Family fun for December

As winter draws in, it's tempting to try to hibernate and stay cosy on the sofa. But there's a whole world of family fun out there. Here are some of our favourites

Calling all Harry Potter fans
The ultimate Harry Potter experience is about to hit London's Trafalgar Studios. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience promises to condense all seven novels into a 70-minute show performed by just two actors. Can you stand the pace?
For more information, visit www.theambassadors.com.
Performances from 2 December to 3 January 2009

Bright lights on 4 December
Every year since 1947, the people of Oslo have donated a beautiful Norwegian Christmas tree to the people of London as a gesture of thanks from King Haakon VII who was exiled in London during WWII. Join the throng to witness the lights being turned on for the first time at 6.30pm on 4 December at Trafalgar Square, London.

Fashionista alert
No self-respecting fashionista would miss The Clothes Show Live at the Birmingham NEC from 5 -10 December 2008. This, the largest fashion and beauty event in the world, is divided into colour coded zones for high street fashion, chic boutiques, vintage, designer wear, fast fashion, accessories and beauty areas as well as the popular wellbeing zone. Each ticket includes a seat at the Fashion theatre for a catwalk show with over 40 models and dancers.

The Show will be open from 10am to 6pm on Friday 5th December and 9am to 6.30pm Saturday 6th to Wednesday 10th December.
Tickets from £24 (plus booking fee)
For more information, visit www.clothesshowlive.com

Don't be a pudding!
Cancer Research host The Great Pudding Race at London's Covent Garden at 11.30am on 6 December. Join the fun as teams in fancy dress run a relay around the market carrying a Christmas pudding on a tray while negotiating obstacles and being squirted with foam and water.
For more information about how to enter, go to www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk

VIP shopping experience
Shop West End VIP Day (Very Important Pedestrians) is back, this time for a whole weekend of shopping and entertainment. The West End will be entirely traffic-free on Saturday 6 December when Oxford Street and Regent Street will be entirely dedicated to pedestrians. Expect high-level entertainment with VIP treats, live music and celebrity appearances.

Although traffic returns on Sunday 7 December, the West End hosts a 'family day' full of fun-packed entertainment and games for kids of all ages.

What the Dickens?
Journey back in time in Rochester on 6 and 7 December and enjoy the life and works of Charles Dickens at the Dickensian Christmas Festival. After you take in the sights and sounds of the street entertainment, make time to enjoy a candlelit parade, guaranteed snowfall and a carol concert at the magnificent castle and cathedral.
For more information, go to www.medway.gov.uk

Do you know of an event we've missed? If so, please add it to the comments below.