Bi lingual Santas and that purple dinosaur

Christmas movies

101 Dalmatians: Beautiful, bounding Dalmatian dogs and cuddly spotty puppies will dash across the big screen this year as Walt Disney's animated cartoon, 101 Dalmatians, is turned into a real life action drama. Glenn Close plays the dastardly Cruella De Vil who plots to turn these fun loving creatures into a designer fur coat. The movie which co stars Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson and Joan Plowright goes on countrywide release on Friday.

Matilda: Danny DeVito directs and stars in this cinematic version of Roald Dahl's modern fairytale, Matilda. Mara Wilson plays a gifted child who overcomes her parents' (Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman) lack of interest in her talents to find an inner strength of her own. Matilda goes on countrywide release on December 20th.

Jingle All The Way: High powered businessman Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) encapsulates the stress of many parents on his determined last minute Christmas toy quest for his son. However, while Howard is scrambling through the seasonal crowds, his next door neighbour, Ted (Phil Hartman) is taking his place at home - putting up the Christmas tree lights among other things. Currently showing in cinemas countrywide.

Alaska: The great snow adventure for this year. Two teenagers (Thora Birch and Vinveiat Kartheiser) risk life and limb to rescue their pilot father (Dirk Benedict) after his plane crashes in the Alaska mountains. Opens in cinemas countrywide on December 20th.

The Boy From Mercury: Set in 1960s Dublin, this is an imaginative tale of a young boy's belief that he comes from the planet Mercury. James Hickey is the Boy from Mercury with Hugh O'Conor, Rita Tushingham and Tom Courtenay in supporting roles. Currently showing in cinemas countrywide.

Pantomimes

Sleeping Beauty (Sort Of!) at the Point Theatre, Dublin: With Barney, Twink, Gerry Ryan and OTT. (See panel)

Sinbad at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin: Sinbad and his crew are given the worthy task of rescuing the beautiful Shimira from Zendor and his evil pirates. This year's cast includes June Rodgers, Pat Kinevane, Alex Sharpe, the Gaiety Singers and Dancers. The show runs from December 21st February 15th (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) previews from Sunday next. Tickets £7-£14 (previews £8) Booking on Tel: 01 6771717.

The Pirates of Penzance at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin: Already in full sail, this Gilbert and Sullivan show is one many schools have tested their dramatic prowess on. It stars Ricky Paull Gold in as the pirate king with Hazel O'Connor and Des Keogh as fellow mischief-makers. Continues until January 4th. Tickets £14.50-£18.50. Booking on tel: 01 6777744.

Santa's Great Christmas Adventure at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin: With matinee performances only, Austin Gaffney's great big burly Santa will enthral younger audiences with the help of boy band, Only Us and RTE's Finbar's Class. Opens next Monday with 3 p.m. shows until January 3rd. Tickets £8.50-£10.50. Booking on tel: 01 6777744.

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick: The Limerick Panto Society is waiting until all the children have tired of their Christmas presents. The show opens on January 2nd for 10 days of performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets from £3.50-£5. Booking on tel: 061 319866.

Mother Goose at the Grand Opera House, Belfast: This classic farmyard tale has already swung into its long Christmas season. May McFettridge plays Mother Goose with Briony McRoberts, Paul Hendy, Julian Simmons in supporting roles. Continues until Saturday, January 18th with daily matinee and evening shows. Tickets' £7-£13. Booking on tel: 0801 232 241919.

Sleeping Beauty at the Spire Centre, Belfast: The Ulster Theatre Company acclaimed production of this all time favourite opens today starring Sean Kearns and Sheelagh O'Kane. Written and directed by Michael Poynor with sets by Elroy Ashmore. Continues until January 3rd. Tickets £4-£11 Booking on tel: 0801 232 235244.

Cinderella at Cork Opera House: The ugly sisters, Buttons, the Wicked Baron and of course Cinderella and her Prince Charming are currently in rehearsal for this show. Stars include Irene Warren as Cinderella and Michael Sands, home to Cork for Christmas from across the water. The show runs from December 19th until the end of January. Tickets: £6-£8 before Christmas, £6-£10 after Christmas. Booking on tel: 021 270022.

Little Red Riding Hood at the Everyman Palace, Cork: This all time favourite returns to Cork after a long absence so many youngsters in the south will have their first opportunity to follow the mysterious and magical adventures in the woods. Performances January 2nd - 11th (excluding January 6th) at 8 p.m., January 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th at 3 p.m. Tickets £4-£7. Booking on tel: 021 501673.

Little Red Riding Hood is also showing at the Townhall Theatre, Galway from January 2nd - 11th. Tickets £5-£7. From tel: 091 569777.

Jack in the Beanstalk at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny: The Kilkenny Pantomime Society will be climbing the stalks from January 12th - 19th. Shows 8 p.m. nightly with a 3 p.m. show on Sunday. Tickets: £4-£6. Booking on 056 61674.

Aladdin, staged by the Waterford Pantomime Society is currently keeping children in the south east spellbound. It continues until Sunday next, December 15th. Tickets £4-£5. Booking on tel: 051 874402.

Shows

The Great Christmas Carol Kidnap, the Ark Children's Centre, Temple Bar, Dublin: Musician in residence Nico Brown stars in a music theatre show for four to six year olds in which the children help the King's musician to recover the stolen music and songs of Christmas. From December 17th - January 5th. Tickets: £4-£5. Booking on tel: 01 6707788.

Tickles/Dingils, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe: The invisible character creates all sort of mayhem in her search for friends (with a little help from the audience). Performances continue until Saturday at 7.30 p.m. with a 2.30 p.m. matinee on Saturday. A bilingual Santa will be in residence 4 p.m.-7.30 p.m. every day until Saturday. Tel: 091 563600. Tickets £3-£6.

The Time Wizard, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork city: The All Electric Puppet Theatre presents its magical, musical puppet show from Monday next until Friday at 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Tickets: £3-£4. Booking on tel: 021 272022.

Breanainn at Siamsa Tire Theatre, Tralee, Co Kerry: How would St Brendan have celebrated Christmas on his voyages? Had the tradition of Christmas reached Kerry when Breanainn was born? These and other questions will be addressed in the dramatic pageant in the Kingdom's capital on December 29th, 30th, January 2nd and 3rd. Tickets: £4-£6. Booking on tel: 066 23055.

There Was An Old Woman at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast: This puts a magical spin on the familiar children's fable, There Was An Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe. Shows at 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m continue until January 11th. Tickets: £6-£8. Booking on tel: 0801 232381081.

Kingdom of the Birds, Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast: The All Electric Puppet Theatre is presenting its new show from tomorrow until Saturday, December 21st. Suitable for three to eight year olds. Tickets £3.50 Booking on tel: 0801 232 233332

Rumpelstiltskin, University of Ulster, Coleraine: Kabosh Productions presents this Christmas musical which is up and running and continuing until December 28th. Tel: 0801 265 51388 for details.

Cribs

The Mansion House crib is by far the most magical crib in the capital with real live animals brought into their readymade stable every morning from a farm in Stillorgan, Co Dublin. New this year are the lifesize Nativity figures, behind which the animals will low. Look out for the Jacob sheep, goats, foals and donkeys. The crib will be installed next Monday and the animals will be in situ every day from 10 a.m.6 p.m. until December 24th.

The Moving Crib at St Martin's Apostolate, Parnell Square, Dublin is a must for nostalgia lovers. Entering at ground floor level, visitors follow the Christian story from Adam and Eve, via Daniel in the Lions' Den, downstairs to the recently renovated Nativity Scene in the basement. The quirky nature of the mobile characters will capture the imagination of adults and children alike. Opening hours, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11.30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Christmas Day. Admission free.

Traditional crib at the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.

Choral treats

Let the Bells Ring: Soprano Niamh Murray will be joined by the Dublin County Choir, the Stedfast Band and the Billie Barry Dancers in this festival of Christmas music, carols and dance in the National Concert Hall on Saturday and Sunday, December 21st and 22nd at 8 p.m. Tickets: adults £7-£9, children £5. Booking on tel: 01 6711533.

The Snowman: the National Concert Hall is hosting a Christmas cracker concert of Howard Blake's work on Friday, January 3rd at 6.30 p.m. in which the Orchestra of St Cecilia, conducted by Gearoid Grant, will be joined by the Dex McGloughlin School of Ballet. Tickets £3-£5. Booking on Tel: 01 6711533.

Carols for All (no tickets required) in 54 Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday next at 3.15 pm.

The Inner City Carol Service, in aid of Liberties Creche, on Thursday, December 19th at 1.15 p.m. in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Christmas Carol Service in the Pro Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 on Sunday, December 22nd at 3.30 p.m.

National Gallery Art Classes: This annual free feast of painting and drawing goes ahead on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, December 29th - 31st from 3 p.m.4.30 p.m. Open to children from 5-12. Admission is free but the young participants are requested to bring along paper, pencils and crayons. No booking necessary.

National Concert Hall: Organist Peter Sweeney, composer John Buckley, dancer Dex McGloughlin and conductor Grainne Gormley will combine their talents in the musical workshops for children on January 2nd and 3rd, 10 a.m.-12.30 p.m. (six to nine year olds) and 2 p.m.-4.30 p.m. (nine to 11-year-olds). Cost £8 per class. Advanced booking before December 20th on tel: 6711533.

Decorating the Tree: If you haven't yet decorated your tree, then head for the Christmas tree decoration workshops at Tallaght County Library, Dublin. Next Saturday's class, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. is for eight to 10-year-olds and Saturday, December 21st, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. is for 11-13 year olds.

Art and Drama: Cork children should get their art smocks on and head for the Triskel Arts Centre on Saturday, December 21st for some serious fun, 9.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. or noon-4 p.m. Cost £5.50 includes admission to the All Electric Puppet Theatre show, The Time Wizard.

Indoor extravaganzas

Boyzone: Christmas concerts at King's Hall, Belfast (December 27th); Dublin's Point (December 28th, 29th and 30th) and RDS (December 31st).

Funderland: This year's new rides include the superbowl, a waltzer which spins 50 feet in the air and the snowjet, a very fast bob sleigh ride and a looping roller coaster which will turn you inside out and upside down. Also present will be the ever popular, ghost train and terminator. The spine tingling machines swing into action at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin on St Stephen's Day until January 12th. Admission 50p with rides from 50p-£1.50.

Armagh Planetarium: The Star of Bethlehem is put under the telescope in the special Christmas show, Tis The Season. Astronomical theories regarding the exact birth date of Christ and hence the time the star appeared are examined. Shows run weekdays at 3 p.m.; 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays with special 8 p.m. shows on every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday up to Christmas. Admission: adults £3.50, children £2.50.

Ice rinks: If you're not feeling brave enough to test your balance on the outdoor ice over the holidays, the indoor rinks provide the next best thing. The Silver Skate Ice Rink, 372 North Circular Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7 is open every day except Christmas Day from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., 2.30 p.m.-5 p.m. and 8 p.m.-10.30 p.m. Admission £2 for mornings and £2.50 for afternoons and evenings. The Dublin Ice Rink in Dolphin's Barn, Dublin 8 is also open every day except Christmas Day from 10.30 a.m.-1 p.m., 2.30 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.-10 p.m. Admission £3 mornings, £4 afternoons/evenings.

Dublin Zoo: Whether you agree with animals being locked up or not, it can be a special treat for the young folk to look in on, their furry and not so furry friends over the holidays. Dublin Zoo is hosting Santa lunches at noon each Saturday and Sunday up to Christmas. Advance booking essential, on tel: 01 6716991. Tickets £5.99 (members), £6.99 (non-members).

Skiing: The Ski Club of Ireland in Kilternan, Co Dublin has classes for junior skiers (over seven years old) every Saturday and Sunday at 10.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. One lesson costs £12 and four booked together cost £40. Ski and boot hire is included in the cost but participants should bring their own gloves, thick socks and cosy clothing. Tel: 01 2955658 for booking.