Chriiiiiiiistmas time, mistletoe and....markets and swimming and ice skating and theatre and (breath) winter walks and Christmas lights and kite surfing and... all the best festive south westerly events Cliff Richard forgot. We at Stranger have been rustling around trying to find (no, not our Christmas presents, Santa hasn't brought them yet) the most exciting goings on in and around Cornwall in December and January.  Hold on to your woolly hats!

Black Xmas
Had enough of those Christmas jingles yet? Try something a little different and get down to the Black Xmas rock tour hosted by PressPlayME, showcasing the "greatest rockbands Cornwall has to offer".
Elipsis, Lioness and Oracy headline.

Redruth 11th December
www.gaslightsbar.co.uk

Jelly Jazz Christmas Party
Boogie on down to some funky beats and shake off those mince pies to some tropical tunes with Quantic DJ set (tru thoughts), Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz, Phonic FM) and live Cornish 7-piece funk band, The Underbelly.

Saturday 12th December 9pm-2am
www.sandsiftervenue.com

Magical Snow Dome Making Workshop
Saturday 12th December, 10am-12noon & 2-4.30pm
The Engine Room @ The Exchange, Penzance
£2 per participant

Late Night Opening The Exchange
Mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas decoration making activities...add a bit of seasonal magic to your shopping experience. The Shop of Stories Festive Bazaar Christmas card making workshop will be open from 5-7pm

Thursday 17th  December 5-8pm

Extreme Academy
Fancy a bit of mountain boarding, wave skiing or kite surfing perhaps? Nothing like bombing around in the sea or sand to wake you out of Christmas television coma. The Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay are offering all manner of daredevil activities over December. If you're too scared, you can always buy a session for someone braver and watch from the beach café. Visit www.extremeacademy.com for more information or call 01637 860840.

Miracle Theatre - Rumpelstiltskin
Miracle Theatre presents The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin. Taking inspiration from  the 'heydey of Georgian style theatre and the birth of pantomime' and staring handsome princes and mechanical swans, this is Christmas theatre with a difference. Miracle Theatre are known for performing in alternative venues and this year shows are running at Porthtowan village hall and Perranporth memorial hall. Visit www.miracletheatre.co.uk for more information.

Perranporth Memorial Hall
Wed 16th December 2009

Nil Desperandum
An exhibition of contemporary art by local, national and international artists exploring themes of storytelling and cultural identity. The show seeks to explore and confront ideas about folklore and tradition, fact and fiction.

Sat 12th December 2009 to Thu 24th Dec 2009
Address: Knill House, 50 Fore Street, St. Ives, TR26 1HE
www.sallynoall.co.uk

From Shadows
A cinematic film festival from the forefront of film, music, skateboarding and waveriding. Opening with From Shadows, a 30-minute feature showcasing local surfers Tom Lowe and Jack Johns riding some of Ireland's sickest waves. The night closes with music from Dave Spencley (Sir Vinyl of the Fattest) and Cornish band, Strays.

St John's Hall, Penzance. Thursday 17th December 7pm-2am.
Visit www.slutclothing.com for tickets.

Scrooge The Musical
Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust present Scrooge The Musical. The Society performed its firts show in 1909 and continue the annual pantomime tradition with an original take on the classic Charles Dicken's story 'A Christmas Carrol'.

Tue 15th Dec 2009 to Sat 19th Dec 2009
The Regal Theatre, Redruth
For Ticket Bookings, call 01209 216278  

Ice Skating at Eden
Don't think "not that old chestnut" (geddit?...) because if you have never been to Eden's atmospheric ice rink you're missing out. Perfectly pretty afternoon whether you're with the family, looking for a romantic night for two, or just want to have some wintery fun.

Tel: 01726 811972 for more information or visit www.edenproject.com

Christmas and Boxing day swimming
If you live anywhere near the sea, aka Cornwall, you're sure to find a beach somewhere hosting a Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day swim. Whether you decide to join in yourself or watch from the relative comfort of your coat, it's guaranteed to be a great atmosphere. Trevaunance Cove, Polkerris, Bude, Portreath and Sennen are popular spots whilst swimmers at Coverack, one of the biggest events, wear fancy dress to raise money for charity.

The Sifter Strikes Back
Star Wars break out on New Years Eve at the Sandsifter. With AlBenAa playing the front bar, Parker and Aldo Vanucci working the decks in the back, this year is set to be a stellar treat.

Sandsifter, December 31st. Visit www.sandsiftervenue.com for more information on the event and discount Star Wars fancy dress.

St Ives Fancy Dress Party
Love it or hate it, this event has become a legendary part of the Christmas holiday calendar. Owing to its lack of official organisation, this event is driven by the thousands of people who descend on the town each year to enjoy the jovial atmosphere. Trying to park in the town is not advised due to limited space but prepare well for the weather and your guaranteed a memorable night!

December 31st, St Ives

The Joyful Bewilderment
Curated by the Outcrowd Collective (Stranger contributors Simon Peplow, Marcus Oakley and Holly Wales, plus Lawrence Roper), the Joyful Bewilderment is an international group exhibition showcasing the outpourings of over 100 like-minded image-makers. The exhibition features works in various mediums along with photographic images that celebrate 'everyday happenstances'. The works offer 'a subconscious social commentary on the uncertainty of the times we are all living in'. Get down to the Here and Now Gallery in Falmouth to check it out, and read our feature in LICK if you want to know more.

Here and Now Gallery from 12th December 2009 - 21st February 2010
www.joyfullbewilderment.com