STAGE: Aladdin: Bournemouth Pavilion. Kids TV presenter Chris Jarvis is back on the Bournemouth stage starring in and directing rags to riches favourite Aladdin. Jarvis is Wishee Washee, Mark Squire's is his mum Widow Twanky and Home and Away's Ray Meagher is the baddie at the Pavilion until January 8. Tickets 0870 111 3000.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Lighthouse, Poole Near legendary children's entertainer Brian Cant (Playschool, Playaway..... and the voice of Trumpton) returns to Poole with a splendid cast in this year's panto Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. With Louise Plowright as the Wicked Queen and Matthew Rixon as the Dame Nurse Slapper. Lots of Hi Ho-ing at Lighthouse until Saturday January 7. Tickets 01202 685222

Santa Claus The Musical: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. In a move away from panto the Mayflower's offering this year is festive fare in the form of family orientated musical theatre. Santa Claus the Musical which stars Anita Dobson, Gary Wilmot and Roy Barraclough runs until Sunday January 15. Tickets 023 8071 1811

The Wizard of Oz The Nuffield, Southampton The only Christmas show with ruby red slippers, indeed! Directed by Patrick Sandford, John Kane's RSC adaptation plays the Nuffield until January 7. Tickets: 023 8067 1771

Cinderella: The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne This year's family panto at the Tivoli - rags to riches favourite Cinderella - opens on Monday (December 19) and runs until New Year's Eve. Shows everyday except Christmas Day. Tickets 01202 885566

Merlin's Secret: Regent Centre, Christchurch. Writer and director Tim Heath and international illusionist Doctor Bondini bring this dramatic re-telling of the story of Merlin the Magician and the young King Arthur to the Regent Centre stage on Friday (Dec 23) With drama, comedy, magic, illusion and song and dance, it plays the Regent at 3.30pm and 7.30pm Tickets 01202 499148.

The Adventures of Tom Thumb: Various Venues Ringwood's travelling theatre company Forest Forge continues its tour of the south with it latest production The Adventures of Tom Thumb. The good thespians have a show at Itchen Abbas near Winchester on Friday (Dec 23) and King Edward's Hall at West Tytherly near Salisbury on Saturday (Dec 24). There is then a break until New Year. Tickets: 01425 470188.

That'll Be The Day Christmas Tour: Bournemouth International Centre Rock 'n' roll nostalgia musical That'll Be The Day is out on the road with a special Christmas show. With a soundtrack celebrating the hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s, it plays the BIC on Tuesday December 27. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Christmas Cracker Workshops: Bridport Arts Centre Enter into the Christmas spirit as the kidsArt education programme stages a day of workshops for youngsters aged six to 12 at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday (Dec 23). The sessions run from 10.30am to 3.00pm and offer story-telling, singing and a chance to make all kinds of Christmassy things. Telephone 01308 424204.

MUSIC: Soul II Soul: Landmarc Restaurant Lounge Welcome Christmas to the sound of smooth grooves and rhythmic beats when Soul II Soul play Bournemouth's new Landmarc Restaurant Lounge in Exter Road on Christmas Eve. Telephone 01202 589888/589868,

Santa's Jazz Band: Concorde Club, Eastleigh There's lunchtime fun and Christmas Eve festivities on offer at the Concorde Club between noon and 3.00pm on Saturday with music from Santa's Jazz Band. The celebrations continue in the evening with a special Christmas Eve Party Night from 8pm to 1am. Telephone 023 8061 3989.

The Rat Pack/Phat Funk/The Jamm/Ben Waters Band : Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone. Whatever your kind of music there will be something at Kyps this Christmas to set your toes tapping. Get on down to Lower Parkstone on Friday (Dec 23) for a super smooth classic Vegas style show by The Rat Pack. Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) its 70s style funk fun from Phat Funk on Tues (December 27) there's a tribute night The Jamm with the Paul Weller Connection and on Wednesday (Dec 28) there's sublime blues and boogie from keyboard wizard Ben Waters and his Band. The Tom Caulfield Band support. Tickets 01202 7489