ALL Aboard! It's (nearly) Christmas and Santa has chosen to make special visits to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, arriving on his very own steam train sledge. He will then join you on the Santa Express to be taken to Dalegarth where the happy elves will be awaiting your arrival in Santa's grotto. Your name will magically appear on Santa's list and when he calls your name you will receive an early Christmas gift to take home. Mums and dads can take lots of lovely photos of you meeting Santa and enjoy a complimentary drink and a mince pie. The Santa Express train runs at weekends throughout December, starting this Saturday and Sunday at various times.  

Booking required - go to ravenglass-railway.co.uk for further details. 

Tickets: Adult £21.95; child (1-11 years) £21.95; child (12-15 years) £13.95; child (U1) free. 

 

BUDDY Holly and the Cricketers once again herald in the Yuletide festivities with Holly at Christmas, the show that is now as traditional as mulled wine and mince pies. Holly's hits, other contemporary classics and some Christmas crackers are all wrapped up in a fast, furious and funny feat of entertainment. Playing on Tuesday (December 3, 7.30pm), at The Platform, Morecambe. 

Box office 01524-582803 

Tickets £18; party of four £64 

 

GRIEG'S thunderous opening to his Piano Concerto, ably performed by soloist Martin Roscoe, reassures us that the right notes will be played - and in the right order! Plus, with Philip Ellis conducting, Lakeland Sinfonia's third concert in the series is in very good hands. Other music on the evening's programme includes The Wasps Overture by Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.1 Winter Day-dreams, op.13. The concert takes place on Saturday (November 30, 7.30pm) at the Westmorland Hall, Kendal Lakes Leisure. 

Box office 01539-729777 

Tickets: Grand tier £25 (non-members); area £17; young person £5 

 

THE Dukes Theatre in The Round will be transformed into a wintry woodland for this year’s festive treat – Cinderella: A Fairytale, on stage until January 11. The story centres on bird-loving Ella who escapes the chores set by her horrible stepmother and, with the help of her feathered friends, sneaks off to the palace ball in her best party frock and sparkly Doc Marten boots to meet her prince. With original music and dance routines spanning the 40s to the 60s, plus fantastic puppets, Cinderella is the perfect show for all, aged five to 95. 

Box office 01524-598500 

Tickets from £11.50 - £22 

 

ENJOY a Festive Afternoon Tea at the Inn on the Lake which overlooks England’s most beautiful lake and then take a cruise on an Ullswater Steamer, from Sunday (December 1) to December 31. For bookings and sailings from Glenridding pier or Pooley Bridge pier, telephone 017684-82444. 

 

CARTMEL School Fun Run includes the Santa Dash on Sunday (December 1) at Cartmel Park. Registration takes place at 10.30am; Santa warm-up 11am; Santa Sprint 2km 11.15am; Santa Dash 5km 11.45am, plus there’s the Christmas double and toddler’s course, too. Fancy dress is essential (it is a fun run after all!). All monies raised will go to Cartmel Primary School’s PTA. 

Just turn up. 

Santa sprint 2km; Adult £5; (U16) £3.50; dash 5km: Adult £5; (U16) £3.50; Christmas double: Adult £7; (U16) £4.50