As you would expect, the approach to the festive season means plenty of Christmas-themed entertainment - Symphony Hall presents several such concerts, including a Christmas Gala, traditional Carols by Candlelight and New Year's Eve celebrations.

There's also plenty of panto taking place in the region (oh yes there is!) as well as classic Yuletide favourites like The Snowman and A Christmas Carol.

Party nights such as Sing-a-long-a-Abba will get you into the Christmas spirit, along with performances from Bjorn Again and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - while Roy G Hemmings brings his Motown Christmas Show to Bromsgrove. Away from seasonal fare, the RSC's Shakespeare Festival continues, with highlights including a musical version of The Merry Wives of Windsor, starring Judi Dench, and a production of King Lear performed in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Now until Saturday January 6

The RSC presents PERICLES and THE WINTER'S TALE at the Swan Theatre, Stratford. (selected dates)

Saturday November 25

Redditch's Palace Theatre presents CHRISTMAS CROONERS, a tribute to the seasonal songs of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat 'King' Cole.

Tuesday November 28 - Wednesday November 29

The Arena Theatre presents KING LEAR, performed in English and Mandarin Chinese.

Tuesday November 28 - Saturday December 9

The Alexandra Theatre presents GOOD MOURNING MRS BROWN, the second in a comedy trilogy.

Thursday November 30

A solo performance of UNDER MILK WOOD at the Arena Theatre.

Friday December 2

JAZZ SPOTLIGHT at the Norbury Theatre features singer Lee Gibson with the Chris Taylor Trio.

Friday December 2 - Saturday February 10

The RSC presents a musical version of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, starring Judi Dench. (selected dates)

Monday December 4

LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS MUSIC & CAROLS at Symphony Hall with the choristers of Westminster Cathedral.

Monday December 4 - Saturday December 9

An evening of interactive theatre with ON COURSE FOR MURDER at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Wednesday December 6

The Friends of Bromsgrove Festival present a YULETIDE CONCERT in the chapel of Grafton Manor.

STEELEYE SPAN perform at Huntingdon Hall.

Thursday December 7

Artrix in Bromsgrove hosts THE BLUES BAND, featuring Dave Kelly and Paul Jones.

Saturday December 9

KEVIN ROWLANDS & THE RANDOM BAND (plus friends) perform rock and reggae at Artrix.

A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION with the Salvation Army at the Norbury Theatre.

Saturday December 9 - Saturday December 16

Kidderminster's Rose Theatre presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Tuesday December 12

Top ABBA tribute band BJORN AGAIN perform at Malvern's Forum Theatre.

Wednesday December 13

Celebrate Christmas with THE POGUES at the NIA.

Wednesday December 13 - Sunday December 17

The Arena Theatre hosts THE WORLD FAMOUS ZANELLI FRANELLI & HIS TOURING COMPANY as they perform eight pantos in 80 minutes.

Friday December 15

The BACK TO BASIE BIG BAND presents a Christmas Special at the Forum Theatre.

SING-A-LONG-A ABBA returns to the NIA Academy.

Huntingdon Hall presents music, carols and readings in THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.

Saturday December 16

Original nutty boys MADNESS play the NEC Arena.

Malvern Hills District Brass Band presents THE XMAS FACTOR at Huntingdon Hall.

Sunday December 17

Symphony Hall presents a CHRISTMAS GALA, with classical festive favourites and carols for all.

Monday December 18

WHITE CHRISTMAS at Symphony Hall offers seasonal songs to get you in the festive spirit.

Tuesday December 19

The MOTOWN CHRISTMAS SHOW rolls in to Artrix featuring Roy G Hemmings.

Wednesday December 20

The Mozart Festival Orchestra performs in period costume in CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT at Symphony Hall.

Wednesday December 20 - Friday December 22

A mixture of music, poetry and readings in the Nonentities' CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT at the Rose Theatre.

Thursday December 21 - Saturday December 23

Hosted by Aled Jones, the CBSO presents CHRISTMAS CRACKERS at Symphony Hall.

Artrix welcomes KING PLEASURE & THE BISCUIT BOYS.

Friday December 22

A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA featuring classical favourites at Huntingdon Hall.

Wednesday December 27

Symphony Hall presents a RUSSIAN GALA, featuring an indoor firework finale.

Sunday December 31

A NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA at Symphony Hall, including proms favourites and complimentary interval refreshments.

Friday January 5 - Sunday January 28

Well-loved children's tale THE SNOWMAN comes to the Birmingham Rep.

Wednesday January 10 - Saturday January 20

The RSC performs DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE, written in response to Much Ado About Nothing, at the Swan Theatre in Stratford.

Thursday January 11 - Saturday February 17

The RSC perform RICHARD III at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre. (selected dates)

Monday January 15 - Friday January 19

The Arena Theatre presents CINDERELLA, performed by drama students from the University of Wolverhampton.

Tuesday January 16 - Saturday January 27

Worcester's Swan Theatre presents an amateur production of PUSS IN BOOTS.

Thursday January 18

Huntingdon Hall hosts tribute band THE BYRDZ.

Monday January 22

The Grand Theatre presents AN AUDIENCE WITH CAROL THATCHER.

Monday January 29 - Saturday February 3

The stage version of popular film STEEL MAGNOLIAS comes to the Rose Theatre.

Thursday February 1

CHAS AND DAVE perform at Huntingdon Hall.

Thursday February 1 - Saturday February 3

An Italian production of HENRY V at Stratford's Swan Theatre (RSC).

Tuesday February 6 - Saturday February 10

The Grand Theatre presents THATCHER THE MUSICAL!, a satire on the Iron Lady's regime.

Shakespeare's CYMBELINE is performed by Kneehigh Theatre at the Rep.

Wednesday February 7 - Saturday February 10

Birmingham Royal Ballet performs CYRANO at the Hippodrome.

Thursday February 8

Huntingdon Hall presents A 60s NIGHT OUT featuring The Fortunes and The Ivy Leagues.

Pantomimes

Wednesday November 29 - Friday December 30

The Birmingham Rep presents ALICE IN WONDERLAND: A MUSICAL.

Monday December 4 - Sunday December 31

A magical production of PETER PAN at the Palace Theatre, Redditch.

Tuesday December 5 - Saturday December 30

Worcester's Swan Theatre presents SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.

Saturday December 9 - Sunday February 4

Lesley Joseph stars in another version of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Friday December 15 - Sunday January 7

Liza Goddard stars in CINDERELLA at Malvern Theatres.

Tuesday December 19 - Sunday January 28

Birmingham's Hippodrome also presents CINDERELLA, starring Brian Conley.

Thursday January 11 - Saturday January 27

The Norbury Theatre presents BABES IN THE WOOD (selected dates).

Theatre contact details

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham: 0870 607 7533

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 321321

Artrix, Bromsgrove: 01527 577330

Birmingham Hippodrome: 0870 730 1234

Birmingham Repertory Theatre: 0121 236 4455

Grafton Manor concert: 01562 883290

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 429212

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester: 01905 611427

Malvern Theatres: 01684 892277

NEC, Birmingham: 0870 909 4133

NIA, Birmingham: 0121 780 4444

Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa: 01905 795619

Palace Theatre, Redditch: 01527 65203

Rose Theatre, Kidderminster: 01562 743754

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC): 0870 609 1110

Swan Theatre, Worcester: 01905 611427

Symphony Hall, Birmingham: 0121 780 3333