Venue Cymru’s got variety

Britain’s Got Comedy, 18th November Join comedians from Britain’s Got Talent for the ultimate night of stand-up, including impressionist Danny Posthill, musical mastermind Siobhan Phillips and Golden Buzzer recipient Daliso Chaponda. 7.30pm. Tickets £21.

DID YOU KNOW?

Peter Pan was named after Pan, the pipe-playing Greek god of nature

The Nutcracker, 22nd November Experience this most festive of ballets, with snow flurries, sweets, princes, magic and a live orchestra. 7.30pm. Tickets from £35.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, 28th November–2nd December Winner of What’s On Stage Best New Musical Award, enjoy this

In the picture

life-affirming story of a Sheffield schoolboy who makes it to the big time. 7.30pm. Tickets from £32.

Peter Pan, 9th-31st December John Evans returns to Venue Cymru with Hollyoaks’ Carley Stenson in a fun-filled fiesta of slapstick, audience interaction and marvellous musical numbers. Various times. Tickets from £22. www.venuecymru.co.uk

Heavenly thoughts

Literature lovers will enjoy November events at Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden. From 24th-26th November ‘Imagining Heaven – with the help of the Victorians’ explores the views of poets including Tennyson, Christina Rossetti and Adelaide Procter; churchmen John Ellerton,

The Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy presents three new exhibitions, running until 18th November: Noelle Griffiths’ ‘Long Rivers of Dream’, Flora McLachlan’s ‘The Cauldron’ and works by Academy Members on the theme of ‘Self Portrait’.

From 25th November–30th December the Academy’s Winter Show offers an exciting range of Members’ painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and textiles. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm. Free entry. www.rcaconwy.org

Set out on a Christmas Adventure at Manorafon Farm Park, Abergele on 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th & 23rd December. Join Santa for storytime before a festive journey around the village, with a golden coin to spend.

An adventure in the snow

Visit the Elf Flying School, stroll the illuminated forest, make a decoration, see Mrs Claus in her kitchen, visit the reindeer and see real snow! Under-14s £39.90, adults £15. And look out for Christmas Nights at Santa’s Village, with food, drink, fun and a Magical Light Trail. www. manorafon-farm-park.co.uk

FD Maurice, George Matheson and John Henry Newman, scientists, philosophers and freethinkers. On 25th November Jane Yeh presents a poetry masterclass ‘Shaking Things Up: Looking Outside of Yourself for Poetic Inspiration’. Full details at www.gladstoneslibrary.org

BBC NOW on the road

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales performs Hannah Kendall’s The Spark Catchers and Dvořák on 1st December at Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor, while Bangor’s Pontio hosts A Night with Elin Fflur on 2nd December. Love Christmas carols in cosy jumpers, children joyfully singing and the chance to sing along to your festive favourites? There’s the perfect Sunday afternoon treat on 17th December as Adrian Partington leads the orchestra alongside a massed choir from across North Wales, with readings by your favourite BBC Wales presenters. www. bbc.co.uk/bbcnow

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 4TH-11TH

NOVEMBER

DID YOU KNOW?

Something for everyone at Pontio

TIR: Stream of Consciousness, 30th November Ballet Cymru presents a sparkling evening of dance inspired by Cerys Matthews’ Welsh folk album.

7.30pm. Tickets £13 (child £11).

A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, 1st December. An inventive adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale that will delight young and old alike, full of festive feeling, ghostly encounters and redemption.

7pm. Tickets £15 (child £13).

Ed Byrne – Tragedy Plus Time, 6th December Join Ed as he tests Mark Twain’s famous formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs.

7.30pm. Tickets £27.50.

SANTA EATS CHRISTMAS!

Have breakfast with the Big Man at Erddig, near Wrexham this December. On weekends from 9-10.30am, tuck into a delicious Welsh breakfast and enjoy songs, a special story and a small gift for children – guaranteed to fill everyone with festive cheer. Afterwards work it off by visiting the house and gardens, specially decorated for Christmas. On 16th, 17th, 22nd & 23rd December, you can have Christmas dinner with Santa (5-6.30pm). Tickets for both events are £17.95 (child £18.95). www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Have yourself a tropical little Christmas

Experience Italianate

Portmeirion at its sparkling best this Christmas as the Food & Craft Festival returns from 1st-3rd December. There’ll be artisan stalls selling the finest Welsh produce and crafts, together with festive entertainment to get you in the mood. Come to enjoy the atmosphere and find the perfect present while you’re at it! 9.30am-5pm, standard admission applies. www.portmeirion.wales

Step into the steamy world of Pili Palas at Menai Bridge and find… Santa! From 26th November you can enjoy a festive breakfast, lunch or tea, then enter Santa’s grotto and receive a gift. Meet all manner of animals, including meerkats, donkeys and a 16ft Burmese python, then let off steam in the soft play. £11.95 (child £14.95). www.pilipalas.co.uk

A Christmas Carol was published on 19th December 1843 and sold out by 24th www.pontio.co.uk

ROH Live: The Nutcracker, 12th December A film screening of the Royal Ballet’s magical Christmas adventure, combining the thrill of the fairytale with spectacular dance. 7.15pm. Tickets £15 (concessions £12.50, child £10).

Magic of Mostyn

Get festive at Abakhan Mostyn: learn to crochet your own Christmas decorations on 10th or 19th November (11am-3pm, tickets £35). Treat the family to Breakfast or Afternoon Tea with Santa on 16th, 17th & 23rd December and watch the children’s faces light up as the big man arrives from the North Pole. Every child will receive a special gift to take home, and there’ll be crafts and a photo op too. Book for 9-10.30am or 2.30-4pm sessions for £13.95 (child £14.95). www.abakhan.co.uk

•Weekends from 4th November, Guided I’m A Celebrity Tours, Gwrych Castle Fans of the show can tour the castle, including set locations used on the show, with behindthe-scenes access. 1-2.30pm. Tickets £20 (child £10).

•5th November, Wrexham City Bonfire, Marchwiel Enjoy an amazing bonfire with fireworks, funfair and hot food. Gates open 4pm, bonfire lit 6pm, fireworks follow. Entry £5 (under-5s free).

•8th November, Beatrice and Benedict, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead Mid Wales Opera performs this hilarious piece based on Shakespeare’s tale of misunderstood singletons. 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (child £5).

•10th November, The Unknown Soldier, Criccieth Memorial Hall Night Out Wales Rural Touring Theatre performs the Edinburgh Fringe show, written in tribute to the centenary of the return of the Unknown Warrior to Westminster Abbey. 7.30pm. Tickets £15.

•11th November, Cara Hammond, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham Up-and-coming indie singersongwriter Cara hails from Wrexham – catch her debut tour, with support from Rebecca Hurn. 7.30pm. Tickets £8.

•11th November & 10th December, Glass Fused Lanterns Workshop, Wernog Wood, near Ruthin

Enjoy a beginners’ course tutored by practising artists and craftspeople in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 9am-12.30pm. Tickets £61.50.

NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 14TH-25TH NOVEMBER

14th November, This Is The Kit, Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda Kate Stables has a voice of rare, una ected beauty, which she accompanies with her banjo. Currently touring internationally. 7.30pm. Tickets £20.

Merry Zipmas!

North Wales’ magical grotto experience is back at Zip World Llechwedd from 24th November-24th December

•15th November - 17th

December, Oriel Glasfryn Gallery Winter Exhibition

New paintings, ceramics and furniture, featuring Clare Shaughnessy, David Evans, Eric Peake MBE and others. Work will be displayed across the main gallery and Glasfryn Hall, which will be decorated for Christmas and the fires will be lit! Refreshments will be available on weekends.

Venture deep underground aboard the cable railway and explore three enchanting chambers. First up is the Light Maze, where you’ll weave your way to Santa’s Workshop. After peeking behind the scenes, head through the twinkling tunnels to meet him in his cosy Grotto. After receiving your gift and Welsh Slate bauble, journey back above ground and get creative at the Bauble Decorating Station, and

Big performances at Rhyl’s Little eatre

•18th November, Bangor University Symphony Orchestra, Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor Brahms Symphony No.2, Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Robert Schumann’s Genoveve Overture. 7pm. Tickets £12 (over60s £10, students and children www.pontio.co.uk

18th November & 9th December Colwyn Bay Artisan Market Discover unique arts and crafts by local makers: there’ll be artisan gifts and goodies and food trucks serving cuisine from around the world. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

•20th November, Simon Reeve

– To the Ends of the Earth, Venue Cymru, Llandudno The author and TV presenter will o er stories, surprises, thrills, deeper thoughts and hearty laughs. 7.30pm. Tickets £31.50.

Sister Act the Musical, 10th-11th November With powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Phoenix Performers’ Sister Act is a tribute to the universal power of friendship. 3pm & 7pm. Tickets £12 (child £10).

Race into winter

DID YOU KNOW?

The deepest cave in Wales and the UK is Ogof Ffynnon Ddu at 274.5m (901 ft) write a letter to Santa whilst enjoying a complimentary hot chocolate and mince pie. (Grown-ups can have a mulled wine!) Enhance your visit with a round of Grotto Golf on the UK’s only adventure golf in a cave. www.zipworld.co.uk/zipmas

•21st November, Evergreen Plants for Small Gardens, Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Clwyd Hardy Plant Society hosts Anthony Norman, a specialist grower of variegated and coloured foliage hardy nursery stock. 7.30pm. For details call 01352 781 458.

Celebrate the arrival of winter, the coming holidays and reflect on another year of British horse racing at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. Enjoy spectating in the fresh air at the 15th November and 2nd December fixtures. The Christmas Special on 15th December is a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Wear your Christmas jumper for a chance to win a present! Gates 10.30am. www. bangorondeeraces.co.uk

Shoulder To Shoulder, 17th November. How do you beat loneliness? How do you learn to laugh again? This original chamber opera by Swansea City Opera was inspired by the moving, often laugh-out-loud stories by members of charity Men’s Sheds Cymru. 7pm. Tickets £10. www.rhyllittletheatre.co.uk

Fun a oat

Enjoy a luxury festive afternoon tea with mulled wine and Christmas songs as you sail along the Llangollen Canal. Boats run on 3rd, 10th & 17th December – board at Llangollen Wharf at noon, returning 4pm. On 25th November & Saturdays in December come aboard a Christmas party boat to enjoy a retro buffet and Christmas tunes. All tickets £32.95, call 01978 860 702 to book or visit www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk

Santa steams into Bala

Santa will be arriving on Platform 1 at Bala Lake Railway, home of Alice the Little Welsh Engine. On 9th & 10th December decorated trains hauled by steam locos will travel down the line to the Grotto, where children can meet Santa and receive a gift. Grown-ups can get festive with a mince pie and glass of sherry or hot drink. Tickets £12 (child £14). www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

Oystercatchers use their long orange beak to prise open shellfish

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 26TH NOVEMBER –2ND DECEMBER

•26th November, Bodnant Welsh Food Artisan Market, Tal-y-Cafn

Welcome winter with NWWT

Two Waterfalls Winter Walk, 10th November

Enjoy a guided walk to Abergwyngregy’s falls and spot some wonderful winter wildlife, birds, berries, local history and amazing views. 10am-2pm. £2.

SIARC! ... A Journey Into Underwater Wales, 11th November Bangor University hosts a talk by Jake Davies, Welsh marine biologist, videographer and professional scuba diver. 6.30-9pm. Tickets £8 (students £5, refreshments £7).

Birdwatching on Penrhos Coastal Park, 24th November Walk the beaches and headlands, admire bare trees and discover over-wintering birds. 11am-2pm. £2.

Wales Coast Path, Bangor to the Spinnies, 8th December A walk along the newest section of the Coast Path, returning by minibus. 10.30am-2pm. £4 including a hot drink. www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk