Book now dates for your diary

From dates to mark out in your diary to tickets that are selling fast, these are the events not to miss…

1 DANCE

With snow, a magical tree and the Sugar Plum Fairy, all set to a score packed with Tchaikovsky tunes that everyone will recognise,

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House is a Christmas treat like no other. With seats from an amazing £4, from 3 December-15 January 2019 (roh.org.uk).

2 DESIGN

Scotland’s first design museum – V&A Dundee – is up and running. Get on board for its opening show, Ocean Liners: Speed and Style. Devoted to the design and cultural impact of the world’s greatest ocean liners, it examines them as powerful symbols of

20th century modernity. Until 24 February 2019 (vam.ac.uk/dundee).

3 LONDON ZOO

For an amazing after-dark experience, head for London Zoo, which is being transformed to create a stunning illuminated trail. The mile-long path features glistening lights, festive sights and sounds, plus wild animal sculptures. Selected dates, 22 November-1 January 2019 (christmasatlondonzoo.co.uk).

4 SHOW TIME

For a tiny town, Thursford in Norfolk certainly knows how to think big – its Christmas variety show, running since 1977, gets more ambitious every year. With top name dancers, singers and 65 musical numbers, from chart toppers to traditional carols, the Christmas Spectacular is set to welcome over 110,000 visitors. From 6 November23 December (thursford.com).

5 THEATRE

You wait ages for a Macbeth... then three come along at once. The National Theatre’s production tours until 23 March. The RSC at the Barbican casts Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack (until 18 Jan), while the National Youth Theatre’s gender fluid production is at the Garrick Theatre until 7 December.