The Guide: Weekend things to do

A few suggestions to help you plan your weekend.

Festival of Angels

The annual Festival of Angels takes place this weekend in and around the Swinegate area of York.

It is a true Christmas festival, transforming York's unique streets into a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, stalls, al fresco dining, street entertainment and guaranteed 'snow' showers.

You'll see Santa in the streets and can follow the Parade of Angels on Sunday, led by the beautiful Golden Angel.

The festival takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December from 12 noon until 6pm.

For more information visit the Festival of Angels website.

Sing Hallelujah

Inspiration will put on a concert culminating in the Hallelujah Chorus

Hundreds of singers will be performing in North Yorkshire during December as part of a BBC nationwide project, Sing Hallelujah.

The aim is to encourage people to find their voice and discover the joy of singing, through the world famous Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

Ripon Racecourse is hosting the biggest of these performances on Sunday 13 December when Inspiration, two community choirs from Newcastle and Leeds, will put on a concert culminating in the Hallelujah Chorus.

There are no auditions to join the choirs, which were founded by Gary Griffiths. They include singers from all walks of life and of all abilities.

Almost 600 people from the two choirs have said they will be taking part in the event and BBC Radio York's Big Red Bus will be there.

The event is free to enter, with ample parking. Singing starts at 1pm with the Hallelujah Chorus scheduled for 3pm.

Anyone who would like to join in to sing the Chorus is welcome to do so for a donation of £5, which will go to BBC Children in Need.

Inspiration will perform at Ripon Racecourse on Sunday 13 December

For more information about the choir go to the Inspiration website.

The combined choirs of Ampleforth Abbey will join together to perform Handel's Messiah on Sunday 13 December.

The combined choirs of Ampleforth Abbey will perform the Messiah

Singers from the Schola Cantorum, one of only a few all male Catholic choirs in the UK, will sing alongside the Schola Puellarum, a 30-strong girls' choir formed after the college went co-educational in 2004.

They will be joined by the Schola Sancti Martini which is made up of children from the prep school St. Martin's, Ampleforth.

The performance takes place in the Abbey Church and starts at 7.30pm.

Ampleforth Abbey's combined choirs will perform on Sunday 13 December

For more information go to the Ampleforth College website.

Children's concert

Magical music for children at Scarborough Spa this weekend

Children are surrounded by music more than ever before but how many of them ever listen to classical music?

Well, Scarborough Symphony Orchestra want to make sure every child gets a chance to enjoy live orchestral music.

They're putting on a special Christmas concert full of magical, musical treats and it is completely free for children.

Music featured includes: Pinocchio, A Merry Overture, Tubby the Tuba and the Snowman Suite.

The concert takes place in the Ocean Room at the Spa on Sunday December 13 and begins at 4.30 pm.

Tickets are priced at £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and free for children and students.

For more details visit the Scarborough Symphony Orchestra website.

Victorian weekend

Malton marketplace will be turning the clock back for the Victorian weekend

Malton & Norton are holding their annual Victorian weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

Highlights of the weekend include: a Victorian market, Dickensian activities, a Victorian fun fair, a brass band, a Christmas pudding eating competition, games and a beer festival.

The events run throughout the weekend.

Find out more details on the We love Malton website.