Christmas at the Workhouse, The Workhouse Museum, Ripon, on Saturday, 11-4pm
Step back in time to experience an 1890’s Christmas at the Workhouse. Meet the many characters who inhabited the workhouse from the wealthy guardian handing out festive fruits to the inmates themselves, hoping for the best of good cheer.

There will be traditional craft activities, games, treats and trails, fun for all the family.

Experience an alternative to the modern day hustle and bustle by stepping back in time for this traditional Victorian Christmas treat. Relax in the Christmas pop up café and stock up on last minute original and unique gifts. 01765-690799. 

Teesdale Christmas Art Fair, The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, 10-4pm 
The Teesdale Christmas Art Fair at The Witham will present an exciting opportunity to buy unique works of art created by some of the most exciting, regional fine artists just in time for Christmas.

It will show a variety of work, from painting to sculpture, by artists working in or inspired by County Durham, Cumbria and Yorkshire. In order to keep quality high and the balance of work on display right, involvement in the Teesdale Art Fair is by selection. 01833-631107. 

Handel Messiah 2016, Royal Hall, Harrogate, on Saturday 
Once again the Royal Hall will be filled with the beautiful sound of Handel's Messiah, which for many signals the true start of the Christmas season. 
In their annual performance of this outstanding work Harrogate Choral Society will once again be joined by the acclaimed Manchester Camerata. Alongside the Choir will be a wealth of talented soloists, three of whom sang Messiah with HCS in Leeds last year where the reviewer noted that Sarah Power, Soprano, 'sang with beauty and ease; her entrancing tones delicately filling the huge nave'; Hannah Mason, Mezzo Soprano, 'provided a good and effective broader and contrasting tone, singing her recitatives and arias with a considerable sense of passion'; and Andrew Mahon, Bass, sang 'with a powerful sense of gravity'.

Completing the quartet will be Tenor Andrew Gavin, making his debut in Harrogate. Tickets on 01423-502116. 

The Northern Echo:

California Colours - Jenny and Geoff Morten exhibition, The Station, Richmond
Jenny Morten is a British ceramicist, trained at York School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design in London. She is a Professional member of the Craft Potters Association. Her work has covered the spectrum of clay. In the 1980's as co-founder and partner in J&G Ceramic Designs, based in Richmond, she made functional stoneware and designed for industry with many pieces selected for British Design Centre Awards. 
A teaching career followed including visiting lecturer for Kensington Institute London, Bishop Auckland College and Darlington College. 
Jenny and Geoff Morten lived at La Selva Beach on the Monterey Bay in California for nearly ten years.

An area of outstanding natural beauty, it is also a land of contrasts where surf culture meets agriculture. That setting provides the inspiration for the work on show here at The Station.

The title of the show highlights the dilemma of two artists faced with a land of contrasts and choosing to reflect the beauty of their surroundings and some of the tensions lying beneath the surface.

Following Geoff's death in 2009, Jenny returned to the UK where she has set up her studio and home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire showing her own work and Geoff's paintings, prints and etchings.

The Northern Echo:

The Snow Dragon, Arc, Stockton, on Saturday, 11.30am and 2.30pm
The night of the Snow Dragon approaches! Billy has everything a young goat could need, and more besides. On New Year’s Eve, Billy is looking forward to the annual visit of the legendary Snow Dragon. who will bring him even more goodies…

But when Billy bumps into some hungry wolves in the forest, New Year’s Day seems a long way off. How will Billy escape? And has he been naughty or nice? 
Toe-tapping songs and lots of laughs for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories, the company that brought you 'The Gruffalo'. On various dates and times until December 20. Book on 01642 525199 or via box.office@arconline.co.uk . 

Darlington Piano Society welcome Olivia Sham, The Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Sunday, 3-5pm
The society’s third recital of the season sees a welcome return to Olivia Sham, who last played for the society in 2011. Born in Australia, Olivia completed a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (The University of Sydney) and since 2011 has completed a Master of Music at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a Distinction. 

She has recently finished her doctorate on Liszt performance practice at the RAM, with the support of an Overseas Research Award and is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music. An active recitalist on both modern and historical instruments, her performance interests have taken her to museums and collections of musical instruments all over Europe and the UK. 
Her debut album, “Liszt and the Art of Remembering”, was released by Avie Records in November 2015. Tickets on 01325-388406.