* Children will enjoy this wonderfully wintery tale at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury today and tomorrow. The Snow Spider tells the tale of Gwyn Griffiths who receives a collection of strange gifts from his grandma on his ninth birthday, along with the news that he may be a magician. Set in the Welsh countryside, his magical ancestors and a curious snow spider lead him on the adventure of a lifetime, along with his young audience.

Call the box office on 01295 279002.

* Start your Christmas early by giving your child the magical chance to skate with Frosty the Snowman at Millets Farm from December 16. Spend 45 minutes skating with Frosty, followed by a yummy tea. Each child will then get their very own Frosty the Snowman to take home and enjoy.

Call 0800 954 9484.

* Near-ta Theatre’s fun, festive and fantastically funny comedy Christmas Time arrives at Cornerstone in Didcot tomorrow for ages 10+, depicting Christmas Day at Her Majesty’s pleasure and how the inmates create their own fun, enacting all things Christmas – from Dickens and panto to snowmen and Christmas dinner! Call the box office 01235 515 144 or see cornerstone-arts.org n Tickets to see Russell Brand’s Messiah Complex Tour are like gold dust but if you can get your hands on some get down to the New Theatre tomorrow night. Because while the title says it all Brand’s describes the show as “a dissection of various social and religious figures and the reality of their lives through comparisons of each other.”

Taking in Jesus, Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X and Hitler along the way, no one is safe from Brand’s brutally smooth, urbane musings which always have a sting in their tail. Suitable for ages 12 plus only.

Call the box office on 0844 871 3020 or atgtickets.com/oxford

* Fancy a bit of culture? Then try Doctor Faustus at OFS from Tuesday, December 17, until Saturday, December 21. when Oxford Theatre Guild breaths life into Christopher Marlowe’s classic tale about Doctor Faustus and his immortal soul.

See ticketsoxford.com or call 01865 305305.