THE Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway’s Santa Express is set to chug into the station at Ravenglass for a magical Santa Experience. Before or after your train ride to meet Santa there’s a traditional Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings at the Turntable Café (pre-booking essential). A vegetarian option is also available on request. You could also enjoy a spot of retail therapy at the station gift shops (Dalegarth and Ravenglass) plus every child will receive a gift from Santa to take home. The trains run from Monday to Friday (December 11-15). See website for departure times and booking form.

www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk or call 01229-717171.

Ticket prices depend on whether you are booking Christmas Lunch or just visiting Santa.

VISIT Santa in his Winter Wonderland at Hayes Garden World daily until December 23. Children can step through the wardrobe into the winter wonderland, meet the lion and Ice Queen and all Santa’s wonderful woodland friends. You can throw snowballs for the Polar bear and search for a key to open the cupboard and see what’s inside!? Plus Santa will be giving all children a special gift.

Booking essential, www.hayesgardenworld.digitickets.co.uk/tickets or call 015394-33434.

Tickets: Adult £2; children £10 inclusive of visit to Santa, gift and instance photo (two adults on photo only).

DUE to popular demand, Slightly Fat Features return to Lancaster's The Dukes for their sixth Christmas Cabaret, tomorrow and Saturday (December 8 & 9, 7.30pm). This unique troupe of entertainers perform variety for the 21st century, stuffed to the gunnels with staggering stunts and orchestrated madness and mayhem. Slightly Fat Features have to be seen to be truly understood (and believed!).

Box office 01524-598500.

Tickets £16; concessions £14. Recommended for 14+yrs.

WHAT would you do if Winter decided to stay and moved into your house? Well, that's what happens in Snow Play, performed by Lyngo Theatre, who guarantee a white Christmas, no matter what the weather or the time of year! The play is a showdown between Winter and Spring over who gets to go and who gets to stay, including the giant snowman. Kids will love the interactive fun when they are allowed to cover a whole house in snow and have a super snowball fight! On stage at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, from Monday (December 11) to December 23 (performances and times vary).

Box office 017687-74411 or www.theatrebythelake.com.

Tickets £8; family ticket £30.

THE Sands Centre's Christmas panto this year is probably one of the most famous fairy tales of all, Sleeping Beauty. The show features Carlisle's own Lee Brennan as the Prince, and ex-East Ender star Cheryl Fergison as the Wicked Fairy, plus DJ Robbie Dee as the Dame and the hilarious Dean Winters as the Jester. The panto will feature some amazing 3D Projection as well as a live band, stunning set and lavish costumes. In fact what with the amazing dance routines, great songs and plenty of cheekiness, it'll be a great treat for all the family. On stage from Monday (December 11) until December 31 (times vary).

Box office 01228-633766 or www.thesandscentre.co.uk

Prices range from £16.50-£19.50; family (2 adults x children) from £43-£53.

CHRISTMAS activities at Greenlands Farm Village this year includes a whole gaggle of fun from Partying with Santa and his Elves in the Playbarn, meeting Santa in his magical Grotto to sharing breakfast with the big man in red himself. Plus on Wednesday and Thursday (December 13 & 14) there’s a special Toddlers Party, followed on Sunday (December 24, 2pm-4pm) by a Pyjama Party. For full details and to book go to www.greenlandsfarmvillage.co.uk or call 01524-784184, Option 3.

Price varies depending on event chosen.