Something for the weekend...

Tomorrow is your last chance to take part in Aldi’s nationwide ‘Give a Gift’ appeal for St Vincent de Paul.

1. Spirit of giving

This is the second year Aldi has been involved in the gift appeal which helps make Christmas magical for all children. It also ensures that  can help the families it supports have what they need this Christmas. You can drop an unwrapped new gift into any “Give a gift for SVP box” at your local Aldi store or you can make a donation online at www.svp.ie

2. A Carol-ing we will go

The annual Christmas Carol concert at Fota House takes place tomorrow and next Tuesday where more than 40 singers from The Carrigaline Choral Group get you into the spirit of the season. They have won five top awards at Choral Festivals in Waterford, Wicklow and the International Choral Festival in Cork. The choir will be supported by special guests Dan Twomey, tenor soloist, as seen on RTÉ’s The Voice and by classical guitarist Colin McLean. As in former years, complimentary wine and mince pies will be served at the interval.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost €25. Pre-booking is essential, on 021 4815543 or online: www.fotahouse.com

3. Christmas concert

The Cork Youth Orchestra’s (CYO) annual Christmas concert (far right) takes place on Saturday when conductor Tomás McCarthy will lead his highly talented charges into a festive foray at Cork City Hall. The evening Christmas Proms Concert takes place at 8pm with guests including Michael McCarthy, The Lee Singers and the Cork Arts Studio Youth Choir. The CYO are also putting on two special afternoon matinees where The Snowman, the ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (narrated by Pakie O’Callaghan) and Tubby the Tuba will be played, at 12 noon and 2pm.

Tickets from Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett St or on 021 4271659, Ticketmaster, O’Driscoll’s, Ballinlough or from a member of the orchestra. Tickets from €10.

4. Oh yes there is a panto for Crumlin

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin is hoping to raise up to €10,000 this Thursday with a special panto performance at The Helix of Jack and the Beanstalk. Ticket sales will aid the hospital and its groundbreaking research and cost €26 for adults, €22 for children and family tickets from €74.

A sell-out performance would help raise €10,000. Jack and the Beanstalk stars West End heartthrob Niall Sheehy, whose stunning voice has won him starring roles in Les Miserables, Wicked and Miss Saigon among others. www.thehelix.ie/event/jack-the-beanstalk/

5. Christmas cracker

A Christmas classic and one of the most popular ballets worldwide will be preformed by the Irish National Youth Ballet in the Pavillion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin on Friday for three days. This new, magical production is wrapped up in Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score and promises a sprinkle of magic in the festive season. Tickets cost from €8 with performances on Friday at noon and 8pm, at 3pm and 8pm on Saturday, and 2pm on Sunday. Contact 01231 2929 or www.paviliontheatre.ie

6. Grab a cab for the homeless

eCab Dublin has partnered with Dublin Simon Community to raise awareness of Dublin’s homeless crisis, while raising vital funds for the homeless this Christmas. The campaign, titled ‘Spare a Thought’, will see eCab donating €10 to Dublin Simon Community when anyone who downloads the eCab App in December, books a taxi and enters the ‘SIMON’ promotional code.

Taxi drivers from VIP Taxis, NRC and Xpert Taxis will wear Dublin Simon Santa Hats during the campaign to highlight the cause. The ecab app can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play stores.