And as the countdown to the festive season begins, Northumberland Now takes a look at some of the seasonal entertainment coming to venues near you.

Christmas crackers include Northumberland Theatre Company's (NTC) latest production, The Last Snow Rider. The group will be spreading winter magic throughout the region – and beyond – with this seasonal modern fairytale over the course of a two-month tour starting at Alnwick Playhouse on Friday, November 27.

The Snow Rider can also be seen at venues including Etal Village Hall on December 18, Glanton Memorial Hall on January 2, Morpeth Town Hall on January 26, and Seahouses First School a day later.

The tour concludes at Longhirst Village Hall, on January 30. Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk for more information.

The Snow Rider is just part of a sleigh-full of seasonal delights on offer at the Playhouse.

On Saturday, November 28, the Silver Bells Christmas Show hits the stage, combining the music of the present with the spirit of Christmas
past.

The Nick Ross Orchestra will be getting people in the Christmas mood on December 5 by adding a yuletide twist to their big band sound of the 1940s.

Carols and other festive music will sound through the Playhouse on December 18 and 19 as the Reg Vardy Band and Alnwick Choral Society take to the stage.

Talented youngsters also get in on the act, with a variety performance from students at the Duke's Middle School in Alnwick on December 8 and 9.

Just two days before Christmas, the People's Theatre Company presents Bink And The Hairy Fairy, a fun-filled musical for children.

The festive fun continues into the New Year.

Alnwick Theatre Club presents its latest panto – Snow White – from January 16 to 23. For more information, visit www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

Bink And The Hairy Fairy is also on at The Maltings in Berwick on December 21 and December 22.

And that's not the only Christmas entertainment The Maltings has to offer.

From December 3 to 6, the Berwick Broadcasting Corporation stages Cautionary Christmas Tales, and on December 11, Opera North presents Swanhunter, a small-scale opera sung in English.

The Tweed Children's Choir are back by popular demand to sing a host of seasonal songs on December 15.

The Christmas spirit continues five days later with Berwick Community Choir's mince pies and music showcase.

The show goes on after the New Year as Spittal Variety Group performs Sinbad the Sailor – His Eighth Voyage, a panto on from January 19 to 24.

For more information, contact the Maltings on 01289 330999.

Panto season is also in full swing further south.

Newcastle's Theatre Royal hosts Cinderella between December 1 and January 16. This star-studded show features former Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett, pictured, in the title role, as well as comedy duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams – playing The Baron and Buttons respectively. For more details, visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Aladdin is on at the city's Journal Tyne Theatre between December 11 and January 9. The cast includes another former Emmerdale star, Frazer Hines. Visit www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk for details.

Swashbuckling action is on the cards at the Sunderland Empire as high-flying panto Peter Pan hits the stage. The show – on from December 12 to January 3 – stars John Challis, Boycie in the classic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses as Captain Hook and yet another Emmerdale regular, James Baxter, as Peter Pan. For more information, visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk

More locally, the Belford Singers will be performing festive music.
The group perform at St James's Church in Morpeth on Saturday, November 28, St Mary's Church in Wooler on December 6, and Wallington on December 12. For more information, visit www.belfordsingers.co.uk

The Hotspur Players celebrate their 10th anniversary with the Christmas show Cinderella: Experiencing The Credit Crunch, followed by a variety of sketches. The opening night, December 4, has already sold out, but tickets, priced £5, are still available for the second performance on December 5 at Lesbury Village Hall.

Proceeds from both shows will be divided between the Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal and the village hall. Tickets are available by ringing Alison Strong on 01665 602163.

After Christmas, Belsay Hall will provide a backdrop for three days of live theatre. Oliver Twist will be performed twice a day from December 29 to 31. For more details, call 01661 881636.