CHRISTMAS is here and life is in overdrive! Rushing about buying presents, decorating, baking, entertaining, posting cards - stop for a moment and imagine how it would enhance your enjoyment of the season to take in an event or even take a short break. So, how this is for a cracker - The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has a few suggestions on activities to help you make the most out of the festive season.
Curtains up!
The arrival of the panto is always a sign Christmas is upon us. A day at a show is a brilliant way to get your kids into the seasonal spirit. Right through Christmas, May McFettridge will return to the Grand Opera House stage in Peter Pan with Bad Girls villain Jim Fenner (playing the notorious Captain Hook). Tel: (028) 9024 1919 or visit www.goh.co.uk. Performances run through 20th January 2007.
Up to 13th January, Aladdin will be flying into the Waterfront Hall on his magic carpet to entertain children and adults with fantastic panto fun. Tel: (028) 9033 4455 or visit www.waterfront.co.uk for details.
And the Millennium forum continues its fine tradition of staging pantomime, providing the very best in festive entertainment with this year's production of Cinderella. Showing up to 5th January, call (028) 7126 4455 or visit www.milleniumforum.co.uk for more details.
Step back in time this Christmas!
At the Palace Stables Heritage Centre Armagh you can experience Christmas through the ages. See food being prepared for the Victorian Christmas table and hear stories of Christmas past. Make Christmas crafts and visit Victorian Santa through to 23rd December. For more information call (028) 3752 1801 or visit www.visitarmagh.com.
At the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh you will discover the origins of many familiar Christmas customs in rural Ulster and the American frontier. Explore the seasonal traditions of a bygone era in 'Days of Christmas Past' from 20th to 22nd December 2006. Details are available by ringing (028) 8224 3292. or go to www.folkpark.com
For further details on Christmas events in ther Six Counties or to book your short break call 0800 032 5588, drop into you your local tourist information centre or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com.
