There's a lot of entertainment lined up this weekend as Christmas celebrations really get under way in the area.

*CHRISTMAS festivities kick off on Portland this afternoon with the Easton Promise event at Easton Square.

From 5pm there will be late night shopping in the square, a range of stalls, food and drinks, carols and a collection for Julia's House children's hospice around the Christmas tree. Don't miss Santa on the Rotary sleigh. The fun continues until 8.30pm.

*Experience the magic of Christmas at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park.

This December, be guided through Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park’s festive forest by Weymouth’s jolly elf to meet Father Christmas in his enchanting Christmas Cabin.

Arriving all the way from the North Pole tomorrow (10), Father Christmas will be residing in Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park until Christmas Eve and will be giving each child he meets a special SEA LIFE gift.

The magic doesn’t stop there; kids can also continue the festivities in Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park’s very own Christmas Craft Zone, where they can colour their own Christmas tree decorations or write their letter to Father Christmas!

Finally, finish the festive fun with a sumptuous hot chocolate and Christmas gingerbread or a delicious mince pie at the Festive Fayre. There’s something for everyone – whether you’ve been naughty or nice!

To book tickets go to www2.visitsealife.com/weymouth/discover/events/meet-father-christmas-at-sea-life/

*JOIN the Light Up a Life service in Hope Square, Weymouth, on Sunday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

Weldmar Hospicecare invites you to join in remembering loved ones and absent friends

Services provide you and your family with the opportunity to reflect and remember someone special. This year there are seven trees, each of which will be illuminated with hundreds of tiny white lights, each light representing treasured memories – learn more about all of the services on the Light up a Life web page see weld-hospice.org.uk/lightupalife

*CABARET songs that will make you smile will be performed in Martinstown Village Hall on Sunday December 11 from 7.30pm.

Lili La Scala is a one-of-a-kind performer with a cascade of vintage glamour and charm in her arsenal. It's easy to see why the little Diva with the big voice – nicknamed the Songbird of Trafalgar Square- has become a sell-out favourite worldwide.

See artsreach.co.uk for tickets.

*A CHRISTMAS 'Pan-tomime' begins at the Portland Borstal Officers Club, Grove Road, Portland tonight from 7.30pm.

IPADS is staging three performances of Peter Pan also including tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Relive this magical tale through stories and songs. Free parking and a bar will be available. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £4 for children. Call 0775 3235505 for more information.

*SHINE-ON with a beer and music festival at the Memorial Hall Upwey, Weymouth from 6pm tomorrow.

Offering various craft and real ales, plus food alongside a number of great bands, including the famous Fab Beatles and Margot Escargot themselves, the beautiful backdrop of the county museum will play host to a fantastic evening of music and festivities.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from Pinnow's Music in Hardye's Arcade.

*GERMAN comedy ambassador Henning Wehn will be providing an evening of Teutonic jolliness at the Electric Palace, Bridport, tonight.

After his last show tackled those well-known staples of light entertainment that are the British obsession with home ownership and the self-serving nature of most fundraising efforts, this time Henning’s having an unbiased look at immigration.

Contact the box office for tickets.

*WEST Gallery Carols will be sung at St Mary's Church in Winterborne Whitechurch, Blandford, from 7.30pm tonight.

With their roots in the South Dorset Ridgeway and inspired by the rich sources of locally collected folk songs and West Gallery carols, the Ridgeway Singers and Band led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries have once again tuned their fiddles and voices to present a joyous celebration of Christmas past and present, including works from the Puddletown and Hinton St Mary manuscripts together with newly composed carols in the Dorset tradition.

See artsreach.co.uk for tickets and more information.