FESTIVE EVENTS

KING GEORGES HALL, Northgate, Blackburn. Afternoon music Hall Christmas Special. Thursday December 14. Ring 01254 582582.

CARNEGIE HALL, Westhoughton Town Hall. Carol Service by Westhoughton Evangelical Church followed by tea, coffee and mince pies. Tonight. Starts 8pm. Ring Barrie Stott on 01942 817892.

BARNSIDE HALL, Barnside Avenue, Walkden. Christmas Party with the Bronco Boots Line Dance Club and featuring the Hot Country Sounds Disco and DJ Kamikazi Cowgirl. Admission £2.50. Tuesday December December 12. Starts 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

PEMBROKE HALLS, Walkden. Christmas Special American Line Dancing Special with Kamikazi and the Hot Country Sounds Disco and see in Christmas Eve in aid of Francis house Children's Hospice. Saturday December 23. Starts 7.30pm to midnight. Tickets £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Ring Kerris Milligan on 0161 950 1711 or visit the booking office, Ellesmere Shopping Centre, Walkden.

ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY CHURCH, Lonsdale Road, Heaton, Bolton. Christmas by Candlelight concert featuring Bolton Sinfonietta and including Corelli, Scarlatti and Suk. Sunday December 10. Starts 7.30pm. Ring Sheila Tonge on 01257 267262 for further information or 01204 334400 for tickets.

Adlington COMMUNITY CENTRE, Railway Road, Adlington. Christmas Concert by the Adlington Music and Arts Society. Friday December 15 and Saturday December 16. Starts 7.15pm. Tickets £6 available from Cards and Things, Railway Road, Adlington.

ADLINGTON TOWN CAROL SERVICE with Rivington and Adlington Brass Band. Monday December 18. Starts 7.30pm. Outside Library.

BOLTON DIY, off Bentinck Street, off Chorley Old Road. Gala Day Santa's Grotto. Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10. Proceeds in aid of Bolton Hospice.

VICTORIA HALL, Knowsley Street, Bolton. Christmas Concert featuring Bolton Youth Orchestra and Opera 74. The programme includes Serenade by Richard Strauss, Winter from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi, Sir Malcolm Arnold's The Song of Simeon, a Nativity Masque and the whole of Act Two of Puccini's La Boheme. Tonight . Starts 7.30pm. Ring 592064, 334400 or 658804 for tickets.

WITHINS LEISURE CENTRE, Newby Road, Breightmet, Bolton. Withins Youth Group is holding make a Christmas lantern sessions in a bid to light up Breightmet for Christmas and the New Year. Wednesday December 13. Starts 7.30pm-9.30pm.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Christmas Carols Concert. Monday December 11 and Tuesday December 12. Starts 7.30pm. Proceeds in aid of the Manchester Hospitals Sargent Cancert Care for Children. Ring 0161 907 9000.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. An evening of traditional Carols and Christmas music featuring St Ann's Hospital Festival Choir, Trinity Church of England High School Choir, Stockport Youth Choir and Chorus Brass. Friday December 15. Starts 7.30pm. Proceeds in aid of St Ann's Hospice. Ring 0161 907 9000.

LOWTON CIVIC HALL. Native greenery demonstrations for Christmas decorations by a park ranger. Sunday December 10. Starts 1pm to 3pm. Ring 01942 404848.

UCAN CENTRE, 4 Lily Street, off Chorley Old Road, Bolton. Visit Father Christmas in his grotto, face painting, raffle, tombola, and competitions. Saturday December 9. Starts 11am to 3pm. Admission 50p.

METHODIST CHURCH HALL, Tottington Road, Harwood. Christmas Joy Concert by Margaret Lindsay and friends. Tonight. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £3.50 and concessions £3 in aid of Bolton RSPCA and Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter. Ring 303887.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Christmas Carol Concert with conductor Keith Orrell. Saturday December 23. Performances at 3pm and 7.30pm. Sunday December 24. Performance 3pm. Proceeds in aid of the Charles Halle Foundation, the Halle Appeal and Halle Education. Ring 0161 907 9000.

SANTA will be travelling around the streets of Bolton in the Rotary Club of Turton Christmas Sleigh raising cash for charity and entertaining children. Look out for him on Friday, December 8, Bromley Cross, Lowstern Close, Smith Lane, Cox Green Road, Arnold Road, Hospital Road, Somersby Drive, Saxby Avenue, Horse Shoe Lane and Kibbies Brow; Monday December 11, Harwood, Longsight Lane, Hough Fold Way, South Drive, Heathfield, Downgreen Road and Stitch mi Lane; Tuesday December 12, Dunscar, Higher Dunscar, Briggs Fold Road, Cox Green Road, Blackburn Road, Delph Brook Way and Hall Coppice; Wednesday December 13, Sharples, Rainshaw Street, Ashworth Lane, Whitegate Drive, Hill Cot Road and Sharples Hall Drive' Thursday December 14, Astley Bridge, Oldhams Estate, Bar Lane and Sweetloves Lane; Friday December 15, Astley Bridge, Templecombe Drive, Belmont Road, Whitehall Lane, Wilkinson Road, Oakworth Drive, Sharples Avenue, Staveley Avenue and Kermoor Avenue. Starts 5.30pm each day.

ST BRENDAN'S CHURCH, Harwood, Bolton. Christmas Concert by the Brixi Singers Group. Friday December 22. Starts 7.30pm. Ring 306051 for tickets.

MOSES GATE COUNTRY PARK. Help The Red Nosed Ranger find Santa in association with the Croal Irwell Valley Countryside Service. Saturday December 23. Starts 1pm. Meet at Rock Hall Visitor Centre. Ring 334343 for further details.

ST LUKE'S CHURCH, Chorley Old Road, Bolton. Christmas Brass Concert featuring the Eaton and Farnworth Band. Wednesday December 13. Starts 8pm. Tickets £2.50 and concessions £1.50 including refreshments available from the Church Office.

B ROWNLOW FOLD COMMUNITY CENTRE. Christmas Party with a buffet and entertainment. Thursday December 14. Tickets 50p. Ring Sue or Janet on 362325.

HALLIWELL ROAD FREE CHURCH. Christmas Lunch followed by entertainment. Saturday December 16. Starts 1pm. Tickets £7.50. Also, Carol Service. Sunday December 17. Starts 6.30pm.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Carol Concert by the Manchester Boys Choir. Friday December 22. Starts 7.30pm. Ring 0161 907 9000.

VICTORIA HALL, Knowsley Street, Bolton. Family Carol Concert by Bolton Choral Union and Besses o'th'Barn Band. Saturday December 16. Starts 7.30pm. Ring 492301 or 334400.

CLIFTON VISITORS CENTRE, Country Park, Salford. Christmas decorations making sessions from natural materials and holly and ivy. Saturday December 23. Starts 10.30am. Ring 0161 793 4219 to book.

ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL, Green Lane, Great Lever. Christmas Fair with Father Christmas. Saturday December 9. Starts 11am to 2pm. Admission 20p.

DARWEN LEISURE CENTRE, Green Street, Darwen. Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band Christmas Concert. Sunday December 10. Starts 1.30pm.

BARLOW INSTITUTE, Edgworth. Christmas Dance Show. Sunday December 10. Starts 2pm.

DARWEN COMMUNITY CENTRE. Traditional Christmas get together with guest speaker. Thursday December 14. Starts 1.30pm.

ACCRINGTON TOWN HALL. Christmas Dance with Frank and Doris Raw performing sequence, latin and modern ballroom. Saturday December 9. Starts 8pm.

ARLEY HALL & GARDENS, Northwich, Cheshire. Christmas Days with carousels, fairground organs, horse drawn carts, vans, carriages and vehicles of yesteryear. A nativity scene will be set up in the barn and entertainment from the Glazebury Handbell ringers. Sunday December 10. Ring 01565 777353.

ALBERT HALLS, Victoria Square, Bolton. Dream Xmas! starring Steps Beyond and Boyslife. Monday December 11, Starts 7pm. Tickets £5. Ring 334400.

SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford. Dress it up! Santa's elves have got stuck in the snow so the Museum needs help to decorate the Christmas tree. Also, I Wish! Come along and make a wish at the Christmas Wish Tree. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4.45pm and Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.

ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Ordsall Lane, Ordsall Lane, Salford. Deck the Hall. Help to decorate the Great Hall with holly and other traditional Tudor decorations. Times 2pm to 4pm. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm.

BREWERY ARTS CENTRE, Highgate, Kendal. Christmas Party with John Ellis' Big Band. Saturday December 16. Starts 8.30pm. Tickets £8 and £7 concessions. Also, Christmas Ceilidh. Sunday December 17. Starts 8pm. Ring 01539 725133.

IRISH WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE, 10 Queens Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Christmas Party with Darrel Higham and The Enforcers and The Reservoir Cats. Friday December 15. Tickets £8. Ring 0161 205 4007.

SADDLEWORTH MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, High Street, Uppermill, near Oldham. Christmas Family Fun. An opportunity to decorate festive biscuits, make gift boxes and stencilling wrapping paper, tree decorations, paper garlands, table decorations, cards and bobbin robins. Children £2. Children aged 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday December 9. Starts 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Ring 01457 874093.

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Leeds. Knights of Christmas. Festive holiday fun with a Tudor theme centred around the Court of Good Queen Bess and the 12 Knights of Christmas. Activities include puppet making, apple bobbing, storytelling and object handling plus reading from Christmas in Tudor times, falconry, Tudor riding skills and hobby horse tournament. Runs from December 16 to January 7 2001. Also, UNICEF Carol Concert. Saturday December 16. Starts 4.30pm. Open Monday to Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Closes 5.30pm during school holidays. Ring 0113 220 1916 or 0990 1066 66.

BOLTON MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. Rubensian Christmas Decorations. A chance to decorate the Museum's Christmas tree with creations inspired by the Rubens exhibition. Saturday December 9 and Saturday December 16. Starts 10.30am to 3.30pm. Ring 332211.

GAWTHORPE HALL, Padiham, Nr Burnley. A Victorian Christmas for the whole family. Sunday December 17. Starts 12 noon to 4pm. Also, Victorian Christmas featuring indoor games, food preparation, decorations and Father Christmas for children. Runs from Monday December 11 to Friday December 15. Ring 01282 771004.

BROOKSIDE GARDEN CENTRE, Poynton. Father Christmas is in residence until December 24.

TATTON PARK, Knutsford. Santa at the Farm. Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10. Also, Visit the Mansion. Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10. Ring 01625 534400.

BLAKEMERE CRAFT CENTRE, Northwich. Christmas Carols. Saturday December 9. Ring 01606 883261.

MUSEUM OF HATTING, Stockport. Fabric Christmas Decorations. Saturday December 9. Ring 0161 355 7770.

ARLEY HALL AND GARDENS, Northwich. Christmas Days. Sunday December 10. Ring 01565 777353 ext. 28.

BOAT MUSEUM, Ellesmere Port. Santa Cruises. Sunday December 10. Ring 0151 355 5017.

WALTON HALL AND GARDENS, Warrington. Walton's Christmas Package. Thursday December 14. Also, Christmas Craft Workshop and Lunch. Thursday December 14. Ring 01925 261957.

HEATON PARK, Manchester. Christmas Extravaganza with Santa's Grotto. Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10.

PUMP HOUSE PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM, Manchester. Escape from Christmas Shopping by creating your own Festive Crafts. Saturday December 16 and Sunday December 17. Ring 0161 839 6061.

ALBERT SQUARE, Manchester. Craft and Christmas Farmers Market. Runs from Thursday December 14 to Sunday December 17.

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE, Water Street, Buxton. Annual Christmas Carol Concert with the Buxton Music Society Chorus and Orchestra and St Annes Primary School. Sunday December 10. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £7, £8.50 and £10. Also, The Houghton Weavers Christmas Show. Sunday December 17. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £8.50, £10 and £11.50. Ring 01298 72190.

QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, West Street, Oldham. The Magic of Christmas featuring the Oldham Youth Wind Band, Oldham Youth Orchestra, Oldham Boys Choir and Oldham Youth Choir. Thursday December 14. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £4 and £2.50 concessions. Ring 0161 911 4072.

PRESTON GUILD HALL AND CHARTER THEATRE, Lancaster Road, Preston. Lancashire Youth Christmas Concert. Sunday December 10. Starts 3pm. Tickets £5. Also, A Festival For Christmas 2000 featuring the Preston Orpheus Choir and local school choirs. Saturday December 16. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £6. Also, A Children's Special of Christmas music by the Camerata Brass. Tuesday December 12. Starts 1.05pm. Tickets £3.50 and £1.50 for children. Also, Christmas Carol Concert featuring music by Northern Chamber Orchestra and local choirs. Starts 6pm. Tickets £8 and £5 for children. Ring 01772 258858.

BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL, Cathedral Close, Blackburn. Handel's Messiah. Saturday December 9. Starts 7.30pm.

WEAVERS COTTAGE, Rawtenstall. Christmas Fair. An array of craft stalls and local history book stall and weaving and craft demonstrations. Saturday December 9. Starts 11am to 4pm. Ring 01706 229937.

GROUNDWORK COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE, New Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall. Christmas Tree Sale. Saturday December 9 anmd Sunday December 10. Starts 11am to 4pm.

ACCRINGTON TOWN HALL. Christmas Dance. Modern, sequence and latin dancing with Frank and Doris Raw. Saturday December 9. Starts 8pm. Ring 01254 380293.

KINGS GEORGES HALL, Northgate, Blackburn. Blackburn's Annual Civic Carol Concert. Sunday December 10. Starts 7pm. Ring 01254 582582.

BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL, Cathedral Close, Blackburn. Carol Concert by St Gabriel's School. Monday December 11. Starts 1pm. Also, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Carol Service. Monday December 11. Starts 7.30pm. Also, St Cuthbert's School Carol Concert. Tuesday December 12. Starts 1pm. Also, St Wilfrid's School Carol Concert, Tuesday December 12. Starts 7.30pm. Also, St Peter and Pauls School Carol Concert. Wednesday December 13. Starts 1pm. Also, St Peter's School Carol Concert. Thursday December 14. Starts 1pm. Also, Westholme School Carol Concert. Thursday December 14. Starts 7.30pm.

WITTON COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE. Christmas Ghost Stories told by professional ghost walker Simon Entwistle. Tuesday December 12. Adults £3 and children £1. Ring 01254 55423.

BLACKBURN CATHEDRAL, Cathedral Close, Blackburn. Hospice Christmas Event. Wednesday December 13. Starts 7.30pm.

KING GEORGES HALL, Northgate, Blackburn. Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Christmas Tea Dance. Wednesday December 13. Starts 1pm. Admission £1. Ring 01254 582582.

NEW ASTORIA BALLROOM, Rawstenstgall. Salvation Army Festive Songs Concert. Monday December 1. Starts 7pm to 9.30pm. Ring 01706 226590.

PRESTON GUILD HALL AND CHARTER THEATRE, Lancaster Road, Preston. The Houghton Weavers Folk and Brass Christmas Concert with the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. Saturday December 23. Ring 01772 258858.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Christmas Gala Concert. Sunday December 10. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £13.50, £18, £22.50 and £26.50. Also, Hospitals' Christmas Carol Concerts. Monday December 11 and Tuesday December 12. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £7, £10, £12 and £16. Ring 0161 907 9000.

OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton. The Houghton Weavers Christmas Show. Monday December 11 and Monday December 18. Ring 520661.

MONACO BALLROOM, Hindley. The Houghton Weavers Christmas Show. Sunday December 10. Ring 01942 255 138.

BRIDGEWATER HALL, Manchester. Halle Orchestra Christmas Carol Concert. Saturday December 23. Starts 3pm and 7.30pm. Sunday December 24. Starts 3pm. Ring 0161 907 9000.

MUNICIPAL HALL, Colne. Manchester Camerata Festive Concert featuring Baroque classics, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 5. Thursday December 14. Starts7.30pm. Tickets £8, £9, £10. Rng 01282 661 234.

HORWICH MOOR METHODIST CHURCH, Old Lane, Bottom o'th Moor, Horwich. Gift Day with a Christmas Tea. Saturday December 9. Starts 3pm.

DARWEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, Knott Street, Darwen. Traditional Christmas get together. Thursday December 14. Also, Social Club Christmas Lunch. Monday December 18. Also, Smarties Parents and Toddlers Christmas Party. Starts 1pm to 3pm. Also, Junior Club Christmas Disco. Tuesday December 19. Starts 4pm. Ring 703492.

OSWALDTWISTLE CIVIC THEATRE. The Houghton Weavers Christmas Show. Thursday December 14. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £9.50 and £8.50 concessions.

ACCRINGTON TOWN HALL. A Seasonal Christmas Concert with the Rossendale Ladies Choir, Rossendale Male Voice Choir and Greater Manchester Police Band. Sunday December 17. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £5.50 and £4.50 concessions.

OSWALDTWISTLE CIVIC THEATRE. Holly At Christmas. A Buddy Holly Tribute Show. Thursday December 21. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £9 and £8 concessions.

ARLEY HALL AND GARDENS, Nr Northwich, Cheshire. Christmas Days at Arley Hall. Lady Ashbrook has organised the deocrations creating garlands, wreaths, kissing rings and floral arrangements and a special room for Father Christmas. Sunday December 10. Starts 11am to 4pm. Adults £4, senior citizens £3, children 10 and under free. Ring 01565 777353.

ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Ordsall Lane, Ordsall, Salford. Tudor Christmas. An afternoon of festive music and food. Sunday December 10. Starts 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK AND WET EARTH COLLIERY, Clifton House Road, Clifton. Winter Wonderland Walk. Sunday December 10. Ring 0161 793 4219.

MARITIME MUSEUM, St George's Quay, Lancaster. A Partridge in a Pear Tree. An exhibition based on 12 Days of Christmas. Open 1pm to 3.30pm. Ring 01524 64637.

CITY MUSEUM, Market Square, Lancaster. Roman soldier Marcus Aulus Nepos has heard an event called Christmas is coming. Saturday December 9. Open 10.30am to noon and 1pm to 3.30pm. Ring 01524 64637.

SOMERSET ROAD CHURCH, Bolton. Queensway Singers Christmas Concert. Today Starts 2pm. Admission £2.

FARNWORTH UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, Albert Road, Farnworth. Carols by Candlelight. Sunday December 17. Starts 3.30pm. Also, Carols and Lessons. Sunday December 24. Starts 10.45am.

ALDER BANK COMMUNITY CARE CENTRE, Melville Road, Kearsley. Christmas Fair. Saturday December 9. Starts 2pm to 4.30pm. Admission 50p, accompanied children free.

FRED ALDOUS LTD, Lever Street, Manchester. Christmas Card Bonanza with glass apinting, pergamano and rubber stamping demonstrations. Saturday December 9. Starts 10.30am to 3.30pm.

ST GREGORYS CHURCH, Church Street, Farnworth. Christmas Fair. Sunday December 11. Starts 11.30am to 1.30pm.

ACCRINGTON TOWN HALL. Christmas Fair. Saturday December 9. Starts 10am.