If you want a break from last minute shopping we’re rounded up 10 of the top things to do.
5. Cinderella, Sunderland Empire, until January 5
Cinderella is running at Sunderland Empire until January 5. Scarlett Moffatt heads up the cast as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella which opens at Sunderland Empire this week. The panto will be running from December 13 to January 5 and also stars comedian Miss Rory as Rorina Hardup, Duncan Burt as her ugly sister Ruby, Nick Jnr’s Gemma Naylor (Go! Go! Go!) as Cinderella, ITV’s Superstars finalist Jon Moses as the Prince and Tom Whalley as Buttons for a photo call. Usually theatres spend months in negotiations with household names like Scarlett to appear in their pantos, but the I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner is such a regular to the High Street West theatre that she approached them for her debut panto performance. Photo: JPI Media
6. Winter Wonderland, Rainton Arena, Sunderland
Winter Wonderland is spreading festive magic at Rainton Arena, Houghton. Sunderland, every day until December 23. As well as Santa's Grotto, there's real reindeer, an ice rink, a craft marquee, tipi bar, fairground rides and a host of stalls selling food and drink. There's also a shopping area if you need to pick up some gifts. Entry is free, but the rink and the grotto will need to be paid for. Photo: JPI Media
7. Snow White, Customs House, South Shields, until January 5
As part of the Customs House's 25th Anniversary celebrations the Little Panto with the Big Heart presents Snow White. Come see their take on the classic fairytale, performed for the first time since its first festive season in 1994. The Evil Queen, having banished her fair sister in a mirror, is now forced to look after her ward Snow White. Driven evil by her jealousy, she wishes to dispose of the fairest in the land. Will Dame Bella and Arbuthnot save the day or will heroes Sniffy and Whiffy smell something is rotten in the state of Cooksonville and help the Prince of the North find his true love. Photo: Submitted
8. Santa's Naughty Little Elf, Customs House, South Shields
Santa's Naughty Little Elf is at Customs House, South Shields, until Christmas Eve. Santa’s Naughty Elf star Wayne Miller has announced that this year’s show, The Naughty Elves and the Shoemaker, will be his last outing as Elfluent. The actor celebrated 10 years of bringing Santa’s Naughty Elf to life last year and he will be a huge miss to a generation of children who have grown up with him. The ‘little panto for little ones’ was devised by The Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer in 2009 to complement the annual panto, with the aim of making the festive tradition more accessible to children under seven and their families. Photo: JPI Media