The Guide: weekend things to do

A few suggestions to help you plan your weekend (18 - 20 December).

Merry Markets

Stall holders are coming from all over Europe and there will be entertainment

Christmas International Market

Santa's reindeers will visit Market Place in Ramsbottom on Sunday 20 December from 11am to 3pm during this weekend's Christmas International Market.

Young and old are welcome to pet and feed Rudolph and friends, take a souvenir picture, and find out more about the reindeer.

Meanwhile, food and gifts from around the world will be on sale over the two-day market on Saturday and Sunday on Bridge Street from 11am to 8pm.

Stall holders are coming from all over Europe and as far afield as Asia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Morocco and Ghana and there will be entertainment including carol singing by pupils at Summerseat Primary School, a living nativity by Churches Together, face-painting, Stalybridge Brass Band, and the Lancashire Hawks and Owls.

There's an extra event on Saturday 19 December aimed at gourmets - a Food and Drink Tasting Evening at Ramsbottom Civic Hall. Admission is £5 which includes a glass of wine, free food samples, and you can buy vouchers to try various wines. Tickets are available from The Vineyard, 12 Square Street, Ramsbottom (01706 822 213), or pay on the door. It starts at 7.30pm.

Visit the Ramsbottom events website for more details.

Baubles and Bands

A festival of Christmas favourites with a selection of well-known pieces

Christmas concert

The Lancashire Youth Concert Band and Lancashire Schools Concert Band are holding their Christmas concert at St Walburge's Church in Preston on Saturday 19 December at 7.30pm.

It's a festival of Christmas favourites together with a selection of well-known concert band and musical theatre pieces.

Refreshments will be available.

Tickets will be available on the door: Adults - £6, Children under 16 - £4.

Swing at the Station

Carnforth station Refreshment Room provides the backdrop

Sue Parish at Carnforth Station

The intimate setting of Carnforth Station Refreshment Room provides the backdrop to swing into Christmas with popular vocalist Sue Parish on Friday 18 December.

Sue will perform a variety of seasonal songs, including plenty of Christmas favourites, accompanied by jazz musicians Vinny Parker on piano and Dave Turner on bass.

Mulled wine and hot turkey butties are included in the ticket price of £10, and the show starts at 7.30pm.

Places are limited, and reservations can be made by telephoning 01524 732432.

Seasonal Sunnyhurst

The Ashleigh Singers are getting together with Darwen Brass Band

Carols in the Wood

The Ashleigh Singers are getting together with Darwen Brass Band for a concert at the Band Stand in Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen.

The event is on Sunday 20 December between 1.45pm and 2.30pm and admission is free.

Father Christmas and refreshments will be in the Visitor Centre.

Poetry and Prose

Nigel Jay will be reading from his first novel

Be a star of the Spotlight show

Have you got the gift of the gab? Now's your chance to prove it in the Open Mic event at the Spotlight Club at The Storey Auditorium on Meeting House Lane in Lancaster.

Spotlight is a regular live-writing club night giving writers, performers, readers and musicians the chance to take to the stage.

As well as the Open Mic event, the main Spotlight bill features six special performers including ex-BBC North West Tonight presenter Nigel Jay.

Nigel will be reading from his first novel, 'And No Wings' using humour and fantasy to look at serious issues such as pollution, politics and globalisation.

Poets Michael Durrant, Antony Christie and Angela Martin will also be taking to the stage followed by comedian Reginald Winters who had a four star sell out show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with 'How To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse' and Kevin Wilkinson provides the finale with his new mini album.

Spotlight starts at 8.15pm on Friday 18 December 2009 and admission is £4 (£2 for concessions).

Visit the Spotlight Lancaster website for more details.