The festive season is now in full swing with a host of special Christmas performances. Various venues present programmes of well-loved carols and wintry classical favourites, with candlelight and costume on the agenda, while seasonal comedy also makes an appearance thanks to some festive monologues.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the classic story of Scrooge, not to mention a fairy tale or two - the tale of Beauty and the Beast is told through ballet, and the Russian Ice Stars are in town for Snow White on Ice. There's also plenty of panto at the region's theatres (if you haven't booked your tickets yet, hurry!) and the kids are sure to enjoy a stage version of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and a visit from the stars of CBeebies.

Alvin Stardust, Shakin' Stevens or the Night Fever Party will help you get into the party mood, while Rula Lenska hosts an unusual evening of festive fun. The celebrations continue with Boxing Day and New Year concerts.

Non-seasonal performances come from top names like Status Quo, UB40, Blondie, and the re-formed Pogues, while 1980s stars Duran Duran and A-ha are appearing, alongside recent bands like Feeder and Faithless. There's also a choice of two Abba tributes, plus the popular Bootleg Beatles.

Until Saturday December 3

The Birmingham Rep presents ONLY THE LONELY, an incisive play based on the fear of being alone.

Friday November 25

Welsh singing sensation KATHERINE JENKINS appears at Symphony Hall.

Techno group THE PRODIGY appear at the NIA.

Friday November 25 - Saturday February 4

A new adaptation of Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS begins its run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Saturday November 26

The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra perform 20th CENTURY RUSSIAN CLASSICS at Symphony Hall.

Saturday November 26 - Sunday November 27

The NEC hosts the MEMORABILIA & SPORTING MEMORABILIA show.

Monday November 28 - Saturday December 3

The timeless story of SCROOGE comes to the Alexandra Theatre, starring Shane Richie.

Tom Conti stars in Tom Stoppard's comedy THE REAL THING at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Tuesday November 29

Cotswold House in Gloucestershire hosts a special lunch event with BBC World Affairs Editor JOHN SIMPSON CBE, talking about his early years.

The Swan Theatre presents murder-mystery SIGN IN FOR MURDER, plus a Christmas buffet.

GLENN TILBROOK AND THE FLUFFERS play at Huntingdon Hall.

Tuesday November 29 - Saturday December 3

St Petersburg Ballet Theatre present LA BAYADERE and SWAN LAKE at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Tuesday November 29 - Wednesday December 30

Michael Ball and the CBSO perform the music from SOUTH PACIFIC at Symphony Hall.

Tuesday November 29 - Sunday December 4

Malvern's Forum Theatre presents SNOW WHITE ON ICE, featuring the Russian Ice Stars.

Thursday December 1

FETCH!, the epic story of a pet-sitter, comes to the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton.

Saturday December 3

To coincide with the release of their new album, A-HA begin their UK tour at the NEC Arena.

The NIA hosts the CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR event, with favourite classical music accompanied by lasers, lights and fireworks.

Children will love A SURPRISE FOR FARMER CHRISTMAS at the Swan Theatre.

The MIDLAND SINFONIA presents a candlelit concert at St Laurence Church in Alvechurch.

Saturday December 3 - Saturday December 10

Kidderminster's Rose Theatre presents Roald Dahl's CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

Sunday December 4

FEEDER play the NEC Arena as part of a winter tour.

Monday December 5

Dance band FAITHLESS end their winter tour at the NIA.

Tuesday December 6

Dance, acting and murder in the world of 1940s film noir, as Wolverhampton's Arena Theatre presents SILENT MOVIE.

Wednesday December 7

ALVIN STARDUST performs the greatest Christmas hits of all time at the Forum Theatre in Malvern.

Wednesday December 7 - Friday December 9

THE NIGHT FEVER PARTY recreates the disco era with a live band and a full company of singers and dancers at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Thursday December 8

1980s legend SHAKIN' STEVENS performs at the Alexandra Theatre.

Thursday December 8 - Thursday December 15

Birmingham Royal Ballet present the timeless story of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Hippodrome.

Saturday December 10

The legendary STATUS QUO appear at the NEC Arena to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

A TRADITIONAL CAROL CONCERT with Kidderminster Choral Society takes place at Hanbury Hall.

Worcester Cathedral hosts a CHAMBER CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT.

WORCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR performs festive music at Pershore Abbey.

Croome Park Church presents CAROLS AT CROOME, with the Malvern Priory Singers.

MALVERN HILLS BRASS BAND performs music with a seasonal flavour at Huntingdon Hall.

Sunday December 11

The NIA Academy plays host to JOOLS HOLLAND.

US rock band THE FOO FIGHTERS perform at the NEC Arena.

Monday December 12

Singer and pianist BEN FOLDS performs at the NIA Academy.

Monday December 12 - Saturday January 7

A special festive edition of a hit show - CHRISTMAS WITH THE RAT PACK at the Alexandra Theatre.

Tuesday December 13

Symphony Hall presents a lunchtime organ concert of CHRISTMAS MUSIC & CAROLS with the choristers of St George's Chapel in Windsor.

An EXCEPTIONAL WINE DINNER at Cotswold House, with top wine producer Michel Chapoutier.

A celebration of ABBA with top tribute act BJRN AGAIN at Malvern's Forum Theatre.

Tuesday December 13 - Saturday January 14

The Birmingham Rep presents a pair of comedic festive monologues: THE SANTALAND DIARIES and SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Wednesday December 14

Rula Lenska and The London Gay Men's Chorus provide festive fun in MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY at Symphony Hall.

Huntingdon Hall presents CAROLS & CAPERS, involving mediaeval and modern instruments.

Thursday December 15

BLONDIE perform at the NIA Academy, with new tracks as well as classic hits.

TENORS UNLIMITED perform at Cotswold House in an evening of festive food and entertainment.

Friday December 16

The London Concert Orchestra present a concert of classic seasonal songs in WHITE CHRISTMAS at Symphony Hall.

Nota Bene Vocal Ensemble present carols and readings in CHRISTMAS SPIRITS at the Norbury Theatre.

Saturday December 17

The annual CLIFF RICHARD TENNIS CLASSIC returns to the NIA for the last time, after notching up 23 entertaining years.

DURAN DURAN play the NEC Arena as part of their world tour.

THE SEARCHERS perform all their hits at the Forum Theatre, Malvern.

The JOY TO THE WORLD Christmas concert takes place at Worcester Cathedral.

PERSHORE CHORAL perform carols at Pershore Abbey.

Sunday December 18

The original members of THE POGUES have reformed for the third time to perform a series of shows, including this one at the NIA.

Monday December 19

ELAINE PAIGE performs songs from the musicals, as well as some festive music, at Symphony Hall.

Monday December 19 - Saturday December 31

A Christmas version of ROUND THE HORNE...REVISITED comes to Malvern's Forum Theatre.

Tuesday December 20

The Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton presents character comedy in THE JOY OF WINE.

Tuesday December 20 - Thursday December 22

The NEC is the venue for three hometown concerts by UB40, featuring classic songs and tracks from their new album.

Symphony Hall presents CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT, featuring the Mozart Festival Orchestra in full period costume.

Wednesday December 21

Go back to the 1970s with SING-A-LONG-A-ABBA at the NIA Academy.

Thursday December 22

Popular tribute band THE BOOTLEG BEATLES revisit the NIA Academy with a multi-media show.

Monday December 26

BOXING DAY CLASSICS at Symphony Hall, including a free glass of champagne for everyone!

Tuesday December 27 - Wednesday December 28

CBEEBIES LIVE! comes to the NIA, featuring characters like Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Pingu.

Thursday December 29

Symphony Hall presents a TCHAIKOVSKY GALA, featuring live muskets, cannons and indoor fireworks.

Thursday December 29 - Monday January 2

The NIA Academy plays host to spectacular show LORD OF THE DANCE.

Saturday December 31

A NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA at Symphony Hall, featuring an indoor firework finale.

Friday January 6

Welcome 2006 with VIENNESE NEW YEAR at Symphony Hall, featuring music by Strauss and other Viennese composers.

Tuesday January 10 - Saturday January 21

The Swan Theatre presents MOTHER GOOSE.

Thursday January 19 - Saturday January 21

Tactile Children's Theatre at the Birmingham Rep with IF ALL THE WORLD WERE MADE OF PAPER.

Friday January 20

A BURNS NIGHT DINNER at Cotswold House, complete with haggis and Scottish dancing.

Friday January 27 - Saturday January 28

Classic comedy in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at the Swan Theatre.

Monday January 30 - Saturday February 4

The classic tale of BILLY LIAR comes to the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster.

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES!

Wednesday November 30 - Tuesday January 31

The Birmingham Rep presents THE WIZARD OF OZ. (Includes 'Off To Oz' nights on Dec 9 and 22 and Jan 3 and 18, when the audience is encouraged to dress up and sing along!)

Friday December 2 - Saturday January 7

The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury presents SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Friday December 2 - Saturday January 14

Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre presents JACK & THE BEANSTALK.

Wednesday December 7 - Wednesday December 28

The story of JACK & THE BEANSTALK also comes to the Swan Theatre, starring Britt Ekland.

Friday December 16 - Sunday January 8

Ron Moody stars in PETER PAN at the Festival Theatre, Malvern.

Saturday December 17 - Saturday January 14

John Challis stars in ALADDIN at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Wednesday December 21 - Sunday January 29

Another version of PETER PAN, at the Hippodrome, starring Joe Pasquale.

Thursday January 12 - Saturday January 28

The Norbury Theatre presents a traditional Chinese treatment of ALADDIN.