A fairy tale Christmas is being played out in the beautiful 100-year old Mirror Tent at BMW Group Plant until January 17 in Hans Christian Andersen’s Magical Tales. The show is being performed ‘in the round’ on a circular stage in the centre of this amazingly opulent structure. The cabaret-style seating allows the audience to sit at small, individual candle-lit tables to watch the performance, and audiences can also enjoy refreshments at their table before the show or in the interval. This Creation Theatre Christmas show is a rollercoaster ride through some of Hans Andersen’s best-loved fairytales – including The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea – but told as you’ve never seen them before. Box Office on 01865 766266 or at www.creationtheatre.co.uk Seeets, gingerbread and all manner of food are on the menu when Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company comes to a venue near you with an enchanting new production of Hansel & Gretel for family audiences around Oxfordshire until February. Hansel & Gretel is one of the Grimm brothers most loved and thrilling fairy stories about a mother and father deciding to leave their children in the forest. However, Hansel and Gretel soon discover that all is not as it seems and must use all their ingenuity to save each other.

Co-produced by Pegasus Theatre, Hansel & Gretel guarantees a few surprises and a fair helping of seasonal fun. For a full tour schedule got to www.ottc.org.uk but the company is visiting Uffington, Barton, Duns Tew, Dorchester, Shutford, Wimblington, Lains Barn, Charlbury, Bourton, Cassington, Buckland, Henley-on-Thames, Banbury, Little Milton and Horton-cum-Studley.

One of the most exciting forthcoming events in the area for all the family to enjoy is a vibrant and imaginative production of Arabian Nights opening at The Mill, Banbury, in January.

Scheherazade, the illustrious princess of the east, together with a team of 40 talented actors, will charm us with their exquisite stories of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, bringing a storybook world of magic and mystery to life.

From the witty antics of Ali Baba and the adventures of Aladdin, through to Sinbad’s mythical encounters in faraway and strange lands, ancient eastern tales will emerge with spectacular staging, quality acting, imaginative writing and will be great fun to watch. For tickets, call the box office on 01295 252050.

Chipping Norton Theatre’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty has been written exclusively by ex-Goodie Graeme Garden, for some of the best laughter-filled, sweetie-throwing, fairy tale fun to be had in Oxfordshire this Christmas.

Running until January 10, this panto has got a Dame, jokes, slapstick, songs and of course Chipping Norton’s traditional sweet-throwing routine. Andrew Wheaton is pictured right as King Ceour-de-Loup.

Box office on 01608 642350 or go online at www.chippingnortontheatre.com Oxford Playhouse’s version of Sleeping Beauty runs until January 18 and promises to be packed full of traditional panto treats and surprises, with singing and dancing, goodies and baddies, fun and games, all brought together in a magical fairytale.

Written and directed by ex-Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan, the slapstick sloth scene, and the all-singing all-dancing horse are already firm favourites.

Box Office on 01865 305305 or at www.oxfordplayhouse.com A brand new stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic, A Christmas Carol, comes to the OFS Studio until tomorrow night.

This spooky and magical evening is guaranteed to get you into the real spirit of the festive season. Box office on 0844 844 0662, or www.OFSstudio.org.uk The midwinter celebrations of Christmas past can be experienced at Sulgrave Manor on December 28 between 10.30am and 4pm.

The Tudor manor house has been decked with evergreens, the ashen faggot and Yule log have been brought in, the kissing ring is hung and visitors are invited to a taste of the midwinter festival of centuries far behind us.

The event starts in the Great Hall where the Lord or the Lady of the Manor – in full costume – ply visitors with a wonderfully seasonal welcome to launch Christmas 2008 and a look back to the traditions of yore.

They will then enjoy traditional music and hear about the wonderful dishes of food that were prepared for the household at Christmas in Tudor Times, accompanied by mulled wine, hot spiced apple and mince pies.

For details, call 01295 760205.

The new Arias On Ice tour begins with four performances at the Oxford Ice Rink on December 21 and 22.

The programme includes music based around themes such as the Fairy Tale scenario of Hansel and Gretel and the Magic Flute, atmospheric night pieces such as Walking In The Air and Song To The Moon, the colourful carnival warmth of Carmen, grand opera from Puccini and arias from La Bohème.

The programme doesn't just include opera but also features Christmas African/American spirituals such as This Little Light Of Mine, songs by Gershwin and other musical theatre favourites. The evening will also feature Christmas songs and end with carols for all to join in. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served. Tickets on 01865 735910.