CHRISTMAS CRACKER CONCERT at St Andrew and St George United Reformed Church, Bolton, Saturday December 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 from Bolton Hospice Campaign Office at Justicia on Knowsley Street. Details 01204 520040.

FOLK AND BRASS CHRISTMAS SHOW with The Houghton Weavers and Foden Band at Preston Guild Hall and Charter Theatre, Saturday December 22 at 7.30pm. Tickets £10.50-£12.50. Box Office 01772 258858.

RONAN AND S CLUB PARTY presented by Dream Concerts at the Albert Halls, 7pm, Monday December 17. Tickets £6.50. Box Office 01204 334400.

NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA CONCERT with Manchester Concert Orchestra, Monday December 31 -- rousing British Proms treats with indoor fireworks finale concluding at midnight with Auld Lang Syne. Starts at 9.45pm, tickets £10.50-£12.50. Preston Guild Hall and Charter Theatre. Box Office 01772 258858.

THE VERY BEST OF BRASS AND COMEDY with Norman Prince and The Brighouse and Rastrick Band. Buxton Opera house, Water Street, Buxton. Sunday December 23 at 7.30pm. Tickets £9-£12. Box Office 01298 72190.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. St Ann's Hospice Festival Choir will perform traditional carols and Christmas music at its annual Christmas concert, Friday December 21, at 7.30pm with guest presenter, BBC's Martin Henfield, Tickets £10-20. BBC Philharmonic, December 8. Details 0161 498 3630 or 0161 907 9000.

ALBERT HALLS, BOLTON -- New Year Concert with Bolton Symphony Orchestra with Opera '74, Saturday January 13 at 7.30pm, tickets £8-9, conc £7-8. Details 334400.

MANCHESTER APOLLO. Details 0161 242 2560.

Smithills HALL, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton. Box Office 01204 334400.

THE MET, Market Street, Bury. Details 0161 761 2216.

PRESTON GUILD HALL AND CHARTER THEATRE, Lancaster Road, Preston. Lancashire. Details 01772 258858.

RADCLIFFE CIVIC HALL, Radcliffe. Details 0161 253 7812.

HOLMES CHAPEL LEISURE CENTRE, Holmes Chapel. Details 01477 537769.

BURNLEY MECHANICS, Burnley. Details 01254 664411.

KING GEORGES HALL, Northgate, Blackburn. Details 01254 582582.

PALACE THEATRE, Manchester. Details 0161 242 2503.