A FESTIVE feast of musical merriment will be staged in Darlington next month.

At least 16 acts will entertain crowds at the Xmas Box Festival, taking place at two venues on Sunday, December 17.

Avalon will play host to bands including The Circus Villains and Abel Raise the Cain at the indie themed Winter Wonderland Stage.

Acts including Twist Helix and Ronald Raygun will also perform at Avalon, on the Retro Yuletide Stage, which will focus on Christmas nostalgia and electro-pop.

The Rooftop Grotto Stage at Hash – described as a “secret, festive hideaway with intimate acoustic folk and pop performances – will feature sets from Ridley Woof, George Bommsma and Eve Conway among others.

The festival will end with an aftershow party at the Hole in the Wall.

David Saunders from the music collective Tracks said: “Last year, with the help of Darlington BID (Business Improvement District) we put on a couple of shows in December.

“Both events attracted crowds of around 200 and introduced people, who might not normally come out to watch original live music, to what was going on in the local music scene.

“Sadly, we no longer have BID (due to it not being renewed) and so have taken it upon ourselves, with the help of Fifth Arch Brewery, Butterfly Effect Records and the venues involved, to try and bring a little seasonal cheer to the town.”

Doors open at 4pm. Tickets are £5 or £8 in advance and available from skiddle.com, Hash or the Hole in the Wall.