All aboard! What's On in South Devon

SANTA steam services are on the rails this weekend for young and old wanting a festive railway experience.

The services on the Paignton to Kingswear line, organised by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, run on December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24.

Passengers arrive at the brand new station in Paignton and travel to Kingswear and back with mince pie and mulled wine for the adults, or a homemade biscuit for the children.

Children's rides and entertainment will be included.

The train rides are just part of an exciting build-up to Christmas in South Devon.

SHOPPING

Cockington Court Craft Centre has Christmas events in December and there will be visits from Santa.

The court, which has recently been part of a £2.85million regeneration project, is home to 17 quality craft studios including jewellery, glass, wooden toys, prints, paintings and furniture as well as the Devon Guild Shop and a tempting chocolatier

Throughout December the craft studios and tea rooms will be open from 10am until 4pm daily until Christmas Eve.

Santa will be there on December 8 for the grand opening of his ‘Enchanted Grotto’.

Fleet Walk Shopping Centre in Torquay is packed with interesting independent stores and national chains.

“It is a hidden treasure and people don’t realise it, a part of Torquay that is going unnoticed,” said John Seymour, centre manager at Fleet Walk Shopping Centre.

There is late night shopping in Torquay town centre on Thursdays in December in the run-up to Christmas.

With the shops open until 9pm on December 6, 13 and 20, it’s the perfect opportunity to buy gifts for all the family, friends and loved ones.

Parking promotions will be taking place in Torbay Council car parks on these evenings.

THEATRE

4If you are left unsure of what musical to see in London’s West End, get a taster of the music from some of the famous productions by watching the show West End Now! at Babbacombe Theatre on Tuesday .

It brings together Babbacombe veterans as well as youngsters who have promising musical theatre careers ahead of them. It features songs from the likes of Chicago, Les Miserables and The Lion King.

Dawlish Repertory Company’s have tickets on sale for their pantomime Robinson Crusoe at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Dawlish.

The panto runs from January 4 to 12.

Be prepared for an evening full of colourful costumes and jolly songs.

MUSIC

Winner of best jazz artist in the recent MOBO Awards, Zoe Rahman will be playing the piano in a concert at Hannahs at Seale-Hayne on Sunday.

She will be taking part in the Mama Tokus and The Big Buzzard Boogie Band concert on at 1pm.

Zoe is one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene.

The Big Buzzard Boogie Band will be playing gospel jazz with a Christmas flavour.

The Wilderness team of Chris Aston, Nick Sharpe and Alex Downey have put together a ‘Madchester Celebration’ at the Attic in Torquay tomorrow night.

Off the back of a hugely successful Fab Beatles night and the recent Yes Sir Boss showcase, the team have assembled a night of tribute shows to some of the best-loved exponents of the Manchester sound.

Adored take to the stage with a set of the Stone Roses’ greatest hits before the massively popular Oasis tribute act Definitely Mightbe, who are now in their 12th year, finish the night in style.

This Sunday’s Parrotfest at the Apple and Parrot on Torquay harbourside boasts its best line-up yet.

Twelve bands will perform during the day and evening, including the Stone Angels, Mitch and Mace and the Dantes, acoustic folk/soul singer Owen Penrice, Longshore Drift and Blackwater.

Top folk act St Agnes Fountain return to the Ariel Centre at KEVICC in Totnes on Sunday.

David Hughes and Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie together with Chris While and Julie Matthews present an evening of superb musicianship and inventive arrangements.

The concert is promoted as a fundraiser by Harberton Cricket Club.