The weekend is only a few days away, so we selected some of the best things to do in and around Whitehaven this weekend.

1.XMAS PARTY NIGHT. This party at Marchon Sports and Social Club in Whitehaven has a buffet, disco, live band and even a free drink on entry on December 4.

2.THE MAYFAIR SUITE GIG. Supporting the local scene is integral for the growth of any musical community, so why not soak up the local sounds that The Mayfair Suite offers, at a gig hosted in The Yellow Earl in Whitehaven on December 4.

3.THE CAT RAVE. If you aren't already satisfied with the excitement of a Christmas party, and live music, then perhaps a rave will satisfy you? The Whittington Cat will host a rave with trance and house music on Saturday, December 4.

4.ANDRE RIEU. For the more discerning characters, an evening at the Rosehill Theatre to see a stream of renowned musician Andre Rieu will entertain on December 5.

5.WALK AROUND TOWN. It’s impossible to get lost in the centre of Whitehaven as the town was plotted on a spacious right-angled grid, so why not brave a simple weekend stroll?

6.VISIT THE HARBOUR. The Old Quay, a stone pier first built in 1631-34, is among the UK’s oldest surviving coal wharves, the harbour was extended over the next 200 years, to the current layout of piers and long moles reaching out to sea.

7.VISIT THE BEACON MUSEUM. Between the harbour and Whitehaven’s old mines is a museum telling you all you need to know about the town and wider Copeland region.

On the floor above you can be immersed in the sights, smells and sounds of the harbour.

Kids can also unearth Roman artefacts and solve a puzzle with a bird’s eye view of Whitehaven.

8.THE RUM STORY. At the beginning of the museum trail you’ll be plunged into the humid Antiguan rainforest, and from there will dip into the poignant history of the slave trade and sugar plantations, find out about rum’s role in the Royal Navy and discover how this beverage was distilled and transported.

9.WALK IN CASTLE PARK. Nothing beats a walk in the park, so why not visit Whitehaven's signature one?

10EGREMONT CASTLE.Medieval wonders await, in this castle which is not too far from Whitehaven.

This is fun for the whole family, and an important part of history.