christmas Gifts and Indulgence Evening in Aid of Julia’s House Hospice - Friday, December 10

Entry is free to this fun event, from 6.30pm – 9.30pm at The Corn Exchange Dorchester. There will be entertainment from Jack Daniels and Benny Wain, free wine tasting, free chocolates, on site photographer with instant airbrushed photos to take away. Plus there’s an array of gifts, jewellery, crafts, cards, underwear, designer clothes, hats, shoes, small furniture, tarot reading, teddy bears and a raffle and refreshments.

Moors Valley santa specials - From December 12&19

Moors Valley Santa steam trains run at 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm and cost £10 per person including gift and refreshments. Booking essential. Other festive events going on there this month include the annual Christmas tree sales (until 19th), where parking is free when you buy a tree, the Christmas Market (5th) selling Dorset and New Forest crafts, the Festive Fun Day (12th) where the Rangers dress as elves in aid of local charities and The Festive Quiz (December 26th to January 2nd, 2011), with festive fun questions for children and general knowledge ones for the adults.

Christmas at Farmer Palmers, Organford

Special events include Santa Weekends, starting on December 4th when the whole farm will be decorated and there will be a grotto in the animal barn. Then there’s the annual Salvation Army Carol Service on the December 12 from 2.45pm- 3.15pm. Join the Winton Salvation Army Band around the Christmas tree for a family feast of hymn singing.

Christmas at Dolphin Centre, Poole

The Forest Holme Hospice tree of light will be in place from the start of December and fundraising will continue for the charity throughout the month. Families and friends of those who have stayed at the hospice can leave messages to their loved ones. The Mayor of Poole’s Book Fair is on December 22, plus there’s a great programme of free festive music performances, so here are a few December dates for your diary: Dorset MS Therapy Centre carol singing on the 2nd; Buckholme Towers School carol singing on the 8th; the Salvation Army brass band on the 5th, 12th and 18th; Hyde Band on the 9th and 16th; Belvedere Singers on the 20th and Christmas Eve carols performed by Parkstone Baptist Church on the 24th from 12 – 2pm.