TIS the season to be jolly....
Tra la la la la la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
And although most venues are enjoying a quiet period, there is still a whole host of music, drama, festive and community events to enjoy in the coming week.
For some panto fun, why not head to the Gaiety Theatre to see the Manx Operatic Society’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Shows are nightly at 7.30pm with various matinee shows available at 2.30pm. Tickets start at £20, with concessions available. Call 600555. See page 21 for a review of the show.
Throughout the festive period there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the meaning of Christmas in churches around the island.
These include Christmas in the Barn at Ballacreggan Farm, Glen Maye at 6pm on Saturday. This atmospheric celebration of the story of Christ includes carol singing, music led by Crosby Silver Band, nativity scenes and animals. You are encouraged to go dressed up. Last year more than 400 people turned up. On Christmas Eve, you can enjoy a Crib and Christingle Service at Peel Cathedral at 5.30pm and a Midnight Eucharist at 11.30pm. There will also be a Nativity play at 3pm in St Matthew’s Church on North Quay, Douglas, Christmas Eve Carols at Sulby Methodist Church at 5pm and a kid’s Candlelit Crib Service, 6pm, and a Candlelit Communion, 11.30pm, at St James’ Church, Dalby. On Christmas Day, you could head back to Peel Cathedral for a BCP Communion at 8.30am and a Christmas Eucharist at 10.30am.
The Groudle Glen Railway will operate its Santa Trains on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4.30pm.
And the Santa Trams have returned and will be leaving Derby Castle, Douglas, every half hour between 11.10am and 2.10pm on Sunday. Contact the Welcome Centre on 600555 to book a time.
Meanwhile, thanks to the Rotary Club of Douglas, Santa and his sleigh will be dropping into Strand Street and Regent Street, Douglas, on Saturday.
Christmas Day (Tuesday) is obviously a quiet day but then the community fun starts again on Boxing Day (Wednesday) with the island’s traditional Hunt the Wren. See page 20 for details of where and when you can join in the music, dance and wren pole competitions.
Groudle Glen Railway will also re-open to run its Mince Pie Trains between 11am and 4.30pm.
Then next Thursday, the Mollag Bands return to host their musical Mollag Ghennal celebration at Douglas Freemasons Hall. See page 20 for full details.
Finally, in the New Year you can join the hundreds of dippers who will be plunging into the sea on January 1 (see page 23), you could join in with the Illiam Dhone commemorations at Hango Hill on Janury 2 and you are invited to celebrate Old Christmas Day with a ceili on January 4 (see page 20).